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Practically an Indiana Jones in space, Dr. Daniel Jackson is at the core of the Stargate franchise by discovering the secret of the device's operation in "Stargate SG-1" and later provided some much needed input to get "Stargate: Atlantis" off the ground when it first premiered in 2004.

And now, after both shows have finished their run, another Stargate-themed series is about to take its first steps ... and Dr. Jackson will be back to push it through the event horizon.

However, don't expect to see a massive role for the space-faring archaeologist – Michael Shanks' role this time is purely to give "Stargate: Universe" a bit of context for the existing fanbase.

"I will say I got the script and there’s a good chance Daniel will be making a brief cameo along with some other people from the Stargate universe," Shanks said in an interview with The Official Stargate SG-1/Atlantis Magazine. "That’s probably as much as I can say without getting my nuts chopped off. I’m literally in there for two seconds to provide some brief information. I’m not an integral part of it at all."

As fans of the franchise will know, the Stargate works by seven symbols (locked in place through chevrons) relating to six constellations in the night sky with the seventh being the point of origin. These symbols form an address that allows the device to create a wormhole. An eighth symbol can be added as an area code to contact another galaxy ... but in "Stargate: Universe" a ninth chevron will be discovered. Although it has not been confirmed, it is widely believed that Daniel's presence will help explain such a discovery.

Using their new found knowledge of the gate, Stargate Command will send a team (led by Robert Carlyle) through the wormhole to a ship of the Ancients called the Destiny. Once aboard, though, the craft will activate and the team will be forced to carry out its 1,000-year-old mission.

This premise will take the series further away from the "stroll through the gate" setup of its predecessors, showing just how versatile the franchise can be ... and that is one of the factors Shanks attributes to its success.

"Every time I’m on a different show and we talk about our careers and I mention the fact 'Stargate' went on for 10 years, most actors’ jaws drop to the ground," Shanks said. "When I was in London last year and was talking with Patrick Stewart, he was like, '10 years! Wow!' And he was on a successful show for seven years ['Star Trek: The Next Generation'] and the movies as well, so he had some perspective.

"Ten years is quite a stint when you put the double digits on there playing the same character. If I was on 'CSI' where you are doing the same thing with the real-life character, it might be a little boring. It’s kind of the same old, same old. I got to do so much more with Daniel over those seasons."

"Stargate: Universe" launches on Syfy, the new name of the SciFi Channel, Oct. 2.