But there's recently been a bit of controversy over a casting call that was leaked to the web, describing quadriplegic character Eleanor Perry, who "possesses" Ming-Na's lesbian character Camile, then apparently turns her straight" Stargate Responds To Lesbian Body-Switching Outrage.
[ELEANOR PERRY] (35-40) and quite attractive. A brilliant scientist who happens to be a quadriplegic. Affected since childhood, her disability has rendered her body physically useless. However, after being brought on board the Destiny as the only person who may be able to save the ship and her crew from certain annihilation, she is given temporary powers that enable her to walk again and to finally experience intimacy.sptv050769..Strong guest lead. NAMES PREFERRED. ACTRESS MUST BE PHYSICALLY THIN. (THINK CALISTA FLOCKHART).The character's description offended a lot of fans, who took issue with the casting calls' word choice, as well as the stereotypes and erroneous assumptions about both disabled citizens and lesbians.
Syfy and Stargate's producers were quick to respond. They admitted that the language in the character breakdown was "insensitive and inaccurate," and apologized for it. But they also explained that that the call sheet and casting sides were taken out of context, and that there's a bigger picture to the issues -- including body-switching -- that the show will be grappling with.
We'll have to see what it all looks like when the episode in question finally airs. Read all about it at io9 here. And learn more about Stargate Universe at the official website here. The show is scheduled to premiere on Syfy as a two-hour movie on October 2.
