Making One of Stargate’s Great Villains

The early years of Stargate SG-1 introduced a terrific cast of colorful villains, from the gold-clad Apophis and the sultry Hathor to the cunning Nirrti and occasionally benevolent Lord Yu. The Goa’uld were over-the-top villains, who had spent thousands of years impersonating gods from various ancient Earth mythologies.

In SG-1‘s third season the writers introduced the character of Seth, also known as “Setesh” in ancient Egyptian lore. The show’s version of this “god” wasn’t another System Lord running amok in the Milky Way Galaxy. Instead he was found to be hiding out on Earth. With the healing power of his symbiote (and the need to change hosts every few centuries), Seth survived for thousands of years … and everywhere he went, Seth couldn’t resist the urge to manipulate humans into worshiping him.

When it the time came to cast the cult leader for Season Three’s “Seth,” producers turned to a familiar face. Actor Robert Murray Duncan had actually been on the show a year earlier: he played none other than Daniel Jackson’s father, Melburn Jackson, in the episode “The Gamekeeper.”

Duncan talked about his experience in a recent conversation with “Dial the Gate.” Check out this short clip to hear it in the actor’s own words:

He also said that he found out he had won the part not from his agent or the producers, but from the wardrobe department — always on top of their game in getting actors scheduled to come in for a costume fitting.

“They were super cool,” he said. “They noticed I had a pierced ear so they gave me an earing. That was nice — it’s probably the last time I wore one!”

In the clip above Duncan also reflects on day-to-day filming on location for the episode, his respect for series lead and executive producer Richard Dean Anderson, and why working with a good director makes all the difference.

Visit “Dial the Gate” on YouTube for the full-length conversation with Robert Murray Duncan, and subscribe to GateWorld on YouTube for new Stargate content every week!

On Twitter: @RMurrayDuncan