Amanda Tapping on Travelers
Stargate TV co-creator Brad Wright’s new podcast “Conversations in Sci-Fi” is quickly becoming a must-listen show, both for Stargate lovers and for those who are interested in the ins and outs of the film and television business.
Today The Companion released the third installment of Wright’s podcast, with special guest Amanda Tapping. The actor-turned-director played Samantha Carter for 10 years on Stargate SG-1, followed by two movies, a full season on the cast of Stargate Atlantis, and guest appearances on Stargate Universe.
Wright and Tapping talked about Stargate, writing and learning difficult scientific dialogue, her directing work, favorite documentaries, and more. They also reminisced about their original meeting many years ago, during SG-1‘s casting process. The finalists for Carter, Jackson, Hammond, and Teal’c were brought to a casting session with MGM in Los Angeles.
“There was a break before the second round, and that’s when you and Jonathan [Glassner] came out and talked to me,” Tapping said. It was then that Brad gave her a bit of advice for her audition. In between scenes she had been laughing and bantering with Richard Dean Anderson, and he told her to bring some of that into her performance as Samantha Carter.
She recounted: “You said, ‘I’m a big fan of yours’ — which was really a nice thing to say — ‘I loved your demo. I think you’re really good.’ And then you said, ‘What you’re doing with Rick in between the scenes … bring more of that into the character.'”
The two also talked about Tapping’s subsequent career as a director, where she has racked up more than 60 credits — from her directorial debut on Stargate SG-1 (Season Seven’s “Resurrection”), to Brad Wright’s Travelers, to Supernatural, The Flash, Batwoman, Blindspot (created by Stargate veteran Martin Gero), and more. Most recently she has been working as a director and executive producer on the Freeform fantasy series Motherland: Fort Salem.
While she’s certain she will act again, she said that currently she is pursuing directing opportunities. “That’s what I’m known for now, which is I think quite funny,” Tapping said. “Because for the longest time I was ‘that actress who directs,’ and now I’m a director who sometimes acts.”
Tapping said that she is heading to Atlanta, Georgia to direct an episode of an as-yet undisclosed project.
Finally, the pair do briefly address the elephant at the gate: a fourth live-action Stargate series, which Wright has been developing for MGM for more than two years. In the two previous installments of the podcast Wright told Tapping’s former SG-1 co-stars that he has written them into the script for the new project. And after Tapping herself told fans last month that Wright had spoken with her about appearing in (and directing for) the show, she had to take to Twitter to clarify that there is not currently a show in active production.
Wright’s update here suggests that nothing has changed, in part because of MGM’s impending sale. (The conversation was recorded just prior to Amazon and MGM’s announcement that confirmed the studio’s acquisition.)
“I have a couple of projects in the air,” Wright said. “One of them is Stargate. Obviously fans are interested in hearing about that. And it’s still in the same place last time we talked. And I think it began with COVID — changing everything up, and putting the brakes on a ton of development. And I think it has migrated to the changes that may be happening at MGM, in terms of it being purchased by a much larger company.
“I’ve been working with MGM since 1994,” he added. “So I’ve seen this happen. I’ve seen the signs [that] they’re about to be sold” — like when SCI FI Channel stopped sending out its stationery ahead of what turned out to be its rebranding as “Syfy.”
In the extended cut of the podcast, Wright asks her if she thinks Sam and Jack ended up together … and then reads her a line from the new script. (He says that it’s a line of dialogue written for Jack O’Neill, suggesting Wright’s desire to add former series lead Richard Dean Anderson to the lineup of SG-1 actors who could kick off a potential new show.)
“Conversations in Sci-Fi” gives Wright a chance to talk with friends and colleagues from his decades in television. Previous installments featured “Daniel Jackson” actor Michael Shanks and “Cameron Mitchell” actor Ben Browder.
Head over to The Companion to hear the full conversation! A 35-minute version of the podcast is available for free, and the 75-minute conversation is exclusive to subscribers of the online science fiction magazine. On top of the current 50% discount on subscriptions, GateWorld readers can save an extra $10 off the first year by using the checkout code GATEWORLD. Our thanks to The Companion for offering this to Stargate fans.
Next up for “Conversations in Sci-Fi”: Stargate Atlantis co-star David Hewlett, who played fan-favorite Dr. Rodney McKay, will join Wright on the virtual couch. Stick with GateWorld for full coverage, and head over to The Companion to listen to Brad and Amanda’s full conversation!
On Twitter: @thecompanionapp
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View Comments
Maybe I'm reading too much into it but it sounds like she's ambivalent about being part of a new Stargate show if it happens, like when she said she's more focused on directing. Which makes me sad because in the fully-formed headcannon of the show in my own personal head, she is the Hammond of the new SGC but this makes it sound like she'd do a cameo or guest-star role at best. *crying emoji*
Someone who subscribes to the Companion, please share the full excerpt of Brad talking about Sam/Jack?