List of Stargate SG-1 characters
Over its decade of existence, science fiction TV series Stargate SG-1 developed an extensive and detailed backdrop of diverse characters. Many of the characters are members of alien species discovered while exploring the galaxy through the Stargate, although there are an equal number of characters from offworld human civilizations. While Stargate SG-1, Stargate Atlantis and Stargate Universe are separate shows, they take part in the same fictional universe, so no character is internally show-specific.
Main characters
Except for the commanders of the top-secret Stargate Command military base, all main characters of Stargate SG-1 are members of the SG-1 team, the primary unit of the SGC in the show. SG-1's duties include first contact, reconnaissance and combat, diplomacy, initial archaeological surveying, and technological assessment. The composition of SG-1 changes several times during the series run and varies in several alternative universes.Jack O'Neill
Jack O'Neill is a USAF colonel who led the original mission through the Stargate in Stargate. He is played by Kurt Russell in the film, and by former MacGyver actor Richard Dean Anderson in a regular role in seasons 1-8, and in a recurring role in seasons 9-10, also Michael Welch played young Colonel O'Neill in episode "Fragile Balance". He also appears in Stargate: Continuum, and in seasons 1 and 3 of Stargate Atlantis. Colonel O'Neill is the leader of the SG-1 team in the first seven seasons, and takes charge of Stargate Command after his promotion to brigadier general at the beginning of season 8. He is promoted to major general at the beginning of season 9, and is reassigned to Washington, D.C., then makes sporadic appearances in the final episodes of season one of Stargate Universe.Daniel Jackson
Dr. Daniel Jackson is a brilliant archaeologist and linguist, specializing in Egyptology, whose unusual theories concerning the origin of the Egyptian Pyramids led to his participation in the original mission through the stargate in Stargate. He is played by James Spader in the film and by Michael Shanks in a regular role in seasons 1-5 and 7-10, with a recurring role in season 6. He also appears in both direct-to-DVD films and in seasons 1 and 5 of Stargate Atlantis. Daniel joins the SG-1 team in search of his kidnapped wife, until she dies in season 3. However, he decides to remain a part of SG-1, and does so until his ascension at the end of season 5. Following his decision to retake human form, he rejoins SG-1 at the beginning of season 7.As stated in season 2's "1969", Daniel speaks 23 languages, including Russian, German, Spanish, and Egyptian. Throughout the run of the series, he becomes Earth's foremost expert on the Ancients, and also learns many alien languages, such as Goa'uld, Ancient, and Unas.
Samantha Carter
Samantha "Sam" Carter is an astrophysicist and USAF captain. She is played by Amanda Tapping in a regular role in seasons 1-10, in both direct-to-DVD films and makes an appearance in all seasons of Stargate Atlantis. Captain Carter joins SG-1 under the command of Col. O'Neill in season 1. Following her promotion to major in season 3, she is promoted to lieutenant colonel in early season 8 and assumes command of SG-1. She assists Lt. Col. Cameron Mitchell in seasons 9 and 10. After her appearance in Stargate: The Ark of Truth, she is promoted to a "full bird" colonel and becomes the new commander of the Atlantis expedition in season 4 of Stargate Atlantis before joining SG-1 again for Stargate: Continuum. She is later made the commander of the USS George Hammond, a Daedalus-class Earth ship named after former SGC commander General Hammond, who died in correlation with the actor who played him, Don S. Davis.Teal'c
Teal'c is a Jaffa from the planet Chulak. He is played by Christopher Judge in a regular role in seasons 1-10, in both direct-to-DVD films and in season 4 of Stargate Atlantis. Throughout the entire run of Stargate SG-1, the only episode that the character was absent was Season 8's "Prometheus Unbound". Teal'c states that he is 101 years old in season 4's "The Light", and ages an additional 50 years in season 10's "Unending". His catchphrase is "Indeed". Teal'c's most notable feature is a golden tattoo on his forehead, a sign that he once served the Goa'uld Apophis as First Prime, the highest Jaffa rank. His interaction with Bra'tac and his own personal experiences led him to doubt the divinity of the Goa'uld.Teal'c defects from Apophis in the pilot episode and joins the SG-1 team, believing this to be an opportunity to eventually defeat the Goa'uld and bring freedom to all Jaffa. He leaves his wife Drey'auc and his son Rya'c behind on Chulak. After succeeding in killing Apophis in season 5's "Enemies", Teal'c and Bra'tac make first progress in uniting a sizable group of Jaffa resistance warriors in season 5's "The Warrior". Teal'c and Bra'tac lose their symbiotes after a sabotaged rebel Jaffa summit in season 6's "The Changeling", but the Tok'ra drug Tretonin can sustain them and eventually becomes instrumental in liberating Jaffa from physiological reliance on Goa'uld symbiotes,. Teal'c and Bra'tac eventually lead the Jaffa to victory over the Goa'uld in season 8's "Reckoning"/"Threads". Teal'c is chosen as a member of the new Jaffa High Council and supports Bra'tac as an interim leader in season 9's "The Fourth Horseman" before a type of government is solidified.
