Stargate Atlantis has two new cast members this season. Many of you know Amanda Tapping from the hit series Stargate SG1, which aired for a record-breaking 10 years on SCI FI. Others may know Jewel Staite from the quirky, fun—short-lived, SCI FI series Firefly. However you know them, you know they are both exceptionally talented and Atlantis is lucky to have them!

Tapping continues her role as Samantha Carter from SG1, only she will rise up the ladder into a more commanding position now that Dr. Elizabeth Weir is all but gone. Staite comes on as the new Atlantian doctor (Dr. Jennifer Keller) after the untimely demise of the beloved Dr. Beckett.

With so many new developments, both Amanda and Jewel have a lot to say regarding the upcoming season—sure to knock viewers out of this world!

Now that Colonel Samantha Carter has taken on a new role as commander at Atlantis in this new season, her particular character arc has changed drastically from its norm on the SG1 series.

"I think for her she’s finding her strength. She’s not letting any of the chinks in her armor show, obviously, but she’s finding a quiet inner strength as the season goes on," says Tapping.

Carter isn't all strength and armor, however, she is struggling with a few things too. "I think Carter is struggling with, in some ways, a certain amount of loneliness, sort of the heavy is the head that wears the crown."

"She can’t fraternize in a relationship with any of the people that she’s working with, and so because she’s the leader, it’s not like she can become buddy-buddy. She’s used to that sense of camaraderie that she had on SG1, so it’s a little bit lonelier for her, I think. And I think what it will show is, as the season progresses you’ll see it come out, is the quieter strength of her character, as opposed to the kind of Carter bravado that, 'I know what I’m doing and here let me explain this situation to you,' like she was so used to doing. Now it’s a little different," explains Tapping.

That isn't to say girls don't just wanna have fun, even if they are commanding officers... "There’s a couple of scenes right off the top that are very funny between the two of them [McKay and Carter], and I mean laugh out loud funny, for me when I read them... and then she backs off," says Tapping.

Of course, laughter aside, Carter must learn to lead and coexist with her fellow crew and there is a respect developed amongst the characters. "She really does allow McKay his chance to shine and she doesn’t want to usurp his power. She does the same with Sheppard. She really backs off a lot in terms of that sibling type of rivalry. She knows that she can’t really go there, especially publicly, with McKay."

"There’s the odd barb because she can’t help herself and because he’s McKay. But there’s an episode coming up towards the end where the relationship comes back again. That sort of sibling snarkiness comes back. There’s a different amount of respect that she has for McKay now because he’s in a different position and she has to respect where he is. So it’s a more respectful relationship in a lot of ways. Not without its humor, though," Tapping laughs.

Carter isn't the only new kid on the block trying to fit in this season. Dr. Jennifer Keller (Staite) has a few things to prove as the new Atlantian doctor, who successfully develops a growing dynamic between the characters. Staite comments, "She’s got a lot of complexities and she’s a lot of fun. There’s definitely a lot of surprises coming to her personality later on in the season."

Keller is also somewhat flirtatious. "Yeah, she’s a bit of a flirt. I don’t know where that came from. I always play these shameless flirts. I don’t know why that is. It has nothing to do with me," says Staite, "I can hear you giggling Amanda!"

"There’s some unexpected romances happening that even surprised me, and yeah, they’ll definitely come to the fans as quite a surprise, too," says Staite.

With both cast members kneading their way into their roles on Atlantis, there is bound to be one episode where things start to click. "Quarantine," says Tapping. Staite agrees.

"[It] brings everyone together even though we spend the entire episode separated," explains Tapping.

"Yeah," says Staite, "I think Quarantine put the characters in a position where they absolutely have no choice but to bond."

Tapping continues, "At the end there’s a realization that we almost lost Atlantis and…there’s a renewed sort of vigor in terms of protecting it."

Staite reflects, "Right, but I think for me, Trio, the one that we just shot, was a turning point for Keller, especially since she was with Carter who she really respects, and she was with McKay who she really respects, as well, and kind of got to prove herself to the both of them."

"Yeah, we just finished shooting that and it was so much fun," says Tapping.

"It was really hard work, but it was really, really fun. I didn’t expect it to be that fun. We did a lot of laughing," bounces Staite, "That blooper reel is going to be two hours long."

What might appear on that blooper reel you ask?

"Well on the last episode Jewel and David and I were stuck in a hideous set covered in dirt, and on angle, in this little metal box, and so we decided to come up with a new show," Tapping laughs.

"It’s called Stargate Titanic: the Musical. And it’s specifically for small town dinner theater, and we just started writing and singing and dancing about the set. I hope some of it appeared on camera because it was really quite hilarious."

"David singing a song about the wraith... the wraith... they’re a very bad race. It sounds really silly, but it got us through the day. I think most of the blooper reels will be us cracking each other up. Everyone on the cast has a really good sense of humor, so generally it’s just people making each other laugh. And of course, The Stargate Titanic: the Musical," she giggles.

With the first episode of the season making its way to the tele Friday night, fans are certainly in for a treat as these new character additions bring a fabulous chemistry to the series. Amanda Tapping and Jewel Staite—what a wonderful duo!

Stargate Atlantis premieres Friday, September 28 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SCI FI.

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JessicaM   |2007-09-28 07:28:51 I think this interview was great! I actually really like the show and I am a fan from sg-1 as well. I have always admired Amanda Tapping so I am really happy she is on Atlantis now. Reply 0   0

KC   |2007-09-28 01:26:33 Great interview! These two sound like a blast to work with and to interview! Reply 0   0

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3.25 Copyright (C) 2007 Alain Georgette / Copyright (C) 2006 Frantisek Hliva. All rights reserved."