Stargate SG-1 co-star Amanda Tapping (“Samantha Carter”) will appear in 15 of Season Nine’s 20 episodes, the actress confirmed in a message on her official Web site. Tapping plans to return to work in May following the mid-March birth of her child, likely missing the first five episodes of the hit show’s upcoming season.
The hole left in the cast will be filled by Farscape actress Claudia Black, who will reprise her character from the upcoming episode “Prometheus Unbound” in a 5-episode story arc (story).
Tapping’s announcement makes it unlikely that the two will appear in any early Season Nine episodes together, though the producers may choose to bring back Black later in the series.
The second half of Season Eight returns to SCI FI with brand new episodes on Friday, January 21! Season Nine begins this summer.
(Thanks to Denise for the tip)