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WhenStar Trek: The Next Generationpremiered in 1987, it had some quite large space boots to fill. The originalStar Trekseries 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 aStar Trekseries 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,TNGintroduced Patrick Stewart’s Captain Jean-Luc Picard, an entirely different kind of leader, along with a diverse crew aboard the USS Enterprise-D.
TheTNGcasting process would go on to affect the future of the franchise for decades to come and continues to impactStar Trektoday. 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 cameto changing the course of Starfleet history.
Reggie Jackson Could’ve Been Geordi?
Dated Jun 30, 2025, 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 inTNG. 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 havecompletely 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.
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 inStar Trekhistory. Yet, before Stewart controversially landed the part, several other actor’s names were thrown around the production office:
Interestingly,Star Trekcreator Gene Roddenberrydidn’t want Patrick Stewart as Picardeven 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 theStar Trekcaptain.
Patrick Stewart’s performance as Captain Jean-Luc Picard became one of the most defining aspects ofTNG. His commanding presence, intellectual approach to leadership, and moral fortitude set him apart from Captain Kirk’s swashbuckling style. Some ofTNG’s most powerful moments came fromStewart’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, elevatingTNGand lending an air of sophistication to the Enterprise.
In Another Timeline, For Sure
Denise Crosby’s portrayal of Tasha Yar left a short-lived but still massive mark onTNG. Yet, the memo lists other actresses considered for the role:
Perhaps most intriguingly, ifanyof 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 infamousdeath 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.
This Tin Man Definitely Has A Heart
Brent Spiner’s portrayal of Data is one ofTNG’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.
Spiner brought warmth, humor, and depthto 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.
TheTNGCast That Could Have Been
CastingTNGwas 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? WouldTNGeven have survived its early seasons without the chemistry of its actual cast?
Thankfully,the final lineup became legendaryand created a ton of the show’s most notable characters and iconography. But it’s fun to imagine thewhat-ifs—and maybe in some alternate timeline, we’re all debating whetherYaphet KottoorWesley Snipeswas the betterTNGcaptain.
