The Next Generation set wasn’t always so smooth as we’ve come to find out

by

As a long-time admirer of Sir Patrick Stewart, it’s fascinating to delve into his transformative journey from a stern, no-nonsense actor to the witty and humorous star we know today. His experiences on Star Trek: The Next Generation were indeed formative, shaping him into a man who could command a room with authority yet soften our hearts with laughter.

Reflecting on Star Trek: The Next Generation’s cast, it’s common to picture a tight-knit team that feels more like a family than just colleagues. Over the course of its seven seasons, Patrick Stewart, LeVar Burton, Gates McFadden, Jonathan Frakes, Michael Dorn, Brent Spiner, and Marina Sirtis were the core ensemble of characters.

Others, such as Wil Wheaton and Denise Crosby, didn’t have as significant roles on the show compared to some of the main characters. When one considers the strong camaraderie among the cast members, it is primarily the “core seven” who come to mind. However, it’s important to note that they weren’t always close; their friendships developed over time.

At certain instances, Stewart might come across as bluntly impolite. To put it mildly, one might describe him as difficult or challenging at times. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter in 2023, he recalls periods when he wasn’t the most pleasant company, admitting to the publication that he could be less than amiable.

“I could be a severe bastard. My experiences at the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre had been intense and serious … On the TNG set, I grew angry with the conduct of my peers, and that’s when I called that meeting in which I lectured the cast for goofing off and responded to Denise Crosby’s, ‘We’ve got to have some fun sometimes, Patrick’ comment by saying, ‘We are not here, Denise, to have fun’.”

At this stage of the series, it’s important to mention that the relationships among the crew were yet to evolve into what they are today. Back then, Captain Stewart tended to maintain a more serious demeanor and approached situations with a sense of gravity.

Currently, at the age of 84, he’s a regular on Seth MacFarlane’s American Dad series, lending his voice to the character Avery Bullock, a man known for his wild lifestyle. Back in the mid-1980s, Stewart would have never been associated with such outlandish behavior. It’s evident that over the years, he has evolved and become more relaxed as an actor.

Read More

2024-08-29 03:23