The Sci Fi Channel has renewed its original series Stargate Atlantis for a fifth season.  The fourth season debuted in September drawing an audience estimated at 2 million viewers.  Two new characters came on board during the fourth season Amanda Tapping (from Stargate SG-1) and Jewel Staite (Firefly, Serenity).  Fourth season episodes are currently airing on Friday nights at 10pm (ET, PT).

Production of the fifth season will begin in early 2008 for broadcast later in that year.  The continuation of the Stargate Atlantis series should mean extended life for an array of Stargate merchandise including the Stargate CCG from Comic Images, Stargate Atlantis figures from Diamond Select Toys, Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis comics from Avatar, and Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis trading cards from Rittenhouse Archives.