Atlantis returns to SCI FI in September

The fourth season of Stargate Atlantis will make it U.S. premiere this September, SCI FI Channel announced yesterday.

Amanda Tapping will join the regular cast as the newly promoted Colonel Samantha Carter, as Torri Higginson (“Elizabeth Weir”) departs. Firefly‘s Jewel Staite will also appear as a recurring character throughout Season Four.

With filming on the fourth season wrapping in early October, a decision about the show’s renewal for a fifth year must be made quickly by SCI FI. The decision will be based in part on Season Three’s ratings performance, but the September premiere means that the network — should it decide to wait until the fall to make its final decision — will also get to see the ratings numbers for the first few episodes of the season.

It is the first time in its 10-year history that the Stargate franchise will air new episodes during the busy and competitive fall season.

There is no news yet on whether SCI FI will give fans the first world premiere of Season Four, or if broadcasters in Canada or the U.K. might beat them to the punch again. The fact that the second half of Season Three had aired months before in Canada (and was therefore available online) is widely regarded as one factor in the show’s ratings drop in the United States.

Canada’s Movie Network is currently listing Season Three reruns through at least July.

Learn more about Season Four in GateWorld’s episode guide!