"Stargate SG-1" ran for an impressive 10 seasons from 1997 to 2007, and during that time the cast changed quite a bit. "It was my idea," the actor said, adding that it was a way to differentiate him from Browder, who bore a passing resemblance to Shanks at the time. "They wanted, obviously, to have a little, at least initial difference between Ben [Browder] and I," said Shanks, who added that he thought the concern emerged from "sheer paranoia." Prior to playing Colonel Mitchell, Browder played wayward astronaut John Crichton on "Farscape" and caught the attention of the "SG-1" producers for his performance. Browder was almost cast as two different "Stargate Atlantis" characters before the producers finally found a home for him on "Stargate SG-1."