Staite talks Atlantis Season Four

Stargate Atlantis‘s newest recurring guest star is ready for the show’s fourth season, which enters production this February in Vancouver, British Columbia. Jewel Staite recently discussed her casting on the series and her new character at her blog.

Beware of spoilers for the second half of Season Three!

Staite will reportedly play Dr. Keller, a brilliant young medical doctor, in Season Four. The show’s need for a new doctor follows on the disappearance of Dr. Carson Beckett (Paul McGillion) late in the current season (story). “I know it’s finally been revealed that Paul McGillion is leaving the show,” Staite wrote to fans, “and since I’m coming on the show, a lot of you have it in your head that I’m ‘replacing’ him. First of all, our characters are quite different from each other. … [And] I’m not a regular cast member and I’ve only signed on to do a certain number of episodes (not 15 — or at least that was news to me when I heard that on the Internet!).

“One thing I should tell you is that Paul and I are very close friends. He lives three blocks away from me (in my mom’s building — how weird and random is that?) and we see each other all the time. I can honestly say he’s one of the sweetest and most lovely people to work with (the crew of Atlantis raves about him), and I really just adore him.”

Staite would not reveal anything about the plot developments that lead to Dr. Beckett’s absense next season, but did express her own excitement over joining the show.

“I can’t comment on the why in terms of his character’s absense in the next season,” she said, “but the best thing about sci-fi is nothing is forever! … I’m really excited about coming on to Atlantis and playing another prodigy — genius mechanic to genius doctor, I am truly moving up in the world! Maybe next time I’ll play the president!” (Staite played the brilliant young ship’s mechanic Kaylee Frye in the short-lived FOX series Firefly.)

“Just please have an open mind, and don’t hate me — it’s not my fault,” she added. “I’m just an actor who jumped at the chance to work with a really fun cast in my favorite city (mine) and play a young smarty-pants M.D. with a cool uniform. Can you blame me?”

New episodes of Stargate Atlantis return to the U.S. in April! Keep your browser locked on GateWorld for the latest developments.