Amanda Tapping Leaving Atlantis to Focus on “Sanctuary”, Expect Press Release Tuesday February 4, 2008 6:00 pm
Posted by Rosario T. Calabria in Casting, News, Sanctuary, Sci Fi, Stargate Atlantis.trackback
After eleven years on the Stargate franchise as a regular cast member, actress Amanda Tapping is leaving her role on Stargate Atlantis to focus on the new series Sanctuary, which was just picked up by the SCI FI channel for 13 episodes (related article here).
GateWorld spoke with executive producer Joseph Mallozzi and show-runner (shared title with Paul Mullie) about the news:
“We love the Samantha Carter character and have always enjoyed writing for her,” Mallozzi said. “She was a great addition to Atlantis‘s fourth season and, while she will be missed, it’s not as if we’re closing the door on her. Carter will remain a major player in the Stargate universe as well as a guest star on Atlantis‘s fifth season.”
In fact, Tapping will appear in the season five premiere, “Search and Rescue.”
To fill in for the departure of Tapping’s character, Mallozzi said that they’ll be a new commanding officer character on the show:
“Carter will be one of a number of familiar faces that will be popping up in the Pegasus Galaxy in Season Five — including a new commander. Remember way back, when I said we had considered a handful of possible candidates for the command position at the beginning of Season Four? Well, this person made that short list then, and we’re very excited about his/her/its(?) addition to our cast of regulars.”
Though a press release was originally expected today (Monday), Mallozzi has posted on his blog that a release won’t be expected until Tuesday.
Source: GateWorld
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hi my name is michael reed in sitkam,AK i was wondering what your email was?
can’t beleive robert picardo is takin command of atlantis this offcially sucks
I cannot believe that Amanda Tapping is leaving already!! Her character has not even really established herself yet! It just seems to me that things are going downhill — that this change does not bode well for Atlantis’ future. And putting Wolsey in charge? I’m sorry, but that is simply asinine!! He’s alright to stir things up once in awhile, but as a commander, I think he will suck. As much as I hate!! the Valla character, I am thinking maybe they should send her over. At least there would be someone to laugh at. And why not Daniel? Although he would make a lousy commander, I think he would really be an asset to the show.
Anyone really think he is the long term solution? I doubt it.
Nah, Picardo won’t be a long-term solution… Sheppard will shoot him long before that happens.
I love Amanda Tapping as Samantha Carter and had renewed interest in Stargate Atlantis when she took over. Now they put an ex hologram in her place….LOL. I hope the show can last through this season without Woolsey getting everyone killed. Because from past seasons he has showed no leadership skills that would make me think of a different outcome.
Somehow the creators of Stargate Atlantis are not sure what type of leadership is needed. I love Amanda Tapping when she took over and have been watching the show. However, having Picardo as a leader….definitely a weak choice.
Robert Picardo has only signed on for 14 seasons, the same number that Amanda had. And he will probably have the same small number of lines in each episode, really making him more of a minor character, rather than a major one like Elizabeth Weir.
Putting him in place gives the writers a chance to create conflict between Woolsey and Sheppard, who should get plenty of chances for that court marshal. There may also be an interesting dynamic between Woolsey and McKay. They’re both sniveling, but Woolsey is a true coward, so McKay can come out and best him with unexpected heroics.
Watching the credits for the season five premier you saw Amanda Tapping listed as a “special guest star”…..I puked in my mouth and my heart jumped. I was so excited to see her join the cast of Atlantis. I think Robert Picardo does very well playing Woolsey but Woolsey is not a leader. Yes it will be interesting to see how his character will co-exist with Rodney and Sheppard but even more interesting, how will he co-exist with Ronin (by the way Jason Momoa is SOOOOO HOTTTTTT!!). I hope Woolsey will only be a temporary commander. I think they should stick with a strong female commander……I’m thinking Alyssa Milano, she is a true bad ass.
Give picardo a chance.. his character has had some depth surprising us. He actually mirrors the orginal Dr Weir roll as civilian offcial having to deal with a military situation and the command chain issues and view of the world differences..
The only problem with Picardo is I liked the stronger female lead in Atlantis
Wolsey as commander???! I hope the wraith eat him.
Picardo is a great actor and would be great for atlantis, but i’m not sure how the Wolsey charecter would work. Really not a fan of the Wolsey charecter.
I LOVE AMANDA, WATCHED HER ALL 10 SEASONS ON SG1 AND WAS THRILLED SHE WAS MADE COMMANDER OF ATLANTIS. SHE HAS HER OWN THING GOING ON WHICH I HOPE I WILL LIKE ,BUT PICARDO IS A HOLOGRAM NOW AND FOREVER BAD FOR ATLANTIS. I WILL WATCH ONLY CAUSE SHEPPARD IS SO HOT AND RONAN AND MCKAY IS STUPID FUNNY. BEST OF LUCK ANDDONT LOCK THE DOOR ON SAM JUST YET.
I just watched Atlantis and had to go on line to see if I could find out why Amanda Carter was gone. I am so sad to see her leave and do not like Picardo as the replacement. Yuk! Hope she has lots of star apperarnces and comes back to the show. I also was a fan of her on SG1 and watched for the 10 seasons. I am in my 60’s and love sci-fi shows and have been a true fan of SG1 and Atlantis but not so sure I can retain interests in the Atlantis show if Picardo has too many lines. Good luck to Amanda. Hope her new adventure will bring her lots of satisfaction. Will be looking forward to her new show.
Although I’ve enjoyed Amanda Tapping throughout her role on _Stargate: SG-1_, I didn’t like how Torri Higginson seemed to be shoved aside to bring Tapping onto _Atlantis_. I agree with others that the Wolsey character stinks as a replacement, although I appreciate Picardo as an actor all the way back to _China Beach_, and even as Wolsey.
Wolsey as commander in Atlantis is something really ridiculous! I hated!!
Yeah, don’t knock Robert Picardo. He was the EMH after all! :) But Wolsey has the role of being the “big brother” / oversight — and being disliked.
Amanda Tapping and Robert Picardo are both great actors.
I’ve seen some depth in the character Wolsey, (formerly despised in SG1.) His character went by the book.
I believe he’s going to throw the book away.
Did anyone else notice Woolsey has shown up in like 2 episodes recently for like a minute a peice? shows how much the writes like him. I dont think he does well as a leader, but he did fine as a supporting character. I would love to see O’Neill back, but sadly that wont happen
ITS NOT REAL FOLKS . ITS A TV SHOW