Mallozzi and Mullie preview Season Four

The first images of Stargate Atlantis‘s highly anticipated fourth season are finally here, courtesy of a new interview with executive producers Joseph Mallozzi and Paul Mullie. The nearly 6-minute video interview is now online at MGM’s new, official Stargate Web site: Stargate.MGM.com (via StargateAtlantis.com – QuickTime required).

“One of the nice things that the Carter character gives us is she’s so multi-faceted,” Mallozzi said of the show’s newest regular character, brought over from Atlantis‘s sister show after its cancellation. “She doesn’t have to be stuck behind a desk. Even though she’s the leader of Atlantis she has a military background, so she can go out on ops. On the other hand, she’s got the science background. So when McKay and Zelenka are trading gobbledigook she can get right in there with them.”

The video includes short peeks at various episodes in Season Four, including “Travelers” (guest starring Jill Wagner as Larrin, leader of a group of nomads called “Travelers”), “Missing” (featuring Jewel Staite, whose character Dr. Jennifer Keller is introduced in the June 22 season finale), and more.

Also included is the first look at Samantha Carter (Amanda Tapping) in Atlantis, and a tender moment between Teyla and John Sheppard.

In addition to several team episodes, the first half of the season promises episodes dedicated to each of the show’s main characters — including some development that, in the minds of Mallozzi and Mullie, has been much needed.

“I think that this year more than any other year has a bunch of not only character revelations — revelations regarding character relationships — but also in terms of big story arcs. We finally get a chance to explore a bit the inner-workings of the Wraith. We find out more about the Replicators. We shift things in I would say a surprising direction.

“I don’t want to give anything away, but I think this season will be full of surprises.”

The site has also posted several new interviews with producers Brad Wright and Robert C. Cooper, actor David Hewlett (“Rodney McKay”), and directors Andy Mikita and Martin Wood. The recent SCI FI Channel special “Behind the Mythology of Stargate SG-1” is also online.

The final episodes of Stargate Atlantis‘s third season air this Friday and next Friday, June 15 and June 22, at 9 p.m. Eastern/Pacific on SCI FI Channel! Season Four premieres this fall.