Agam Darshi

Amanda Tapping’s hit new fantasy series Sanctuary has begun principal photography on its second season, SCI FI Channel announced today. The new season will premiere this fall on the U.S. cable network, and is expected to air alongside Stargate Universe.

The show has been shooting for about two weeks now, and the cast and crew were working on the second half of the two-part season opener when GateWorld visited the set last week. The premiere is being directed by Martin Wood.

Joining the cast for the second season is actress Agam Darshi, who played Novo in the recent Stargate Atlantis episode “Outsiders” and an Athosian in Season One’s “Suspicion,” according to IMDb. Darshi (who hails from Birmingham, U.K.) will play Kate Freelander, described by the network as “a swindler, con artist and thief who finds herself in an uneasy alliance with Dr. Magnus after her business relationship with the Cabal goes sour.”

Frequent Season One guest star Ryan Robbins — who played Genii leader Ladon Radim on Atlantis — joins the full-time cast as Henry Foss.

“There’s a level of confidence this year,” Robbins told GateWorld, “because the show has done so well. I think there’s a willingness to take some risks. Man, it’s action-packed this year. I love the scripts.”

The show also adds to its staff of writers this year, including Alan McCullough, who has moved over from Stargate Atlantis.

The cast also includes Christopher Heyerdahl (Stargate Atlantis‘s “Todd” the Wraith), Robin Dunne, and Emilie Ullerup.

Sanctuary was created by former SG-1 scribe Damian Kindler, who also executive produces with Tapping and Wood. Season One writer-producer Sam Egan has left the show this year, and Andrea Gorfolova, Carrie Mudd and Keith Beedie are now listed as executive producers.

NEXT: SCI FI’s press release