Amanda Tapping to Leave Stargate Atlantis
Yesterday I reported that Sanctuary had been picked up by the Sci Fi Channel. Now, as a result, Sanctuary’s lead Amanda Tapping will be departing from a full time role on Stargate Atlantis. On top of that, a casting announcement is coming this Monday!
It isn’t a surprise, and no one is overly upset to see her go. That isn’t to say that we haven’t loved her on Stargate Atlantis, but for Amanda to pursue such a different and exciting role in that of Dr. Helen Magnus in Sanctuary is awesome.
“We love the Samantha Carter character and have always enjoyed writing for her,” Joseph Mallozzi said. “She was a great addition to Atlantis’s fourth season and, while she will be missed, it’s not as if we’re closing the door on her. Carter will remain a major player in the Stargate universe as well as a guest star on Atlantis’s fifth season.”
Mallozzi is the executive producer and show-runner (with Paul Mullie) for Atlantis’s current season and upcoming fifth season, and has worked with Tapping for some time now. So it was only natural for him to tease upcoming reveals on his own blog. All will be revealed on Monday, when the Sci Fi Channel makes a press release, so we’ll have to wait until then for it.
“As stated in the SciFi press release,” Mallozzi said on his blog, “Amanda will guest star on Atlantis’s fifth season - but the exact number of appearances by Colonel Carter will be wholly dependant on Amanda’s availability and the types of stories we have in the works. Still, Carter will be one of a number of familiar faces that will be popping up in the Pegasus Galaxy in season 5 - including a new commander.”
That’s right; the casting announcement on Monday is going to reveal just who the new boss is. Mallozzi continues saying “Remember way back, when I said we had considered a handful of possible candidates for the command position at the beginning of season 4? Well this person made that short list then, and we’re VERY excited about his/her/its(?) addition to our cast of regulars. As for who it is and what other little surprises we have in store…head on over to the SciFi site Monday morning and start refreshing.”
So stay tuned to find out just who it is that will be heading up the Atlantis expedition, and whatever else Sci Fi have waiting for us.
For my money, it isn’t going to be a past member of SG-1. As much as I would love to see Daniel Jackson back on a Stargate show as a regular, I’m fairly certain it isn’t going to happen. Tapping was a rare case, as she was the one who wanted to continue in the Stargate franchise.
The two ship commanders – Mitch Pileggi (Colonel Steven Caldwell) and Michael Beach (Colonel Abe Ellis) – are contenders, with Pileggi as my choice. I have loved his character from the moment he stepped on to the station, and as for Pileggi… no words can describe the fanboy-ish crush I have on him.
Needless to say, I’ll be following Mallozzi’s instructions and refreshing madly Monday morning.
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I rejoice at Amanda’s new opportunities. As *wonderful* as she has been as Colonel Carter, every actor likes new challenges. I wish her well.
And oh my GOD, I am SO with you on wanting Mitch Pileggi to take over as Colonel Caldwell. He would be amazing as a regular on the show. And hot. Maybe they’ll find him a love interest? And did I mention he’s hot?