Stargate Atlantis: 15 Interesting Facts You Might Not Know

Stargate Atlantis is a renowned Science Fiction television series within MGM’s Stargate franchise and serves as a spin-off of Stargate SG-1. Set in the Pegasus Galaxy, the show chronicles the adventures of an Earth expedition team stationed in the legendary city of Atlantis, constructed by the ancient race known as the Ancients.

The series features key characters such as Major John Sheppard (Joe Flanigan), Dr. Elizabeth Weir (Torri Higginson), and Dr. Rodney McKay (David Hewlett). Together, they explore uncharted planets and contend with the Wraith, a predatory species that survives by feeding on humans.

A major storyline revolves around the team’s accidental awakening of the Wraith, sparking a conflict that forces them to forge alliances and master alien technologies to survive.

There’s probably a lot that you don’t know about this Science Fiction series, but today my aim is to change that…

Here are 15 Interesting Facts You Might Not Know about Stargate Atlantis

1. Stargate Atlantis premiered on 16 July 2004, and spanned five seasons before concluding on 9 January 2009, with a total of 100 episodes.

2. The series was canceled after five seasons, resulting in the shelving of a planned direct-to-DVD movie, Stargate: Extinction, which was intended to wrap up the storyline.

3. Stargate Atlantis has cultivated a loyal fanbase and continues to hold a significant place in science fiction media, sparking conversations about technology, ethics, and the spirit of exploration.

4. The show was created by Brad Wright and Robert C. Cooper. Wright also co-created Stargate Universe and has worked on other projects like the Netflix series Travelers. Cooper is an accomplished writer and producer who has been involved in various television projects. He began his career in the industry with writing credits on shows like The Outer Limits.

5. Jeannie Miller, Rodney McKay’s sister in Stargate Atlantis, is portrayed by Kate Hewlett, who is David Hewlett’s real-life sister.

6. Throughout the first season and much of the second, the majority of Wraith males were portrayed by a single actor, James Lafazanos.

7. Each episode includes a pop culture reference, often to Star Wars, Star Trek, or other sci-fi movies, to help ground the show in a relatable universe.

8. By the end of season five, John Sheppard has named five Wraith: Steve, Bob, Michael, Todd, and Kenny.

9. Richard Dean Anderson (Jack O’Neill) and Michael Shanks (Daniel Jackson) are the only actors to appear in the pilot episodes of both Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis.

10. Amanda Tapping (Samantha Carter) and Gary Jones (Walter Harriman) are the only actors to appear in the final episodes of both series, as well as in the pilot of Stargate SG-1 and the finale of Stargate Atlantis.

11. Joe Flanigan, David Hewlett, Rachel Luttrell, Paul McGillion, and Amanda Tapping are the only regular cast members to appear across all five seasons, though Paul was a regular for just two seasons and Amanda only in Season 4.

12. Torri Higginson, Jason Momoa, and Jewel Staite appear in four seasons, with Jewel serving as a regular only in Season 5 and portraying a different character in Season 2. Robert Picardo and Rainbow Sun Francks appear in two seasons each, but were regulars for only one season.

13. Several former Star Trek actors made appearances in the Stargate franchise. Stargate Atlantis featured notable guest stars such as Colm Meaney, Connor Trineer, Nicole de Boer, Steven Culp, and Alan Ruck. Additionally, Robert Picardo joined the main cast in Season 5 of Atlantis after making multiple recurring appearances on both this series and SG-1.

14. Although Elizabeth Weir (Torri Higginson) is meant to be American, her pronunciation often reflects a Canadian accent. This is especially apparent with the word “been,” which she pronounces in a way that an American English speaker typically would not.

15. Paul McGillion is technically Scottish, having been born in Scotland but raised in Canada, aside from a few years in his teens. However, as Carson Beckett, his Scottish accent and pronunciation are somewhat inconsistent. Notably, he often pronounces “experiment” as “expeeriment,” which is not typical of Scottish speech.

Well, there you have it, 15 interesting facts you might not have known about Stargate Atlantis. If I’ve left out something important, feel free to comment below.

Check out the trailer for the show below:

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