Jonas Quinn - Conceptual History

Conceptual History

When actor Michael Shanks (Daniel Jackson) announced his decision to leave Stargate SG-1 at the end of season 5 for concerns over being under-utilized, the Sci Fi Channel wanted to fill the void with a new character for season 6. Corin Nemec happened to be at the courtyard of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's Santa Monica offices rehearsing audition dialog for an independent film when some casting agents recognized him from previous projects. They briefly mentioned Stargate SG-1 to him and informed Nemec's manager of their strong interest in him the same afternoon. Although Nemec was familiar with the Stargate film, he had never watched the television show and was sent videotapes to familiarize himself with the series. Nemec was cast for the penultimate season 5 episode "Meridian" after several more meetings, but both sides agreed to await the character's look on film before deciding on a long-term involvement.

Producer Brad Wright announced in September 2001 that an actor had been cast and that the new character would be someone whom fans would recognize. An MGM Sci-Fi newsletter revealed Corin Nemec to play the role of Liander Quinn in "Meridian" in November 2001, fueling fan speculation of the identity of the new character. Soon afterwards, producer Joseph Mallozzi revealed that Nemec's character appears in the first five episodes of season 6. Meanwhile, Nemec started to work out six days a week in-between seasons and gained about 25 pounds (11 kg) to look bigger around the tall SG-1 cast.

Mallozzi stated before the airing of season 6 that "Jonas will bring a unique alien perspective and ability to the team will allow him to contribute in areas of expertise usually owned by and Daniel." Brad Wright hoped that "what Corin, as Jonas, will bring to the show is a renewed sense of amazement" of traveling around the galaxy although older characters have grown accustomed to it. The season 6 opening two-parter "Redemption" intended to establish Jonas as a team player who can contribute ideas, although writer Robert C. Cooper felt the need to acknowledge and not "trivialize what the character meant to the team and to the show for five seasons". The writers incorporated the initial viewer resistance to the change by making O'Neill the most resistant to Jonas' presence, allowing viewers to grieve Daniel and gradually come to terms with his absence. The producers based Jonas's motivation to join SG-1 on his former reluctance to shut off the machine that indirectly killed Daniel, and his feelings of responsibility for Daniel's death. 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 or in a feature film or a spin-off series, but a new contract was reached with Michael Shanks for Daniel to return in season 7. The role of Jonas was therefore reduced to recurring status in season 7. Nemec welcomed the producers' openness for story pitches and offered several story ideas. He wrote the mid-season-7 episode "Fallout" and considered pitching more stories afterwards, but he became busy with other projects. Jonas is not mentioned in the series again, but after season 10's "Counterstrike" stated that the Ori conquered Jonas's homeworld, Stargate producer Joseph Mallozzi said in his blog that "in mind, Jonas went underground and is still alive somewhere, resisting the Ori army."