Nykl confident in series renewal

Most Atlantis fans are waiting with baited breath over these weeks — enjoying new episodes, yes, but still in quiet fear of the show’s cancellation. In our fast-paced society, good-quality television is cast out frighteningly fast in the event of a low number.

GateWorld got a chance to catch up with actor David Nykl (“Dr. Radek Zelenka”) who has his own opinion of what’s to come, and wanted to spread a message of assurance to the rest of us.

“I personally don’t believe that [Season Four is] going to be the last one,” he tells us. “I think that we’re going on. I feel quite optimistic. I think a lot of the other actors and writers feel that way as well. And as for its legacy, it’s just way too early to talk about it.

“From what we’ve put together so far I think we’re a classic space / sci-fi show, and I just hope that the real powers that be, the ones that make the decisions as to whether the shows continue or not, will see that and let us go on for as long as the fans want us to.”

Nykl acknowledges that the cast and crew of Atlantis are unusually fortunate. The support system in place from developing multiple shows is something which has only been seen with series such as Star Trek and CSI.

“… an actor’s daily bread is uncertainty,” Nykl tells GateWorld. “Really, we have to remember that we’re in the lucky minority, Stargate people, to be working as regularly. Even the four seasons that have been around so far.”

“Now, of course, we’re all optimistic and looking forward to a Season Five, but there are no promises. There are no guarantees. We carry on and there are contingency plans, and plans B’s and C’s and D’s. I’m speaking for myself of course, in my head, but I think other actors have a similar trepidation. ‘What will happen if we don’t go back?'”

Stargate audiences are of the demographic advertisers lust over, but at the same time those viewers are particularly tech-savvy and less than patient when it comes to commercials. Online forums of fans have been encouraging their brethren to watch new episodes live in the hopes of nudging the fate of the show.

“The feeling [for renewal is] cautiously optimistic, in the words of some famous politicians,” Nykl says. “We see all that particularly with such sites as GateWorld, and with the online support, and with the worldwide following. It just seems to be such a shame that the fate of a popular series should make or break on the fate of a couple of boxes on some TV sets. The paradigm needs to change.”

Expect the complete interview with David Nykl to appear later today on GateWorld, and don’t forget the premiere of “Reunion” tonight at 10 p.m. Eastern/Pacific on SCI FI!