Stargate Atlantis Season 5

The fifth season of Stargate Atlantis commenced airing on the Sci Fi Channel in the United States on July 11, 2008, concluded on the same channel on January 9, 2009, and contained 20 episodes. The show itself is a spin off of its sister show, Stargate SG-1. The season upgrades previous supporting characters cast members such as Richard Woolsey (from Stargate SG-1) and Jennifer Keller. Amanda Tapping's character Samantha Carter was downgraded to recurring character in this season. The fifth season is about a military-science expedition team fighting against the Wraith from their base of operation, Atlantis. The Wraith primary goal is to gather a fleet to invade Atlantis and find their new "feeding ground", Earth.

The one-hour premiere, which aired on July 11, 2008, received 1.3 in Nielsen household ratings, in contrast a "Big" increase from the previous season ratings. The series was developed by Brad Wright and Robert C. Cooper, who also served as executive producers. Season five regular cast members include Joe Flanigan, Robert Picardo, Jewel Staite, Jason Momoa, Rachel Luttrell, and David Hewlett. Stargate Atlantis was originally planned to be continued by a two-hour movie entitled Stargate: Extinction but executive producer Brad Wright has announced that the film has been permanently shelved.

Cast and characters
After being a regular character in season four, Amanda Tapping (Colonel Samantha Carter) became a guest star in several episodes of season five. Robert Picardo (as Richard Woolsey) joined the cast as a permanent character, with Woolsey assuming command of Atlantis. Actress Jewel Staite (Dr. Jennifer Keller) was also promoted from a recurring character to a permanent cast member. Both Michael Shanks (Dr. Daniel Jackson) and Paul McGillion (Dr. Carson Beckett) appeared as guest stars in this season, with McGillion appearing in five episodes. Actress Torri Higginson declined to reprise her role as Dr. Elizabeth Weir in the fifth season. The other season five regular cast members are Joe Flanigan, Jason Momoa, Rachel Luttrell, and David Hewlett as Dr. Rodney McKay.