Press Release: SCI FI Wire
SCI FI Channel’s original series Stargate Atlantis will begin production later this month on its fifth season, the channel announced. The 20-episode season will include the series’ benchmark 100th episode.
Fan favorite Paul McGillion will return for five episodes to reprise his role as Dr. Carson Beckett. Amanda Tapping (Col. Samantha Carter) will appear as a special guest star in several episodes, and Stargate SG-1 star Michael Shanks (Dr. Daniel Jackson) will appear as a special guest in episodes as well.
Robert Picardo, who plays International Oversight Committee rep Richard Woolsey, joins the Atlantis cast this season as Woolsey assumes command of the Atlantis expedition. The team, led by Lt. Col. Sheppard (Joe Flanigan), Dr. Rodney McKay (David Hewlett), Teyla (Rachel Luttrell), Ronon (Jason Momoa) and Dr. Jennifer Keller (Jewel Staite), must adjust to his unique leadership style.
In the fifth season, the status quo is shaken following the events of season four, which is currently airing on SCI FI Fridays at 10 p.m. ET/PT. Cherished friends are lost, others are found. New alliances are forged while new races are introduced.
Produced and distributed by MGM Television, Stargate Atlantis is filmed in Vancouver, Canada. The series is executive-produced by Brad Wright, Robert Cooper, Joseph Mallozzi, Paul Mullie, Carl Binder and Martin Gero. Mallozzi and Mullie share the reins as show runners.
Kyle Nin says
I know some people think Woolsey in charge of Atlantis is a bad idea, considering what kind of person he is. But his appointment to that position DOES make sense in the context of the storyline, so at least the writers aren’t putting someone in there that is popular, yet doesn’t fit.
I’m willing to see where it all goes.
Arkle says
So, um, why does Carter leave?
Sam says
To Arkle: Amanda will need more time for Sanctuary, her web-based series that was just picked up by the SCI FI Channel for television viewing. She will be pretty busy with that now. They are shooting a 2hr debut episode and all new weekly episodes of the popular online series for SCI FI.
Arkle says
OK, that’s why Amanda won’t be back, but I was asking about Carter. ๐
Sam says
Ah….I could guess, but that would probably upset Joe Mallozzi. ๐
Sam says
Not sure how one could consider what I said a cheap shot. Thankfully Joe does does have a good sense of humor and wouldn’t see my comment as anything other than a light moment of jesting.
Slice of SciFi hasn’t changed one bit from what we have been all along for the last 3 years and will continue to be, a place that does our best to get news out, some of it based on known fact and some on a best guess scenario based on the information we have on hand up to press time. Also a place for members of the entertainment industry to come and share their wares for fans to enjoy and a mouthpiece for them as well and a sounding board for fans to be able to express themselves freely in these comment sections without fear of being shut down, unless they cross those lines of improper online behavior.
I appreciate that you use to hold us in good regard, and since we haven’t really changed even a smidge, hopefully you can reassess and recognize the regard is still present. If nothing else, I and all here at Slice, still hold you and all our fans in very high regard, even when we might see things differently.
Morjana says
Sam, considering the veracity of your earlier “news” story:
http://www.sliceofscifi.com/2008/02/03/stargate-atlantis-season-5-who-goes-stays-cuts-back/
your comment, “I could guess, but that would probably upset Joe Mallozzi” is a cheap shot, and not worthy of the previous regard that I **used** to have for Slice of SciFi.
Angela says
I’m sad Amanda will be mostly out of the Stargate community now, but at least I have Ark of Truth to look forward to on March 11th. (http://www.myspace.com/stargatearkoftruth).
Atlantis season 5 sounds good though… some new faces
Jang Jong-Ho says
I’m Stargate Fan in Korea.
I feel sorry about Sam’s leaving.
She just adjusted in Atlantis.
(Actually, I can’t find any characteristic about Sam in SG-1.She doesn’t look like an air-force but a leader and doctor.”Except her in ‘Trio'” She really looked like a Colonel. …but maybe I’m wrong.)
I think I’ll miss her…but she will be in season 5 several times.I can depend on it.
I also expect other interesting stories with Richard Woolsey.It will be funny.
And I wonder that ; I heard that Gen.Landry will appear in season 4, but I didn’t see him whenever atlantis team visits SGC(in ‘Miller’s Crossing’, ‘Outcast’ and ‘Midway’).
Can I see him at the last episode, ‘The Last Man’??
rasthaman says
Wolsy is a verry bad idea, and that dr, keller is not good, she even can’t say a dialog as carson, so I think carson must have his place back & wolsy should go to hell, I hate that man, and by the way, we will be glad if we can have elisebeth back on line,
Mike says
By now you must have figured out that according to the timeline of the last episode , woolsey is in charge of atlantis and sam is given a command of a new ship – The Pheonix…
black Cat says
I am Hoping the season 5 will be air in AS Soon AS Possible.I hope to see Carson Beckett ,Lt Ford and Dr Wier .The story is cool.Plez NO NO RICHERD WOOLSEY NO NO at least Jack O’neill , Dr Jackson Or Gen Landry
MIsty says
I could careless one way or the other about Sam and Woosley. They are going to put him in there to shake the viewers up. Thats HOLLYWOOD. They know what they are doing and it WILL be good. I want to know WHEN season 5 will start. I REALLY REALLY want to know what happens NEXT. They always leave you hanging between seasons and I HATE THAT. I still havent seen what happens to Shepard after he is 48,000 years into the future… When does season 4 release on DVD? Those are my questions.
Swiss says
In oder what we saw in “The Last Man” Woolsey was only in charge of Atlantis, because of the inconvenient timeline. You still can restore a better timeline AND LET WOOLSEY STAY OUT of Atlantis in Season 5!! Bring Sam back!!
