The following story contains MAJOR SPOILERS for the upcoming second half of Season 3 of "Stargate: Atlantis."

Actor Paul McGillion and his character, Dr. Carson Beckett, won't make it all the way as regulars through the current third season of the SciFi Channel series, "Stargate Atlantis," according to the GateWorld Web site. McGillion and his alter ego will disappear after the third season resumes new episodes early in 2007, the site reported.

Series executive producer N. John Smith reportedly confirmed the news at a recent event in England, telling fans that Beckett won't die, but instead will "disappear" during the second half of the current season. The door will be left open for McGillion to return in Season 4, but not as a regular, GateWorld says.

If this is the case, then McGillion will essentially be following the same path trod by former "Atlantis" star Rainbow Sun Francks who left the cast as a regular but returned for several episodes.

"I think each character is beginning to find the different layers and sometimes the darker side of the characters," McGillion said. "I can tell you one thing for Beckett as a character in the second half of the season, there's a lot of major plot lines that are developed throughout with Beckett in mind and I think the fans will be in for some big surprises."

A new medical officer is rumored to be played by actress Jewel Staite, according to GateWorld. Staite is best-known as Kaylee in the short-lived Fox series "Firefly" and its movie spin-off, "Serenity." She also played a Wraith character on an episode of "Stargate: Atlantis" last year.

The second half of Season 3 for "Stargate: Atlantis" is expected to premiere in March on the SciFi Channel.