Reusing actors and actresses in new characters

[NervousEnergy]

Star Trek has a pretty long tradition of reusing actors and actresses between series, and even between seasons. Sometimes they only play minor characters, but other times the character-of-the-week becomes a major character in the next show.

Armin Shimerman who played some Ferengi bit-parts in TNG, and went onto play Quark in DS9. Or James Cromwell: a few characters in TNG and went onto play Zephram Cochran in First Contact, as examples.

So, if you were in charge of casting a new Star Trek series, what particular actors or actresses would you reuse into new parts? Who did they originally play, and who would you choose them to portray?

Here are some of my choices:

Sonita Henry. She had the minor role playing the alien nurse, at the start of Star Trek 2009, and I thought she looked fantastic. I'd love to see her portray an alien nurse or CMO in a new series.

Susanna Thompson. She played the Borg Queen in Voyager (and nailed it!), and also Lenara Kahn: where she famously kissed Jadzia in 'Rejoined'. I think she would make a great Janeway-esque captain.

Stephanie Niznik. She played the Helmsman in ST: Insurrection.

 

[2takesfrakes]

I would cast Michael Dorn as a Human, Chief Medical Officer.

Wil Wheaton as a latex alien, of some kind.

Gates McFadden could even direct some episodes.

 

[BillJ]

I wouldn't rehire anyone associated with past Trek.

 

[Bry_Sinclair]

Nana Visitor as an alien Captain, a former resistance fighter who helped liberate her planet from a brutal occupation. Alexander Siddig as a genetically enhanced doctor. Nicole de Boer as a symbiotic alien counsellor. Aron Eisenberg as chief engineer from a non-allied profit-focused race. Armin Shimerman as Eisenberg characters uncle and bar owner. Cirroc Lofton as the former COs son and local news reporter.

 

[NervousEnergy]

I wouldn't rehire anyone associated with past Trek.

Any reason why?

Nana Visitor as an alien Captain, a former resistance fighter who helped liberate her planet from a brutal occupation. Alexander Siddig as a genetically enhanced doctor. Nicole de Boer as a symbiotic alien counsellor. Aron Eisenberg as chief engineer from a non-allied profit-focused race. Armin Shimerman as Eisenberg characters uncle and bar owner. Cirroc Lofton as the former COs son and local news reporter.

So, you would basically remake DS9?

 

[Bry_Sinclair]

Nana Visitor as an alien Captain, a former resistance fighter who helped liberate her planet from a brutal occupation. Alexander Siddig as a genetically enhanced doctor. Nicole de Boer as a symbiotic alien counsellor. Aron Eisenberg as chief engineer from a non-allied profit-focused race. Armin Shimerman as Eisenberg characters uncle and bar owner. Cirroc Lofton as the former COs son and local news reporter.

So, you would basically remake DS9?

Not a remake, a continuation. Picking up ten years after the end of the Dominion War and seeing where things are at now. Would include several new characters, as well as the expansive list or recurring ones too.

 

[NervousEnergy]

Not a remake, a continuation. Picking up ten years after the end of the Dominion War and seeing where things are at now. Would include several new characters, as well as the expansive list or recurring ones too.

Cool. What ideas do you have for that?

And, as the original question was actors/resses in NEW roles, do you have any in mind?

 

[BillJ]

Any reason why?

It has been nearly a decade since Trek was last on TV. A whole new generation of actors and creators are now on the scene. Trek needs to tap into that new generation both in front of and behind the camera.

 

[Ryan8bit]

But TNG used actors from TOS, and the new movies used a few actors from various Trek shows. Time doesn't really matter. I don't see any reason why a new show couldn't reuse actors, especially those previously in guest roles.

 

[NervousEnergy]

But TNG used actors from TOS, and the new movies used a few actors from various Trek shows. Time doesn't really matter. I don't see any reason why a new show couldn't reuse actors, especially those previously in guest roles.

A good example might be Diana Muldaur, who was a guest star in TOS, and then a major character in TNG.

 

[Greg Cox]

Any reason why?

