The Mantle of Anubis: Playing One of Stargate’s Biggest Villains Ever

Anubis was one of the SG-1 team’s most formidable adversaries: a half-ascended Goa’uld with knowledge of the Ancients and a megalomaniacal plan to raze the galaxy and remake it in his image. Anubis was the show’s central antagonist for four years, from Season Five through Season Eight. And in that time the Big Bad was portrayed by no fewer than four different actors.

One of them was veteran Canadian actor Dean Aylesworth, who played Anubis in the climactic eighth-season episode “Reckoning, Part 1” (taking over for actor David Palffy, who originated the role). This version of Anubis has lost his oil slick containment vessel, and was now an immaterial entity leaping from body to body. As he burned out one host, he would take on another.

Aylesworth recently talked with “Dial the Gate” about stepping into the role, and how he worked to make Anubis a consistent villain.

“He was very lethal in his movements,” the actor said. “How much more can you really convey than in a physicality? [Palffy’s] was wonderful work, and all I could do was remain consistent in that level. … I was only there for a moment, and the recognition in that moment was that I give him his eight years due previously.”

Check out this clip from the conversation:

Aylesworth said that playing an über-villain is a lot of fun as an actor.

“We’re all in a place of ‘masks,’ each of us as human beings,” he said. “And this guy, Anubis, he doesn’t have to wear any masks. His presence in episodes is that ultimate ‘can’t be killed.’ … It’s about power. And that’s delicious.”

Visit “Dial the Gate” on YouTube to watch the full interview with Dean Aylesworth. While you’re there, subscribe to GateWorld’s YouTube channel for more Stargate videos every week.