After a fairly brief hiatus (only 4 months) Stargate Atlantis returns to the SciFi channel with all new episodes starting on July 11th. Now entering its fifth season, the show is reaching a turning point thanks to a number of off-season cast changes. First and foremost in is the replacement of Amanda Tapping's Colonel Samantha Carter as administrator of Atlantis with Robert Picardo's Richard Woolsey. This is one year after Tapping replaced Tori Higginson on the show. It's an interesting turn of events since Woolsey has not been the most popular of characters in the entire Stargate franchise. And, as the character has never been a people person, there is bound to be some conflict between members of the Atlantis team and himself.

A few weeks ago we reported that a fifth season of Stargate Atlantis would be airing on the SciFi network sometime in the fall, just as the fourth season did back in 2007. Well, it now seems like the premiere of the new season will be moving up a couple of months.

A number of online resources, including Gateworld, TV Guide, and the personal blog of Atlantis executive producer Joseph Mallozzi, are reporting that the show will be premiering in July. "The decision on the Season Five premiere date rests with SCI FI," Mallozzi writes in his blog, "However, I'm hopeful that fans won't have to wait until the fall to see the resolution of our Season Four cliffhanger."

Even though the Season 3 finale of the Sci Fi hit show Stargate Atlantis airs only in two weeks, cast and crew are already preparing Season 4. Writers have almost half the season written up, episodes are getting shot, and casting directors are working around the clock to find guest stars for the new season. Actually, the latter even found a new show regular in the person of Firefly's Jewel Staite.

Spoilers about Staite's character and Season 4 after the jump.

There has been quite a bit of speculation about the move, but now it's official. Amanda Tapping will be joining the cast of Stargate: Atlantis for 14 episodes in season four. Executive Producer Brad Wright said that the idea is one that they have been considering for a long time, but they held back because SG-1 kept going. The recent announcement that SG-1 won't be returning after the current season has opened the door for Colonel Carter to make the jump.

Season four of Atlantis marks another change for the show. As Wright and fellow Executive Producer Robert C. Cooper turn their attention to the SG-1 movies, Joseph Mallozzi and Paul Mullie will take over as show-runners for Atlantis.I like the addition of Tapping to the cast. I've always been a fan of Carter, and with Paul McGillion not returning as Dr. Becket in season four, there is an opening to be filled.