In what looks like negotiations that went down to the wire, word has been received through several sources -- including two actors -- that Sci-Fi Channel is moving forward with a "Battlestar Galactica" series.

"To my huge relief, I got a call from (Los Angeles) at 1:30 a.m. London time telling me my option had just been picked up," actor Jamie Bamber (Apollo) told "BlueSpringsBelle."

"I was surprised since I called my agent just before going to bed, and the whole thing was still being hammered out."

The mini-series, written and executive produced by former "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" producer Ronald D. Moore, was the third-highest rated product in Sci-Fi Channel's history when it aired nearly two months ago. The mini-series was a backdoor pilot, that left the option open for a series. But a list of different factors -- including the cost of making the series -- played into the decision of whether or not Sci-Fi Channel was willing to move forward with the investment.

However, according to reports, Sci-Fi Channel gave an initial greenlight to open negotiations with crew and non-contracted cast in the middle of December. (original story). Moore confirmed that negotiations were ongoing to Airlock Alpha on New Year's Eve (original story).

The main actors, including Bamber, had options in their contracts to go to a series if the cable channel picked it up. Those options were extended one month to Jan. 30 after negotiations with non-contracted workers continued longer than expected.

Aaron Douglas, who played Chief Tyrol in the mini-series, posted on the Media Blvd. message board that he also received word that his contract was picked up.

"They have ordered 13 episodes and it truly went down to the wire," Douglas said in his post. "They were negotiating with all the unions for the past few days, and earlier this afternoon, I got a call that it did not look good and that it probably would not go due to money. Then at 5:52, I got a call from Grace (Park) and she had just heard from her agent that her option had been exercised, meaning that they were intent on keeping her from doing something else. I then got a call from my agent, and he had been informed of the same. The deadline was literally 6 p.m. today for the actor contracts.

"So, there are 13 to start and Tyrol is in all 13 episodes."

According to Bamber, it was still unclear how many episodes had been ordered.

"As far as I know, they still have not decided when they will shoot, or even how many episodes other than a minimum of six," Bamber said. "That all has to be decided next week. They just went to the wire with the actors and their contracts. Every real detail is still up for grabs!"

The series will reportedly be the most expensive series Sci-Fi Channel has ever had to put together. And cost has been something that has dogged the franchise, ever since the original 1978 series, which ended up being too expensive for ABC to produce. However, with new technology, and a stronger focus on stories rather than special effects, it is expected that costs for "Galactica" can be kept down.

Sci-Fi Channel has not made an official announcement about this final go yet, but one is expected on Monday or Tuesday. The series will begin filming, possibly next month, in Vancouver, preparing for a fall release.

Talk about this story on the Airlock Alpha message boards. Click here!.