When Star Trek: The Next Generation premiered in 1987, it had some quite large space boots to fill. The original Star Trek series had become a cult phenomenon, spawning spin-offs, blockbusters, and legions of passionate fans who could recite entire Klingon battle poems from memory. So, launching a Star Trek series without Captain Kirk (William Shatner) or Spock (Leonard Nimoy) was a gamble bigger than betting on a Ferengi’s honesty. Instead of relying on fan favorites, TNG introduced Patrick Stewart’s Captain Jean-Luc Picard, an entirely different kind of leader, along with a diverse crew aboard the USS Enterprise-D.
The TNG casting process would go on to affect the future of the franchise for decades to come and continues to impact Star Trek today. Patrick Stewart’s portrayal of Picard, Jonathan Frakes’ charismatic Riker, and Brent Spiner’s beloved Data all became legendary performances in their own right. However, one wrong move may have sent the franchise spiraling in an entirely different direction, and a leaked 1987 production memo reveals just how close Paramount came to changing the course of Starfleet history.
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The 1987 Memo: A Glimpse Into Another Reality
Reggie Jackson Could’ve Been Geordi?
Dated April 13, 1987, and addressed to studio head John Pike from producer John Ferraro, the memo details various actors who were selected to audition and considered for key roles in TNG. It provides a rare behind-the-scenes look at the decision-making process that led to the final casting. While some of the names are surprising, this wasn’t just a casual brainstorming session—these were serious contenders, some of who would have completely changed the tone (and possibly success) of the series.
This memo provides modern Trekkies with an incredible amount of “what if” scenarios, with many fans imagining their ideal combination from the list and others defending all of the choices made. However, a general consensus remains that any different casting pick, particularly for a lead role like Picard, would have rippled through the franchise, causing a butterfly effect.
Captain Picard: Casting a British Guy
Can You See Anyone Else In The Role?
The decision to ultimately cast Stewart as Picard thankfully gifted us one of the most legendary captains in Star Trek history. Yet, before Stewart controversially landed the part, several other actor’s names were thrown around the production office:
- Mitchell (Mitch) Ryan: Known mostly for his work in Magnum Force and Dharma & Greg, Ryan’s Picard might have exuded a more rugged demeanor. If Ryan had been cast, we also might not have gotten his iconic performance in Lethal Weapon, with the production schedule coming dangerously close to TNG.
- Yaphet Kotto: Recognized for his roles in Alien and Live and Let Die, Kotto’s alternate-reality Picard might have brought a new level of intensity. His signature commanding voice in the captain’s chair would have led to a different dynamic aboard the Enterprise, perhaps even ushering in a more authoritative leadership style and a grittier show overall.
- Patrick Bauchau: A Belgian actor who began his career in French New Wave Cinema, including Éric Rohmer’s famous La Collectionneuse. Bauchau would actually have fit creator Gene Roddenberry’s initial vision for the role of Picard as a suave Frenchman.
Interestingly, Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry didn’t want Patrick Stewart as Picard even after he was selected. Stewart himself has said that Roddenberry struggled to accept him in the role, supposedly spouting, “What the hell? I don’t want a bald, middle-aged Englishman,” at Stewart’s audition. In a 2020 interview, Stewart himself reflected, “I think he never really fully accepted me as Captain Picard.” Despite this, Stewart’s undeniable talent won over the rest of the production team, and his performance ultimately redefined the archetype of the Star Trek captain.
Patrick Stewart’s performance as Captain Jean-Luc Picard became one of the most defining aspects of TNG. His commanding presence, intellectual approach to leadership, and moral fortitude set him apart from Captain Kirk’s swashbuckling style. Some of TNG’s most powerful moments came from Stewart’s ability to deliver intense monologues, such as in “The Measure of a Man,” where he passionately defends Data’s rights, or in “Chain of Command” when he endures psychological torture and defiantly proclaims, “There are four lights!” His portrayal made Picard not just a captain but a philosopher and diplomat, elevating TNG and lending an air of sophistication to the Enterprise.
Lieutenant Tasha Yar: The Character Who Should Have Lived
In Another Timeline, For Sure
Denise Crosby’s portrayal of Tasha Yar left a short-lived but still massive mark on TNG. Yet, the memo lists other actresses considered for the role:
- Rosalind Chao: Chao was initially rejected only to be later chosen for the role of Keiko O’Brien in both TNG and Deep Space Nine. Her casting as Tasha could have altered not only the character’s trajectory but also O’Brien’s role as exo-botanist and teacher and Chao’s own involvement in the Star Trek universe.
