Mumbai: Scottish actor Robert Carlyle has been cast in the leading role of Dr. David Rush on SCI FI’s highly anticipated new original series, Stargate Universe, the latest adventure in the Stargate franchise produced by MGM television.

Production will begin in Vancouver in February ’09 with an eye toward a summer 2009 premiere. Additional casting is currently underway.

"We couldn’t be more excited to set Carlyle for Stargate Universe. He brings a depth, intelligence, and complexity to his roles, which will fit perfectly with the fresh, new reinvention of this franchise," said Universal Cable Productions executive vice president original programming for SCI FI & co-head original content Mark Stern.

Edgier and younger in tone than the two previous series, SGU follows a band of soldiers, scientists and civilians, who must fend for themselves as they are forced through a Stargate when their hidden base comes under attack. The desperate survivors emerge aboard an ancient ship missing in the far reaches of space. As they fight to survive, Dr. Rush (Carlyle) works to unlock the mysteries of the ship and return the group home, but evidence of his ulterior motives soon arises.

Brad Wright and Robert Cooper, co-creators of Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis and who both currently serve as executive producers on Atlantis, will serve as executive producers and writers on the new series.

Stargate Universe will debut as a two-hour movie event on SCI FI and will be distributed by MGM Worldwide Television Distribution.