ARCHIVE: Interview - Stargate: Atlantis Actress Jewel Staite

Article originally published 08/08/2007 at figures.com

Jewel Staite is a familiar name to sci-fi fans. Her portrayal of the mechanic Kaylee on the short-lived series Firefly cemented her status as a fan-favorite actress in the sci-fi world. Now, Staite has returned to the screen as, Dr. Jennifer Keller, a reoccurring member of Stargate: Atlantis. At this year's Comic Con, we sat down with Staite for a brief one-on-one Q&A session to find out what life is like on the SciFi Channel.

Figures.com: What would you like fans to know about what’s coming up on Stargate: Atlantis?

JS: Well, I think this season of Atlantis is a lot darker than what (fans) are usually accustomed to. We’ve got some new faces. We’ve got some old, very familiar faces coming back from the past. It’s full of surprises.

Figures.com: How do you feel about moving from the level of fandom that was created by Firefly to something that is as established as the Stargate franchise, being around for a total for 14 seasons?

JS: I feel a little bit like the new kid. I’m a bit green… but everybody’s been very accommodating. It’s interesting to be on something that runs so well. They’ve been at it for so long that it seems like clockwork. It’s amazing. And nobody really fears being cancelled On Firefly that was all that everyone had our heads around.

Figures.com: How would you feel about an action figure being created from your character on Stargate?

JS: I would love it! I’ve always wanted an action figure. They had a couple of Serenity ones out. They had a Mal, they had a Jayne and I think they had a Reaver. But they had no Kaylee, so I always felt gypped about that.

Figures.com: A lot of fans are waiting for your Stargate figure to come out so they can customize it to be a Kayee.

JS: Cool. Hopefully I’ll get one… that would be nice.

Figures.com: Fans don’t know very much about your character yet. What can we look forward to as far as an evolution of the character?

JS: I think she’s very likable. She’s smart but I don’t think she realizes how smart she is. She’s humble and she feels out of her element. I think she misses home a lot. She’s with a bunch of people she doesn’t really know. She constantly has to prove herself and she’s in danger every day. She’s just not accustomed to that. She’s a fraidy-cat… a little bit.

Figures.com: At the beginning?

JS: Well, pretty much all the way through. She’s a great doctor. She’s very very smart and when she’s in her element, in that med lab, she’s totally comfortable. But when she’s outside of it, she doesn’t really know what to do. She’s not accustomed to that world yet.

Figures.com: How do you feel about filling the role of the previous doctor (Dr. Carson Beckett) who was such a well-loved character?

JS: Well, I’m a reoccurring (character) so in a way I feel like I haven’t replaced anyone. And, it being sci-fi, nobody every really dies so anybody can come back at any time. I just hope that the fans will give her a chance and will like her as much as I like playing her. She’s fun, a lot of fun.

Figures.com: Well, I know fans are excited about seeing you back on the screen. Thanks for your time.

JS: Cool. Thank you!