Teaser poster for Stargate Origins, which will tell the story of a young Catherine

The long night is nearly over, as MGM has announced today that it plans to re-open the Stargate with a new original, live-action series.

Stargate Origins will help to launch the studio’s new digital platform and fan experience, suitably called “Stargate Command.” The subscription service will be the show’s exclusive home, as well as providing fans with additional content, developed for streaming to any device — television, phone, tablet, etc.

First, the show itself: Stargate Origins is a 10-episode digital series, which will explore the untold backstory of Catherine Langford — who first appeared in the 1994 feature film and then in Stargate SG-1‘s first season. “Young Catherine embarks on an unexpected adventure to unlock the mystery of what lies beyond the Stargate in order to save Earth from unimaginable darkness.”

Catherine’s character was present as a young child at the discovery of the Stargate in Giza in 1928, and she worked throughout her life to get the Stargate program going — facing numerous obstacles and international intrigue all through the twentieth century. (Come back tomorrow for GateWorld’s special look at Catherine’s life!)

Origins will fill in more of her important story, shining light on the events leading up to SG-1’s own beginning.

Ten episodes will run for approximately 10 minutes each, made to be digital-friendly and adding up to a single story the length of a TV movie. (Assuming that Catherine’s story is completed here future seasons could, in theory, explore other corners of the Stargate universe in the manner of an anthology.)

Directing the show is, whose experience in short-form drama includes the series Virtual Morality. Newcomers Mark Ilvedson and Justin Michael Terry are writing the show for MGM’s Digital Group and entertainment studio New Form , which will produce.

The subscription-based Stargate Command platform is meant to be MGM’s new home for the franchise and its fans, offering exclusive content not only from the production of SGO but also from the franchise’s 20-year history. MGM regards the project as a way to give back to Stargate’s fans.

“We’ve been eager to revisit the Stargate franchise and create an all-new story that honors the founding mythos and gives loyal fans more mystery and adventure,” MGM’s President of Digital & New Platforms Kevin Conroy said. “We view Stargate Origins as a thank you to fans who have been keeping the spirit of the franchise alive for nearly 25 years. With the increasing popularity of digitally native content that can be streamed to any device, MGM is committed to the production of premium linear mid-form content and are proud to launch with Stargate Origins.”

Stargate Command will have both free elements and paid content for subscribers. The studio also hopes to make the platform available to the fan community worldwide, though international plans are still being hammered out. Expect updates on both of these fronts soon.

News broke at the Stargate SG-1 celebration panel, taking place right now at San Diego Comic-Con (story).

Origins will be the fourth live-action, scripted series for the Stargate television franchise, which spans twenty years and more than 350 episodes. The most recent television incarnation, Stargate Universe, aired on Syfy Channel for two seasons and left the airwaves in May of 2011.

Pre-production on Stargate Origins is already underway and cameras are slated to begin rolling in August. The Stargate Command platform is aiming for a fall 2017 launch, though there is no word just yet on a premiere date for the series. (But note that the poster below shows “Coming 2017.”)

GateWorld will continue to be your first stop for all Stargate Origins news, full episode coverage, commentary, and analysis as the new show enters production! Follow us on Twitter and Facebook now to keep up with all the latest.

UPDATE : Watch the 30-second teaser video!

NEXT: Read the full press release

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