It has been nearly a decade since Trek was last on TV. A whole new generation of actors and creators are now on the scene. Trek needs to tap into that new generation both in front of and behind the camera.

So you wouldn't have hired Majel Barrett to play Lwaxana Troi? Or, as pointed out, Diana Muldaur to play Pulaski?

 

[Bry_Sinclair]

Any reason why?

It has been nearly a decade since Trek was last on TV. A whole new generation of actors and creators are now on the scene. Trek needs to tap into that new generation both in front of and behind the camera.

So you wouldn't have hired Majel Barrett to play Lwaxana Troi? Or, as pointed out, Diana Muldaur to play Pulaski?

Or MB as the voice of Starfleet computers everywhere?

 

[Greg Cox]

It has been nearly a decade since Trek was last on TV. A whole new generation of actors and creators are now on the scene. Trek needs to tap into that new generation both in front of and behind the camera.

So you wouldn't have hired Majel Barrett to play Lwaxana Troi? Or, as pointed out, Diana Muldaur to play Pulaski?

Or MB as the voice of Starfleet computers everywhere?

Or Suzie Plakson as every alien under the sun?

 

[BillJ]

Any reason why?

It has been nearly a decade since Trek was last on TV. A whole new generation of actors and creators are now on the scene. Trek needs to tap into that new generation both in front of and behind the camera.

So you wouldn't have hired Majel Barrett to play Lwaxana Troi? Or, as pointed out, Diana Muldaur to play Pulaski?

Depends on what actors were available that fit the role that weren't already connected to the franchise.

As much as I like Plakson, I got tired of seeing her after a while.

 

[LOKAI of CHERON]

Nana Visitor as an alien Captain, a former resistance fighter who helped liberate her planet from a brutal occupation. Alexander Siddig as a genetically enhanced doctor. Nicole de Boer as a symbiotic alien counsellor. Aron Eisenberg as chief engineer from a non-allied profit-focused race. Armin Shimerman as Eisenberg characters uncle and bar owner. Cirroc Lofton as the former COs son and local news reporter.

So, you would basically remake DS9?

Not a remake, a continuation. Picking up ten years after the end of the Dominion War and seeing where things are at now. Would include several new characters, as well as the expansive list or recurring ones too.

I'm struggling to envisage alternate future Trek scenarios that are as rickety an idea as this. IMHO, any kind of Berman Trek "continuation" would mothball the franchise faster than you could say... umm... mothball!

 

[2takesfrakes]

STAR TREK has given us, the fans, so much enjoyment - in many cases, our entire lives - I just feel that those performers who've contributed to that and want to "come back to the house they grew up in" should be allowed to do so. I would prefer it not be a cross-over kind of thing, rather that they play different, original characters, in their guest starring roles. But these people are family - OK? - FAMILY!!! We can't just slam the door in Suzie Plakson's face if she wants to play a part in the next series. We need to tell her - sincerely tell her - "Welcome Home, honey ... we've been $aving a place, especially for you."

 

[NervousEnergy]

Out of interest, which actor or actress has played the most number of different Trek characters over the years? I don't think it's Suzie Plakson, since she only played four. Anyone have any ideas?

 

[LOKAI of CHERON]

Out of interest, which actor or actress has played the most number of different Trek characters over the years? I don't think it's Suzie Plakson, since she only played four. Anyone have any ideas?

Off the top of my head, I'd say it's probably Jeffrey Combs.

 

[Bry_Sinclair]

^ I'd probably go for Vaughn Armstrong.

 

[Bry_Sinclair]

Not a remake, a continuation. Picking up ten years after the end of the Dominion War and seeing where things are at now. Would include several new characters, as well as the expansive list or recurring ones too.

Cool. What ideas do you have for that?

And, as the original question was actors/resses in NEW roles, do you have any in mind?

Jamie Bamber as the Station's new XO, a human officer and family man who was also a POW for several months. Wentworth Miller as the new Science Officer, a Bajoran who grew up in the refugee camps. Summer Glau as the Betazoid Chief of Security, someone often underestimated due to her slight stature and heritage.