Robert Carlyle has signed on to lead the upcoming science fiction TV series, Stargate Universe, which is the third live-action series of the Stargate franchise following Stargate Atlantis and Stargate SG-1.  The series was green lit on August 22 and is scheduled to launch as a two-hour movie on Sci Fi next July.

Stargate Universe follows the adventures of a team of explorers from Earth, who must now fend for themselves aboard the Ancient spaceship Destiny as they are unable to return to Earth.  The show will be firmly rooted in pre-established Stargate mythology but takes place during the present time.

Michael Shanks, actor known for his role as Dr. Daniel Jackson on the science fiction series Stargate SG-1, will guest star on the action-thriller series 24 starting on its Day 6 1:00AM-2:00AM episode on Monday, April 30 at 9/8C on Fox.

Shanks will play Mark Bishop, a political lobbyist who has a secret relationship with Vice President Noah Daniels’ aide Lisa Miller, played by Kari Matchett. The Canadian actor is scheduled to appear in a 4-episode arc for season 6. (Warning: minor spoilers ahead!)

Stargate SG-1 is a science fiction television series which is a sequel to the 1994 movie Stargate. The show further chronicles the adventures of the Stargate Command.