Forget Torri Higginson Returning To 'Stargate: Atlantis'

But fans of former expedition leader Elizabeth Weir will have to settle with history because she not only won't return in the fifth season, she may not return at all.

"It's very unlikely," Joseph Mallozzi, executive producer of "Stargate: Atlantis," told reporters from sites including SyFy Portal during a press conference Tuesday. "She came back and did a couple of guest spots, and we pitched out the idea of her possibly coming back in a Replicator storyline. Ultimately, we contacted her about doing it, and she was a little reluctant."

Instead, Higginson suggested the writers maybe look at providing some closure for Weir, despite the fact the writing team wanted to keep the door open for future appearances by the actress. Mallozzi said the writers crafted what would've been a good way to say good-bye to Weir, but once again, Higginson didn't seem interested.

"We sent her a script to review, and ultimately, she passed," Mallozzi said. "It's too bad. We would've loved to have her come back and see her on the show. I think at this point she has moved beyond the show and is looking elsewhere."

In the meantime, the expedition has a new leader in the form of none other than Richard Woolsey, the annoying by-the-book character played in a recurring role on both Stargate series by Robert Picardo. The actor, best known to genre fans for his role as the holographic doctor in "Star Trek: Voyager," told reporters that there was an added challenge for him. Not only did he have to fill a role once occupied by Higginson, but one that most recently was played by very popular actress Amanda Tapping, bringing over her Samantha Carter character from "Stargate SG-1."

"I'm really having a ball," Picardo said. "He's an unexpected choice for this job, and that is what I think the viewers will hopefully respond to the way I have. I think that it was a bold thing for the producers to pick a guy like this who doesn't seem to be necessarily the first choice for a leader, but to have him try and make himself into one. And that is the interesting and creative choice."

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