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    From Stargate to Self-Discovery: A Conversation with Teryl Rothery

    Teryl Rothery sits down with 8 Bit Breakfast to talk Stargate SG-1, Virgin River, her journey into coaching and hypnotherapy, and whether Dr. Fraiser could return.

    CM Lisa5 min read
    Teryl Rothery interview featured image with Stargate portal background

    Some shows don’t just entertain you, they become part of your own story. Stargate SG-1 is firmly in that category. We’ve lost count of how many times we’ve rewatched the series. First during its original run, then on DVD, and now a nightly episode or an endless marathon. It’s a series that never fades away, always waiting for another return trip through the gate. And for many fans, Dr. Janet Fraiser is a vital part of the experience. So sitting down with Teryl Rothery doesn’t feel like just another interview, it feels like reconnecting with a familiar voice from a world we keep coming back to.

    Life Beyond the Gate

    Teryl Rothery beyond the gate, life after Stargate SG-1

    These days, Rothery’s world is anything but quiet. Between her work on Virgin River, Murder in a Small Town, and other ongoing projects, her schedule is packed. Notably, she’s now been part of two major long-running series: Stargate SG-1, which ran for 10 seasons, and Virgin River, currently filming its eighth season on Netflix.

    “It’s definitely busy,” she says. “But it’s a good kind of busy. Family, work, my daughter graduating, her hockey. It’s full, even if it gets hectic sometimes.”

    It’s a different kind of adventure than off-world missions, but no less demanding.

    Enter Virgin River

    Teryl Rothery as Muriel in Netflix Virgin River

    For viewers just discovering Rothery through Virgin River, her character Muriel brings a layered presence to the small-town drama.

    “I think you just have to be surprised when you meet her,” Rothery says, careful not to spoil too much.

    Muriel’s journey has stretched across multiple seasons, evolving in ways that rewards long-time viewers. And with production now deep into Season 8, there’s still more to come.

    “There’s been some really nice developments with this character.”

    A Calling Beyond Acting

    Teryl Rothery coaching and hypnotherapy journey

    Acting has always been Rothery’s foundation, something she’s pursued since she was four years old. But over time, another path began to emerge.

    “I always had this sense of wanting to help, to be of service,” she explains.

    What started as an instinct gradually became something more defined. After years of what she describes as “little taps on the door,” Rothery pursued training as an intuitive coach, eventually expanding into hypnotherapy.

    And despite pop culture’s portrayal, the reality is far more grounded.

    “It’s not about clucking like a chicken,” she says with a laugh. “The individual is completely in control. It’s about accessing what’s already in the subconscious.”

    Through The Honest Pause podcast, co-hosted with Miriam Taheriy, Rothery explores personal growth, mindfulness, and healing, often speaking with authors and experts in the field.

    “It’s about connection, and being of service in whatever way I can.”

    Revisiting Stargate SG-1

    Teryl Rothery revisiting her Stargate SG-1 legacy as Dr. Janet Fraiser

    Even now, Stargate SG-1 remains a defining part of Rothery’s legacy, and a cornerstone for fans.

    One lesser-known detail: Rothery didn’t just play Dr. Fraiser. She also stepped into the role of the Asgard Heimdall, performing the character on set in full motion capture.

    “That was actually me,” she confirms. “Motion capture suit and all.”

    It’s one of those behind-the-scenes moments that even longtime fans might miss, a reminder of how much of Stargate’s world was built through performance as much as effects.

    Moments like her return in the episode “Ripple Effect” still resonate deeply.

    “It was extremely emotional,” Rothery recalls. “To be back with all of my peers and the crew, it was overwhelming. It was lovely.”

    She notes that returning wasn’t just about stepping back into the role. It was about revisiting a world that had changed.

    “It was great to be back, but it was also different,” she reflects.

    For fans, it was one of those unforgettable scenes. For Rothery, it was just as meaningful, if not more.

    Could Dr. Fraiser Return?

    Could Dr. Janet Fraiser return in a new Stargate series

    With talk of an Amazon MGM Stargate SG-1 continuation circulating, the question isn’t whether Dr. Fraiser will return, but whether Rothery would be open to it if asked.

    She doesn’t hesitate.

    “Hell yeah. Of course.”

    She adds that she hasn’t been approached, yet. And in a universe built on alternate realities and time travel, anything still feels possible.

    Giving Back

    Teryl Rothery USO tour 25th anniversary

    Beyond the screen, 2026 marks the 25th Anniversary of when Rothery took part in a USO tour alongside fellow cast members, visiting troops overseas.

    “It was an honor,” she says. “A way of giving back.”

    The experience left a lasting impression, not just professionally, but personally. Even today, she maintains friendships with a retired member of the Air Force, connected to the show.

    The Journey Continues

    Teryl Rothery continuing her journey in acting, coaching, and connection

    Today, Rothery’s career blends performance with purpose. Whether she’s acting, podcasting, or working directly with people through coaching and hypnotherapy, the throughline remains the same: connection.

    For many fans, she’ll always be Dr. Janet Fraiser. But as this conversation makes clear, that’s only one chapter in a much larger story. One that continues to evolve in meaningful and unexpected ways.

    Stargate SG-1: The Complete Series (Super Picture Edition)

    The definitive way to own every episode of Stargate SG-1. Ten seasons, two movies, and remastered picture quality make this the collection every fan deserves on their shelf.

    Available on Amazon
    CM Lisa

    CM Lisa