The Hilarious Reason Daniel Had to Grow a Beard on Stargate SG-1

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It’s worth noting that if you take a step back and squint slightly, it’s possible to mistake Stargate SG-1 actors Michael Shanks and Ben Browder for each other during their peak period on the show in the mid-2000s, as they share some resemblance.

By the time Browder joined the cast of Stargate SG-1 in its ninth season, Shanks (who played Dr. Daniel Jackson) had already become a well-established character on the show. Fans will remember that Browder’s character, Lt. Cameron “Cam” Mitchell, was introduced as the new commander of SG-1.

The arrival of Browder’s character in SG-1 was a delightful boost to the cast, yet it presented a minor, amusing dilemma: How would regular viewers distinguish these two characters? After all, as Shanks pointed out during an interview with GateWorld at the time, they were both tall men with blue eyes and brown hair – hardly a helpful combination when trying to tell them apart.

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Why Michael Shanks let Daniel’s beard grow out on Stargate SG-1

Under a gentle nudge from the creative team of SG-1, Shanks admitted that he felt inclined to adjust his character’s appearance slightly when Browder joined the show’s cast. This modification was intended to create a clear distinction between the relaxed Daniel and his new, more disciplined commanding officer role.

According to Shanks, he was the one who came up with the idea. The producers, presumably due to some underlying suspicion, desired an initial distinction between his character and Ben’s character. However, there are numerous fan theories linking their appearances, which they find amusing and slightly absurd.

Shanks and Browder might not have found their somewhat identical features as endearing as the SG-1 producers did, who were always eager to explore any possibilities to distinctly portray their characters. As he put it, there was a noticeable apprehension regarding the similarity in their appearances.

However, even Shanks admitted that the creative team’s aim to visually differentiate Cam from Daniel was clear to him, and since he had grown his hair in previous seasons, growing a beard was a more convenient option compared to maintaining his regular grooming routine. In fact, it provided an additional benefit for Shanks by allowing him some leeway with his real-life shaving habits.

In simpler terms, Shanks inquired if there was anything he could assist with, given that Browder had a more polished and disciplined demeanor, which allows Shanks’ character to get away with more. Essentially, he was asking if there was a task or favor he could perform.

In simpler terms, “I expressed that I have no desire to grow my hair long again, and I mentioned it might take some time. Also, I dislike having to shave daily. So, I suggested keeping the beard for a while to see how things turn out. They seemed open to this idea.

In fact, Shanks continued to be a part of the Stargate entertainment universe. This wasn’t limited to just the 10-season run of SG-1, but also extended to appearances in the 2008 SG-1 spinoff films Stargate: The Ark of Truth and Stargate: Continuum. Moreover, he even reprised his role as Daniel in episodes of both Stargate Atlantis and Stargate Universe.

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2025-05-16 22:31