- Julia Nickson: Like Chao, Nickson was also cast in Star Trek in a smaller role after her audition for Yar. She played Lian T’Su in TNG Season 1 and returned to briefly portray the character Cassandra in DS9 Season 2. Today, Nickson is primarily known for her role in Rambo: First Blood Part II. If chosen as Yar, the Singaporean actor would have lent an entirely different physicality to the role.
Perhaps most intriguingly, if any of these other actresses had been cast, the character of Yar might have actually survived past season one. Denise Crosby, who was ultimately chosen for the part, chose to leave the show due to frustration with her character’s lack of development. This led to Tasha’s abrupt and infamous death by sentient oil slick (RIP, Skin of Evil).
With a different actor in the role, the writers may have taken a more inspired approach, giving the chief of security a more fleshed-out arc instead of the abrupt, tragic exit. Maybe another actor would have stuck it out in hopes of more character development down the road. However, many fans believe everything happened exactly as it was meant to—as Chao landing the role would have meant missing out on her later appearances in the franchise.
Lieutenant Commander Data: The Android’s Alternate Faces
This Tin Man Definitely Has A Heart
Brent Spiner’s portrayal of Data is one of TNG‘s most beloved performances, balancing logic and emotion with a uniquely endearing awkwardness. But the casting memo reveals that other actors were considered, and they could have made Data’s character very different.
- Mark Lindsay Chapman: Known for Titanic and The Langoliers, Chapman’s Data might have leaned more toward a cold, detached android rather than Spiner’s curious and humorous version. Episodes like “Measure of a Man” could have taken on a more grim, legalistic tone.
- Eric Menyuk: Later appearing on TNG as The Traveler, Menyuk might have infused the Data character with a more mystical, otherworldly quality. His interpretation might have made Data’s journey into humanity feel more existential and abstract rather than primarily emotional.
Spiner brought warmth, humor, and depth to a character who might’ve otherwise been completely devoid of heart, particularly in episodes like “The Offspring”, where Data’s grief over his daughter’s death conjured real-life human tears in many fans. Imagine a different actor trying to capture that emotional weight—it’s hard to do. Data’s awkwardness, especially in “The Naked Now”, was endlessly charming, and that could have been lost with a different interpretation. Ultimately, Spiner made Data iconic by infusing him with a unique blend of innocence and intellect that would have been sorely missed in his absence.
Other Notable Casting Considerations
Where Would We Be Without The Riker Maneuver?
- Lieutenant Geordi La Forge: While LeVar Burton secured the role, notable actors like Wesley Snipes and Tim Russ (who later portrayed Tuvok in Star Trek: Voyager) were also seriously considered. Snipes’ portrayal might have introduced a more action-oriented Geordi, potentially influencing episodes like “The Enemy” to focus more on physical prowess—a chief engineer doing kickflips?
- Commander William Riker: Jonathan Frakes became synonymous with Riker, but actors like Michael O’Gorman and Ben Murphy were also in the running. An alternative Riker could have shifted the character’s charm and leadership style, affecting dynamics in episodes like “The Best of Both Worlds.” Without Frakes, though, we may not have The Riker Maneuver (a.k.a. sitting in chairs weirdly).
- Doctor Beverly Crusher: Gates McFadden’s portrayal is well-loved, yet actors Anne Twomey and Jenny Agutter were considered as well. Agutter, known for Logan’s Run and An American Werewolf in London, might have brought a different sensibility to the role, potentially forever altering the mother-son relationship explored in “The Bonding.”
- Wesley Crusher: Unlike other roles, Wesley Crusher only had one casting option—J.D. Roth. Despite Wil Wheaton securing the role early on, the character became one of the most divisive in TNG, with many fans criticizing Wesley as an unrealistic child prodigy who often solved problems that more experienced officers couldn’t. May even believe Crusher to be Roddenberry’s self-insert character, which could explain why there wasn’t much debate about casting.
The TNG Cast That Could Have Been
Casting TNG was an evidently complex and wild ride, with numerous talented actors considered for each role. This memo proves just how close we were to a very different show. Could a Mitch Ryan Picard have worked? Would Snipes’ Geordi have been dodging phaser blasts with style? Would TNG even have survived its early seasons without the chemistry of its actual cast?
Thankfully, the final lineup became legendary and created a ton of the show’s most notable characters and iconography. But it’s fun to imagine the what-ifs—and maybe in some alternate timeline, we’re all debating whether Yaphet Kotto or Wesley Snipes was the better TNG captain.
