The second season Stargate Universe is set to air September 28th. The latest series in the Stargate franchise will be doing everything it can to treat existing fans of the franchise with something special with the return of some familiar faces from Stargate: Atlantis and it'll be seeking to bring in new viewers by guest starring loads of popular TV actors from other series.

Joining the already-strong cast of SGU with special appearances this season will be Victor Garber (Alias, Eli Stone), Kathleen Quinlan (Event Horizon, Apollo 13), Julie McNiven (Mad Men, Supernatural) and French Stewart (3rd Rock From The Sun, Inspector Gadget 2). We also already knew that Robert Knepper (Heroes, Prison Break) will have a five episode stint and from the previews we've already seen a couple of Atlantis alums in the previews for season 2.

As mentioned above, in typical Stargate tradition, viewers will have the pleasure of seeing even more franchise characters making return appearances. Throughout season 1, we saw Richard Dean Anderson, Amanda Tapping and Michael Shanks all have multiple cameos, helping keep the series within the existing continuity. Now, we'll get to see several members of Stargate: Atlantis play a crucial role as well. From a recent Syfy press release, we already know that Dr. Rodney McKay and Richard Woosley, played by David Hewlett and Robert Picardo respectively, will be two of those characters and hopefully we'll get the rest of the principal cast as well.

As far as new characters joining the franchise, the always-creepy and villainous character master, Robert Knepper, as well as Julie McNiven will be playing members of the Lucian Alliance who both be around for several episodes and multiple story arcs. Expect the Lucian Alliance to play a pivotal role in the plot of SGU season 2. Both Knepper and McNiven have played such powerful and memorable characters in their previous TV series roles and both will add serious scene-stealing power to Stargate Universe.

The same can be said for the lovable Victor Garber of Alias fame who will be playing Ambassador Ovirda of the planet Langara, a planet which strangely enough is within our Milky Way galaxy and nowhere near where the Destiny (the ship where Stargate Universe takes place) lays in the dark folds of outer space.

Kathleen Quinlan will play Senator Michaels who is replacing Senator Armstrong as the new head of the off-world spending committee. French Stewart on the other hand, Dr. Andrew Covel, the new research head of Stargate Command.

Syfy's ability to bring in so many well-known and recognizable TV stars together for Stargate Universe's second season is definitely generating a lot of positive buzz and excitement and I look forward to seeing it play out.

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Stargate Universe season 2 begins next Tuesday, September 28th so stay tuned for our review of the premiere. I've already seen the first two episodes and you'll definitely want to check it out!

Sources: TV Overmind, Show Patrol