If Star Trek continued for at least one more season, do you think that Diana Muldaur would have been added to the cast somehow?
Diana Muldaur:
- Thread starter In_Correct
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It's doubtful. Why would she be?
No. Cast salaries were a major drain on the budget by the time the third season rolled around. At that point, Takei and Nichols were already reduced to day player status to save money, and I suspect they would have done the same to Koenig if the show had gone to a fourth season.
Takei and Nichols day players? And all this time they thought they were stars? 
In an alternate universe, Diana Muldaur would've made a fantastic Number One.
She certainly did the rounds as a common guest star in a lot of shows in the seventies. I liked both her characters and would have liked to see either one again. Miranda Jones was more complex than say Troi, with more intriguing character flaws. Mulhall was the most senior woman rank-wise that we saw in TOS, she also seemed to be an engineer as well as an astrobiologist - a ton of potential.
However, Trek was not really ready to have a female lead character, as evidenced by Rand's poor showing. It was easier to have guest characters to showcase as a one-off. She might have returned for another guest slot I suppose.
However, Trek was not really ready to have a female lead character, as evidenced by Rand's poor showing. It was easier to have guest characters to showcase as a one-off. She might have returned for another guest slot I suppose.
I think @Harvey's answer is pretty definitive. And even without such a tight budget, I still doubt Star Trek could have beaten the offer of the high-profile, big money (eventual flop) series The Survivors that she did in '69. Also I'm not certain she would have accepted; she turned down a regular role in McCloud in 1970 because the parts for her character were too small and she knew they would remain so as the show was so firmly centered on Dennis Weaver. I'm not sure being fourth fiddle on Star Trek would have appealed to her at that point.
Was this ever actually proposed? First I've heard of it.
Was this ever actually proposed? First I've heard of it.
Takei and Nichols day players? And all this time they thought they were stars?
Yes, did they ever break out of "day player" status?
Takei was a part time regular for seasons 1&2. Nichols was a part time regular for the first 13 episodes of season 2.
A
Amaris
Guest
When I saw the title, my first response was "she better not be dead!"
Seriously, I don't think my heart can take too many more losses of the people and characters I love. Now, on to your topic, I think that her being offered a role in the original series wouldn't have been likely. She was a bit part, and while I personally loved her role (and my gods, she was stunning!), there wasn't any reason to bring her back full time.
Seriously, I don't think my heart can take too many more losses of the people and characters I love. Now, on to your topic, I think that her being offered a role in the original series wouldn't have been likely. She was a bit part, and while I personally loved her role (and my gods, she was stunning!), there wasn't any reason to bring her back full time.
I always thought Gene Roddenberry would have worked magic and somehow added her to the cast, even if it was just an infrequent semi semi-recurring role appearing as often as Mr. Kyle or some thing. I read somewhere that he was friends with her or a fan of hers before the show began. Or was it after the show began??
I've been watching Star Trek recently on Netflix. I was amazed how sporatic Uhura, Sulu, and Chekhov were on during the Star Trek run. I think the convention fans made those actors as big as they were, I felt they were featured players but not cast members ala ensemble TNG.
Those actors were immaterial to the stories told because the stories were focused solely on Kirk, Spock, & McCoy. It would've been better off the production cast a younger sect of minority performers, including the films. Paramount would've saved a lot of money. And there wouldn't be such despicable jealousy and grudges from Takei, and Nichol for the last 50 years.
For a 4th season, if there was 1, I would've liked to see Muldaur in several episodes; I doubt she would commit to more eps, she was constantly busy and didn't want to be tied down to a contract by a studio.
I've been watching Star Trek recently on Netflix. I was amazed how sporatic Uhura, Sulu, and Chekhov were on during the Star Trek run. I think the convention fans made those actors as big as they were, I felt they were featured players but not cast members ala ensemble TNG.
Those actors were immaterial to the stories told because the stories were focused solely on Kirk, Spock, & McCoy. It would've been better off the production cast a younger sect of minority performers, including the films. Paramount would've saved a lot of money. And there wouldn't be such despicable jealousy and grudges from Takei, and Nichol for the last 50 years.
For a 4th season, if there was 1, I would've liked to see Muldaur in several episodes; I doubt she would commit to more eps, she was constantly busy and didn't want to be tied down to a contract by a studio.
She played two other characters. Adding her to the cast of already underutilized characters would have been unnecessary.
I like S3. But - a fourth season definitely needs a shake-up. So a new, recurring character would be good. Enter Ms. Muldaur. A female admiral Kirk has a love-hate relationship with every few eps? A female engineer who contradicts Scotty's approach, but is sometimes right and provides a needed feminine voice to the male troika-plus-one? A yeoman unhappy with the secretary role who gives voice to the nascent women's movement? Quick, somebody hire me.
The first two suggestions would've been quite interesting for her and the scenarios they might have introduced to the show's benefit. I think though, she would likely have been the oldest female yeoman ever portrayed, which might have been a bit discordant to accept. Excellent actress regardless!
It looks like she was in one episode each season (beginning with Season 2) If there was a 4th season, then she could have appeared in one episode for the 4th season, ... 5th season, etc. All she'd have to do is wear a wig or dye her hair. Surely Diana Muldaur and the producers would have agreed to at least that!
They got away with having her in two roles... she's definitely striking and memorable, therefore it would be hard to keep throwing her at the audience in more roles. She had a respect and sense of loyalty to Roddenberry, though, she's said so. That's why she was in Genesis II, Earth II, whatever that was. He found a way to keep using her when he could. I'd have loved to have seen Ann Mulhall back in a recurring role.
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