George S. Hammond
George S. Hammond is a USAF Major General who commands Stargate Command in the first seven seasons. He is played by Don S. Davis in a regular role in seasons 1-7 and in a recurring role afterwards. He also appears in Stargate: Continuum and season 1 of Stargate Atlantis. Hammond took over from Major General West, commander of the Stargate Project in the original Stargate film, and originally intended the Stargate Program to be his last assignment before retirement. In season 2's "1969", General Hammond is shown to have worked at the Cheyenne Mountain complex in 1969. Hammond originates from Texas and became a widower when his wife died of cancer.Hammond briefly retires under duress in season 4's "Chain Reaction", where he spends time with his two grandchildren, Kayla and Tessa. He is promoted to the rank of lieutenant general at the beginning of season 8, being placed in command of the new Homeworld Security command, a department in control of Stargate Command, the Prometheus project, and the Atlantian Antarctica outpost. Hammond recurs in the season 1 of Stargate Atlantis and seasons 8 through 10 of Stargate SG-1. Hammond appears in a civilian suit instead of a military uniform in season 9's "The Fourth Horseman", and Carter confirms his retired status in season 10's "The Road Not Taken". In his last appearance in the alternate timeline film Stargate: Continuum, Hammond acts as a military advisor to President Henry Hayes.
Don S. Davis knew Richard Dean Anderson from Anderson's starring role in MacGyver, in which Davis was a stand-in for Dana Elcar before making several guest appearances. Davis died from a heart attack at the age of 65 on June 29, 2008, shortly before the release of Continuum, making this his final on-screen appearance as General Hammond. For his portrayal of Hammond, Don S. Davis was nominated for a 2004 Leo Award in the category "Dramatic Series: Best Supporting Performance by a Male" for the season 7 episode "Heroes, Part 2".
Jonas Quinn
Jonas Quinn is an alien from the planet Langara. He is played by former Parker Lewis Can't Lose actor Corin Nemec in a regular role in season 6, and in a recurring capacity in seasons 5 and 7. Jonas leaves his home planet Langara the penultimate season 5 episode "Meridian" after witnessing Daniel Jackson's lethal sacrifice and the following gleeful reaction of his planet's leaders. He is a fast learner and fills Daniel's empty spot on SG-1 in season 6. Following Daniel's return at the beginning of season 7, Jonas returns to his planet and last appears in the mid-season 7 episode "Fallout".Corin Nemec replaced Michael Shanks during season 6 after Shanks had left the show amid controversy after season 5. The producers based Jonas's motivation to join SG-1 on his momentary reluctance to actively prevent Daniel's death and his feelings of responsibility afterwards. Jonas was slowly integrated into the story in a prolonged transition stage over the first half of season 6. Nemec was open to continue playing Jonas Quinn after season 6, but a new contract was reached with Michael Shanks for Daniel to return in season 7. The role of Jonas was reduced to recurring status in season 7.
Cameron Mitchell
Cameron "Cam" Mitchell is a USAF lieutenant colonel. He is played by former Farscape actor Ben Browder in a regular role in seasons 9-10 and in both direct-to-DVD films. Mitchell is introduced in "Avalon" as the leader of a squadron of F-302s against the forces of the arch villain Anubis in season 7's "Lost City". Assigned as the new commanding officer of SG-1 at the beginning of season 9, Mitchell struggles to reunite the team's former members under his command. Assisted by Carter, he remains in command of SG-1 throughout the series run and both films. He is promoted to the rank of full-bird Colonel in Stargate: Continuum.Ben Browder joined the cast after Richard Dean Anderson's departure from Stargate SG-1 in 2005. From the beginning, producer Robert C. Cooper wanted Mitchell to be a "super fan" of SG-1 who is openly enthusiastic about exploring the galaxy. Mitchell is often at the center of the action and fight sequences. The producers did not realize the physical resemblance between Browder and Michael Shanks when Browder was cast, and employed make-up and costuming techniques to make the transition easier for the audience. The writers' decision to put Mitchell in command of SG-1 instead of Carter was met with resistance by some critics and audience members. For his portrayal of Cameron Mitchell, Ben Browder was nominated for a Saturn Award in the category "Best Supporting Actor on Television" in 2006.