Jason Momoa cast as Ronon Dex

The newest Stargate Atlantis cast member is 25-year-old actor Jason Momoa, executive producer Brad Wright told GateWorld and Variety confirmed last week. Six-foot-five Momoa will play Ronon Dex, a human native to the Pegasus Galaxy who joins Major Sheppard’s team after living a solitary life on the run from the Wraith for seven years.

Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, Momoa is a relative newcomer to the film and television industry. He was raised in Iowa before returning to Hawaii to connect with his roots, and became a model — earning the award for Hawaii’s Model of the Year in 1999.

In his brief acting career Momoa has appeared in FOX’s North Shore (“Frankie” the bartender), Baywatch (“Jason Ioane”), “Johnson Family Vacation,” and the TV movie “Tempted.”

Momoa will reportedly make his Atlantis debut in “Runner” (story) which is likely to air as the third episode of Season Two.

(Thanks to Dibbs, Wass, and TJ for the tip!)