It’s not too late, right?
Michael says
While I love Samantha Carter – I just don’t see her as the leader of Atlantis. She’s a girl of action.
I think Woolsey may be a good fit. He’s a decent fellow, just narrow minded – a few episodes in Atlantis can have a logical profound change in who he is – just like McKay who was a total Jerk in SG1 but became a person of character in SGA.
I’d love to see them bring Lt. Aiden Ford back as well for an episode or three (or a season …)
Nick says
To MIsty: the end of “the last man” clearly shows us that Sheppord, Ronan, McKay, Lorne, and a bunch of marines got trapped in one of michaels’ labs that he wanted teyla to have the baby in when the booby-trap activated which caused the building to collapse. (Just to remind everyone).
Richard says
I was wondering when season 5 of stargate atlantis appears on television, please email me and let me know thanks!
ERRREEGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG says
SEASON FIVE PREMIERS ON JULLY 11 RIGHT
Valdir says
I can believe that RICHERD WOOLSEY will be a cast!!!!
Bring Ainden Ford back….
Let’s see who is more strong!! Him or Michael…
At least he could be the one behind of Michael…. or Michael begin his new race due to Ford condition??? ๐ Who Knows???!!!!
TheMonk says
What this show really needs is RDA … He was the coolest and there can be no better. Will need to do something about the chubbby cheeks though.
Maeve says
Is there not going 2 be a sixth series:'(
Kirsty says
well i just finished watching season 4 on dvd n it was brilliant. but now i am at a loss for being in australia i have no way of seeing season 5 for a while n it is frustrating i just hope it comes out on dvd as fast as posable. but i know it will take a while seen as season 4 only just recently came out n season 5 only aired in america in july. h well back to waiting i guess.
Kirsty says
meant to put season 4 only just recently came out ‘on dvd’
MACCCCCF says
WE NEED PEOPLE ACROSS THE GLOBE AND HERE IN THE U.S. ESPECIALLY IN CALIFORNIA NEAR THE MGM STUDIOS TO PITCH THIS IDEA TO SAVE ATLANTIS.
THE REASON MGM IS CANCELING THE SHOW IS BECAUSE THE COST PER EPISODE WENT FROM 500,000 USD JUMPED TO 1.4 TO 1.8 MILLION USD. THEY SIMPLY CAN\’T AFFORD TO MAKE THEM ANYMORE.
BUT WITH UR HELP THAT\’S THE SGA FANS ACROSS THE WORLD. AT GETTING THIS IDEA TO THE CEO’S AND EXECS AT BOTH MGM AND SCI-FI by CALLING IN OR E-MAILING OR PERSONALLY GOING DOWN THERE AND PITCHING THE IDEA. WE CAN SAVE ATLANTIS
ME PERSONALLY I\’D BE HAPPY PAYING PER EPISODE THAN FOR 1 OR 2 MOVIES (THAT ABOUT FOUR EPISODES)PER YEAR AT THE RATE OF 20 USD PER MOVIE.
THAT MEANS UR PAYING 10 USD PER EPISODE BUT YOU WILL ONLY SEE ABOUT FOUR EPISODES PER YEAR. NOW MY IDEA.
THE IDEA
MGM SHOULD CONTINUE MAKING THE EPISODES BUT INSTEAD OF SHOWING THEM ON T.V. (EATING UP A LOT OF AIR TIME OR A LOT OF MONEY) THEY SHOULD BROADCAST THEM ONLINE AS WEBISODES ON SCI-FI.COM OR MGM.COM AND CHARGE AROUND 5 USD PER EPISODE. WITH OVER 100 MILLION VIEWERS WORLD WIDE THATS MORE THAN ENOUGH MONEY TO KEEP
STARGATE ATLANTIS RUNNING FOR MANY YEARS TO COME AND MAYBE EVEN BRING BACK SG-1. SO I KNOW IT SOUNDS EXPENSIVE BUT ID RATHER SPEND 5 USD PER EPISODE THEN SEE MY FAVORITE SHOW GET CANCELED
WOULD YOU?
KellyUK says
Er, I’m from the UK and have been collecting the Stargate SG1 and Atlantis DVd magazines for years now, I finally got number 90, end of Season 3 and found out that they won’t be publishing the 4th and 5th seasons!
So, I went out and bought the 4th season box set 3 days ago and have just finished watching it. Loved it, BUT can anyone tell me when Season 5 is going to be released on DVD boxset in the UK??? Even a rough guess!
Unfortunately, I’m not a particularly patient person and I’d like to know if everyone is ok, though in all honestly, I’m not overly concerned about Richard Woolsey. Unless Shepherd and the gang make a habit of ignoring their commanding officer’s orders, I can’t see them being able to do much! But I will persevere because I desperately want to see that Teyla and her baby are ok!!!
So anyone, any ideas???
joel hart says
I don’t know if the $ amount per episode is right but I think they could look at it like this
A good movie runs 10 million and way more so 22 episodes would be about 25 to 30 million.
The could just pre sell season dvd sets and have all the cash they could ever need. I for one would gladly prepay for seasons 6-20 to keep the show allive
I don’t know how may sets of season 1-4 were sold world wide. But if there are 100 million true fans world wide then even at 1 usd per disk set that’s 100 million for approx 30 million in production costs
With numbers like this I really don’t think it is money problems that caused them to cancel the show. My guess is people are just tired of doing STG. Face it tis going on 15 years. Burn out burn out
Maybe all fans could pich in 10 bucks each and we could buy STG and continue with those cast members and other staff that want and then add some new people as needed
Don’t laugh money talks