Transcription of the Paul McGillion video interview from the MGM UK
Atlantis DVD site.

http://www.mgmuk.net/stargateatlantis/

(You need to buy the Region 2 DVDs to obtain secret codes to access
the interview.) The interview length is 3 minutes, 20 seconds. Paul
speaks with his normal accent, and has a very pleasant normal voice
as well.

PAUL MCGILLION…ON THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN STARGATE ATLANTIS AND SG1

I think the shows are very different. Primarily, because this is an
international crew of civilians that are going over, where Stargate
is more military based -- that's the primary difference. And the fact
that we're in a different galaxy, I think, adds to that as well.
Audiences that do follow Stargate SG-1 will be more adept to watching
this show as well. It's a nice jumping ground; we're very fortunate
to have a show with that sort of fan base prior to our show. It's
been a great thing for us.

PAUL MCGILLION…ON HOW HE GOT CAST AS DR. BECKETT

Initially, when the casting call went out for the character, they
wanted an international flavor to this head medical doctor. And I was
born in Scotland. So I came in and did a Scottish accent. Initially,
Stewart was a little apprehensive, because -- you know, he thought it
might be a Glaswegian accent, because I've done things before where
I've done a very harsh Glaswegian accent. So I said I'll do an
educated Scottish accent, so I came in with that. There was many
talented actors, I'm sure you know, in the city, that came in with
all shapes and sizes and age groups, that came in with English, Czech
and German, and I came in with Scottish. We put in on tape once with
Stewart and then they responded favorably and I ended up hooking the
part, which is really, really a great honor, you know.

PAUL MCGILLION…ON THE ADMIRAL QUALITIES OF HIS CHARACTER

I think he's a smart man -- at least, I'd like to think so (laughs).
But he's got a sense of humor and he's got a lot of humanity I think
There's a real human side to Beckett and I think the fans will relate
to that hopefully. And they have been so far, so that's a nice thing.

PAUL MCGILLION…ON UTILIZING HIS SCOTTISH HERITAGE TO PLAY DR. BECKETT

So nice to be able to tap into your -- you know, the sensibility of
the Scots. I have that in my family, I'm one of seven kids -- six
boys, one girl. I have that -- to be able to relate to the character -
- it's in my blood. It really is. Most of my relatives are in
Scotland, Ireland and England -- but primarily Scotland. So you have
that history, and for years I've spoken to my parents with a Scottish
accent. It's funny that I land this part, and it's so nice. Sometimes
I'll roll things off on my mom and dad as far as -- because I'll
throw little things in, and the writers, Brad and Robert, all the
guys are totally open to me putting things in and they want that sort
of input and I'm very open to it because certain phrasings that the
Scots have that we put into the dialog. It's come in very handy. I'll
talk to my mom, "Give me a -- what's a word, what's a slang word for
this…little bits that I'll throw in. It's great to have that
accessibility in a phone call.

PAUL MCGILLION…ON THE FUTURE OF HIS CHARACTER IN SEASON 2

I think the character has developed more and more. Once they've
established a character -- and the character can go off planet now
too, which is great. There is a wide range of things for Beckett to
do, and the second half of the season shows that. I think he can go
more and more -- there are so many opportunities for the character.
It's really a great thing, I'm really happy.

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Morjana

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