A couple of days ago it was reported that Robert Picardo has be givin season regular status on Stargate Atlantis.  It was also rumored that Jewel Staite would also be promoted.  Today its not a rumor anymore.  Gateworld.net reports that the popular sci fi actress and Firefly/Serenity star is now a season regular for season 5.

Actress Jewel Staite ("Jennifer Keller," interview) has been promoted from recurring to regular cast member, executive producer Joseph Mallozzi has confirmed on his blog.

The more Jewel the better.  I really like her on Atlantis, shes a good fit.  A lot of new characters have to be slowly intigrated into TV shows, but Jewel was able to just slide in smoothly.  Its sometimes hard to tell if thats because of her status from Firefly or shes just a really good actress.  I'll say its because shes a good actress, because when I see her as Dr. Keller, I see her as Dr. Keller, not Kaylee.

So far in season 4 Jewel has had a couple of episodes where she had a large role.  Roles large enough in the plot of episodes that it already seemed that she was a season regular. Hopefully in season 5 they'll have more Keller centric episodes, looking at her back story and so on.

As we wait for this Friday's episode, enjoy these hi res photos of Jewel.  As usual, click to enlarge.

-Phil