Summary
- TNG could get a successful big-screen reboot like The Original Series thanks to modern Hollywood actors.
- Recasting TNG crew is tough as original cast members were irreplaceable. But new actors could coexist.
- TNG's best moments revisited with possible modern actors for revamped roles, bringing new energy.
Who would play the crew of the USS Enterprise-D if Star Trek: The Next Generation were rebooted as a new movie? With J.J. Abrams' blockbuster films, Star Trek: The Original Series has already gotten a successful big-screen reboot, and TNG could benefit from the same treatment. Following the adventures of Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) and the USS Enterprise-D, TNG had an amazing cast of characters who became just as popular as Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner) and his Enterprise crew. Recasting the TNG crew would be no easy feat, as many of the actors came to embody the characters they played.
Throughout Star Trek: The Next Generation's seven seasons, the crew of the USS Enterprise-D became a family and the cast members remain close friends today. While TNG's original cast members are irreplaceable, they could coexist alongside a new cast for a big-screen reboot. With actors like Michelle Yeoh, Jason Isaacs, Holly Hunter, and, most recently, Paul Giamatti, modern Star Trek has been incredibly successful with its casting. Many big-name Hollywood actors love the Star Trek franchise and would jump at the chance to be a part of it. Here are 10 modern actors who could portray an updated cast of Star Trek: The Next Generation.
10 Julian Hilliard as Wesley Crusher
Originally portrayed by Wil Wheaton
Although he is currently only 12 years old, Julian Hilliard has already appeared in numerous hit television shows and films. As young Luke in Mike Flanagan's The Haunting of Hill House, Hilliard perfectly captured the fear and wonder of a young, curious boy living in a creepy old mansion. Hilliard also portrayed Billy Maximoff, one of Wanda Maximoff's (Elizabeth Olsen) twins, in WandaVision and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
Not only does Hilliard already have experience playing the son of Elizabeth Olsen's Wanda, but he seems more than capable of playing the young boy genius, Wesley Crusher. Wesley may not have been TNG's most popular character, but Wil Wheaton did the best he could with the role, and the character always had potential. Julian Hilliard could bring new energy to the role and round out the regular cast of TNG.
9 Marie Avgeropoulos as Counselor Deanna Troi
Originally portrayed by Marina Sirtis
Best known for portraying Octavia Blake on the CW's post-apocalyptic drama The 100, Marie Avgeropoulos would make a great Counselor Deanna Troi. Early in The 100, Octavia is one of the show's most empathetic characters, but she becomes a formidable warrior as the show progresses. Still, Avgeropoulos has the right look for Troi, and she showed her range as an actress on The 100.
In the first three seasons of The 100, Octavia is involved in a romantic relationship with Lincoln (Ricky Whittle), a warrior from a group of survivors called the Grounders. With their very different personalities, this relationship is reminiscent of the one between Deanna Troi and Worf in Star Trek: The Next Generation's final season. Like Marina Sirtis, Marie Avgeropoulos also has Greek parents.
8 Elizabeth Olsen as Dr. Beverly Crusher
Originally portrayed by Gates McFadden
In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Elizabeth Olsen showed her incredible range as an actress, playing Wanda Maximoff (aka The Scarlet Witch) as a frightened orphan, a powerful Avenger, a devoted wife and mother, and a malevolent force fueled by her grief. In WandaVision, in particular, Olsen got to lean into her domestic tendencies before eventually unleashing the full might of her power.
Elizabeth Olsen has been nominated for two Golden Globe awards, for her performance as Wanda Maximoff in WandaVision and as housewife Candy Montgomery in HBO's Love & Death.
Like Dr. Beverly Crusher, Wanda would do anything for her children, but she's also a strong and capable woman outside of her role as a mother. On Star Trek: The Next Generation, Dr. Crusher was incredibly empathetic, but was also willing to stand up to Captain Picard when needed. Elizabeth Olsen has already proven more than capable of playing both sides of a role like Dr. Crusher.
7 John Boyega as Lt. Geordi La Forge
Originally portrayed by LeVar Burton
British actor John Boyega rose to fame after playing Stormtrooper-turned-rebel Finn in Star Wars: The Force Awakens and its two sequels. Like Geordi La Forge, Finn has a strong sense of empathy and morality, choosing to join the resistance rather than participate in the cruelty of the First Order. Boyega starred in the Netflix science fiction comedy They Cloned Tyrone as multiple characters, proving his versatility as an actor.
John Boyega also portrayed King Ghezo alongside Viola Davis's General Nanisca in the historical epic The Woman King. While Boyega's performance in Star Wars: The Force Awakens was almost universally praised, the character of Finn was underutilized in the two sequels. Boyega has proven himself to be a talented actor who could undoubtedly play the brilliant and compassionate Geordi La Forge.
6 Laz Alonso as Lt. Worf
Originally portrayed by Michael Dorn
As Marvin T. "MM (Mother's Milk)" Milk on Amazon Prime's The Boys, Laz Alonso has both the warrior mentality of Worf and his strong sense of morality. The Boys has a skewed morality compared to Star Trek, but MM is often the one holding Billy Butcher (Karl Urban) back from his darker impulses. MM is out for revenge against the defense contractor that owns the superhero team known as the Seven, which also draws comparisons to Worf.
