Syfy said it has ordered a second season of Stargate Universe and a third season of Sanctuary, a pair of Friday-night dramas.
SGU is the third series in the Stargate franchise to run on Syfy (formerly Sci Fi): Stargate SG-1 ran 10 seasons on Showtime and Sci Fi and Stargate Atlantis ran five seasons on Sci Fi and Syfy. SGU stars Robert Carlyle. Robert Cooper and Brad Wright, of Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis, serve as executive producers and writers. SGU is produced and distributed by MGM Worldwide Television Distribution.
Sanctuary films almost entirely on green screen and was the first television series in North America to use the RED camera exclusively. Created by Damian Kindler (SG-1, SGA), Sanctuary is produced in association with Syfy and is distributed by Tricon Films and Television. Season 3 of the series will be executive produced by Damian Kindler, Amanda Tapping, Martin Wood, Keith Beedie and Tricon Films. It stars SG-1 and SGA star Amanda Tapping.
Syfy's statement on Sci Fi Wire:
"Syfy announced it was renewing its new series Stargate Universe for a second season and it was also picking up Sanctuary for a third season. Both series were given orders for 20 episodes, which will begin airing in the fall.
"Sanctuary is currently in the midst of airing its second season, while Stargate Universe is on hiatus between the first half of season one and the second half, which will air in April.
"Universehas been controversial with Stargate fans, who've shown a mixed reaction to the franchise's new direction.
" 'We're dealing with 15 seasons of expectations with a certain fanbase,' " executive producer Robert Cooper told The Hollywood Reporter. 'Hopefully, as the show goes on, people will appreciate Universe for being its own thing.'
"He also revealed a new alien race will be added to the show. 'There is a big story point coming up that does introduce an alien race,' Cooper said. 'It's more along the line of a District 9-type alien. Our interaction is handled in a very Universe way; they're not the typical Stargate alien bad guys."
