Hawaiian actor Jason Momoa appeared in lifeguard drama Baywatch before landing the role of Satedan warrior Ronon Dex in Stargate Atlantis. With the fourth season about to be released on DVD, Momoa spoke to Bryan Cairns about fighting and leaving his shirt on.

The Season 3 finale spun the series into a new direction. What were your thoughts on it?

It was interesting because we didn’t know what was going to happen until we came back with the whole Weir thing so, in a sense, it was neat doing that Lost in Space thing. It took a darker turn.

Ronon had a line about how he felt helpless during the Replicators’ assault. With Atlantis in floating mode, has he had the opportunity to kick into high gear and do what he does best?

He is still kind of helpless against them…There is not so much hand-to-hand, which is kind of boring, but at the same time there are a lot more villains that show up this year. There are some neat guest stars because I am reunited with the people that I love, those Satedans. I thought my best friends were dead, but it turns out they are working for the dark side. I leave Atlantis to be with them and then I have to kill my best friends, so there is a lot of neat stuff this season.

So would you consider that episode a sequel to the one last year, Sateda?

That is what it is. This year they called me back and told me about the episode. I had a lot of different ideas about what I wanted to do this year and they had already written it, which was nice. It is good as an actor when you get to touch those little places in your heart.

How does Season 4 feel with the new cast and dynamic?

It doesn’t feel like a different show or anything like that, but there are new energies in it. Not having Paul McGillion here, who is a good buddy, it is just a little different. But the new members of the team are great. I mean, Jewel Staite is a sweetheart and I have a lot of stuff with her this year. It is just different because your friends aren’t there but as far as character-wise, I don’t like anyone anyway so it just works out! [laughs]

How would you describe Ronon’s fighting style?

It is a little bit of everything. I do a lot of swords, some knives, and mostly just punches and head butts. I am not a big kicker. I trained with James Bamford who choreographs our fights. We have some fight reels that are pretty sweet.

As the big muscle on the show, do you have to work hard to keep that physique?

No, it is too hard. Before the season starts, what I try to do is climb, get in shape, and ride a bike. Once we start rolling, everything dissipates so by the end of the year, I am all ugggh. Until they come in and say, “Ummm, you are supposed to be the bulk of the show!” - then I would go to the gym…It is a good thing I don’t have to take my shirt off. I am so excited to wear clothes. I hate taking my shirt off!

Stargate Atlantis: Series 4 Vol. 1 is released on region 2 DVD on 2 June 2008.

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