Laz Alonso portrayed the villain in the fourth film in the Fast & Furious franchise, and he played Na'vi warrior Tsu'tey in James Cameron's Avatar. In The Boys and Avatar, Alonso plays both MM and Tsu'tey as strong and loyal warriors who also have a soft side. Life Worf, they fight for what they believe in and would protect their friends and families with their lives.
5 Matt Smith as Lt. Commander Data
Originally portrayed by Brent Spiner
British actor Matt Smith has the perfect look and acting range to portray the USS Enterprise-D's resident android, Data (Brent Spiner). On the BBC's Doctor Who,Matt Smith brought a childlike wonder to the Eleventh Doctor, while also making it believable that he was a 900-year-old time lord. Both of these characteristics would serve him well playing Data, as the android is both ageless and childlike.
Matt Smith was nominated for an Emmy for his portrayal of Prince Philip in Netflix's The Crown, and currently stars as Daemon Targaryen on HBO's House of the Dragon, a prequel to Game of Thrones. With all of these very different roles, Matt Smith has shown that he has just as much range as Brent Spiner, who portrayed both Data and his evil twin Lore (as well as several members of the Soong family).
4 Richard Madden as Commander William Riker
Originally portrayed by Jonathan Frakes
Scottish actor Richard Madden has played princes, spies, and superheroes, and elements of all of these characters could be incorporated into a portrayal of Commander William Riker. Riker was an accomplished Starfleet officer who became less uptight as Star Trek: The Next Generation progressed, and Madden has the charm to play Riker as a ladies' man and the leadership qualities to play him as First Officer of the Starship Enterprise.
As Robb Stark in HBO's Game of Thrones, Madden commanded armies before his untimely death at the infamous red wedding. Like many Star Trek actors, Madden has also performed in numerous Shakespeare plays. In 2016, he starred as Romeo in a West End production of Romeo and Juliet, alongside Lily James as Juliet, and directed by Kenneth Branagh.
Richard Madden won a Golden Globe award for his performance as war veteran and police officer Sergeant David Budd in the critically acclaimed miniseries, Bodyguard.
3 Toby Stephens as Captain Jean-Luc Picard
Originally portrayed by Patrick Stewart
No one could ever replace Patrick Stewart as Captain Jean-Luc Picard, but British actor Toby Stephens could make the role his own. Stephens delivered an incredible performance as the ruthless pirate Captain James Flint in Starz's Black Sails, and he could bring the same commanding energy to the role of Picard. As both Captain Flint and John Robinson in Netflix's Lost in Space, Stephens has played a strong and capable leader who remains calm in a crisis.
Most recently, Toby Stephens appeared as the Greek god Poseidon in the Disney+ adaptation of Percy Jackson and the Olympians.
Like Patrick Stewart, Toby Stephens began his acting career on the stage and is a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company. Stephens has starred in numerous Shakespeare plays, including a portrayal of Hamlet for the 2004 Royal Shakespeare Company production. Not only has Stephens proven he can lead the cast of an ensemble show, but he can also perform the hell out of a speech, a quality necessary for Captain Picard.
2 David Tennant as Q
Originally portrayed by John de Lancie
Scottish actor David Tennant has the perfect chaotic energy to play the omniscient god-like being known as Q. As the Tenth Doctor on Doctor Who, Tennant perfectly captured the sometimes manic, but always intelligent and profoundly compassionate nature of the Doctor. David Tennant's version of Q could also incorporate elements of his Good Omens character, Crowley, who enjoys wreaking havoc on occasion, but genuinely cares for his friend Aziraphale (Michael Sheen).
The energy David Tennant brought to the manipulative villain Killgrave on Marvel's Jessica Jones could come in handy in playing the darker Q of early TNG. When Q later developed a fondness for Picard, he became more playful, which is where Tennant's Doctor energy would come in handy. Like many British actors, Tennant has also performed in numerous Shakespearean adaptations and even played Hamlet alongside Patrick Stewart's Claudius.
1 Lisa Berry as Guinan
Originally portrayed by Whoopi Goldberg
Another important recurring character on Star Trek: The Next Generation was Whoopi Goldberg's Guinan, who served as the bartender in Ten Forward on the USS Enterprise. Like many real-world bartenders, Guinan was always willing to listen and offer advice to any of the crew members on board. As Billie the Reaper on the CW's Supernatural, Lisa Berry was believable as an ageless being who often knew more than she let on.
Later in Supernatural, Billie became Death incarnate, making her even more powerful and knowledgeable.
Berry certainly has the right energy to play Guinan as someone who will tell you what you need to hear rather than what you want to hear. Berry had quite a screen presence on Supernatural and she could bring that same compelling energy to playing the enigmatic El Aurian bartender. Whether or not the characters of Star Trek: The Next Generation ever get recast, there are many talented actors who would be perfect for a role in a potential reboot.
