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Annie Wersching, Who Played Borg Queen on ‘Star Trek: Picard,’ Dies at 45

Ms. Wersching was best known for playing the Borg Queen on the Paramount+ “Star Trek” series. She was also on the television series “24,” “Bosch” and “Timeless.”

By Livia Albeck-Ripka

The actress Annie Wersching, best known for her roles in positions of authority on television series like “Star Trek: Picard,” “24,” “Bosch” and “Timeless,” died on Sunday in Los Angeles. She was 45.

The cause was cancer, her publicist, Craig Schneider, said in a statement. He noted that even after Ms. Wersching was diagnosed in 2020, she continued her acting work, playing the Borg Queen on the second season of “Picard,” a “Star Trek” spinoff on Paramount+, as well as the serial killer Rosalind Dyer on the ABC crime series “The Rookie.”

Ms. Wersching was also known for playing Julia Brasher, a police officer on the Amazon series “Bosch,” and Emma Whitmore, an engineer, on the NBC series “Timeless.” On Fox’s “24,” about a counterterrorism team that protects the United States from potential attacks, she played the F.B.I. special agent Renee Walker, which she once called “a dream role.”

“She gets to experience so much action and do so many stunts; she is so cool,” Ms. Werschling told Alive St. Louis magazine in 2009. “Plus, I can relate to her; in real life, I’m not too much of a girly girl.”

Ms. Wersching also provided the voice for the character Tess in The Last of Us , a 2013 video game that has recently been adapted into a television series on HBO, with Anna Torv as Tess.

In an interview on the Paramount+ show “The Ready Room,” Ms. Wersching described playing the Borg Queen as “certainly a little intimidating.” She noted that she had familiarized herself with the role and those who had previously played it before going forward with her own interpretation and performance. “It’s such an iconic role,” she said. “I’m incredibly excited to have everyone see.”

Ms. Wersching was born on March 28, 1977, and raised in St. Louis. Her parents, Sandy and Frank Wersching, were involved in the local arts community. Her father died when she was 12.

Annie spent her youth competing in Irish dance with the St. Louis Celtic Stepdancers. She graduated from Crossroads College Preparatory School in 1995 and received a B.F.A. in musical theater from Millikin University in Decatur, Ill., in 1999. She had intended to make a career in theater but changed her mind after she was on tour with a musical in Los Angeles and went to a live taping of the sitcom “Stark Raving Mad.”

“I thought, ‘This is the best of both worlds — they are performing like it’s theater with the audience interaction, but you are on TV,’” she told Edge magazine. “This is the dream.”

She moved to Los Angeles in 2001.

She is survived by her husband, Stephen Full, whom she married in 2009, and three children, Freddie, Ozzie and Archie Full.

“There is a cavernous hole in the soul of this family today,” Mr. Full said in a statement. “But she left us the tools to fill it. She found wonder in the simplest moment. She didn’t require music to dance. She taught us not to wait for adventure to find you.”

Mr. Full noted that whenever he and his sons left their house, Ms. Wersching would shout “Bye!” until they were out of earshot.

“I can still hear it ringing,” he added.

Amisha Padnani contributed reporting.

Livia Albeck-Ripka is a reporter for The Times based in California. She was previously a reporter in the Australia bureau. More about Livia Albeck-Ripka

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Annie Wersching Dies; ‘Star Trek: Picard’ Borg Queen Actress Was 45

| January 29, 2023 | By: TrekMovie.com Staff 32 comments so far

Sunday brings shocking news that Annie Wersching passed away. First reported on social media, the news was confirmed by Wersching’s family. She played the Borg Queen in the second season of Star Trek: Picard .

RIP Wersching

According to reports Wersching died of cancer after learning of her diagnosis in 2020. Even after getting the news, the actress continued to work, with her recurring role in the second season of Star Trek: Picard as the Borg Queen being one of her final parts.

Allison Pill as Jurati and Annie Wersching as Borg Queen

In a statement (via Deadline ) Wersching’s husband said: “There is a cavernous hole in the soul of this family today. But she left us the tools to fill it. She found wonder in the simplest moment. She didn’t require music to dance. She taught us not to wait for adventure to find you. ‘Go find it. It’s everywhere.’ And find it we shall.”

Wersching may best be known for her role as FBI agent Renee Walker in two seasons of 24 . She also had regular roles on Bosch  and Runaways as well as recurring roles in Timeless and The Vampire Diaries . Her final roles were in Picard and a recurring role on The Rookie .

Annie Wersching attending Star Trek Day event in Los Angeles –  September 8, 2021

Trek community remembers Wersching

The surprising news of Wersching’s passing has generated an outpouring of condolences from the cast and crew of Star Trek: Picard … and beyond.

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Jeri Ryan (@jerilryan)

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Alison Pill (@msalisonpill)

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by ☾𝑖𝑠𝑎 𝑏𝑟𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑠☽ (@isacamillebriones)

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Michelle Hurd (@realmichellehurd)

https://t.co/3UOp6iOc5n — Terry Matalas (@TerryMatalas) January 29, 2023

This was Annie Wersching pic.twitter.com/6KioDkIGct — daní ᱬ (@LtMenalippe) January 29, 2023

Just hearing of this now. Impossible to process. So much passion, energy and love for her work. Such a joy to work with. She loved this role so much and really had fun with it. Damn. pic.twitter.com/hQKqiAQoqh — Dave Blass (@DaveBlass) January 29, 2023

I just heard about this. Losing a member of the Trek fam is always heartbreaking. All of my love & condolences to the friends and family of #AnnieWersching . https://t.co/31rdtXPfKi — Anson Mount (@ansonmount) January 29, 2023

A true loss to our Trek family, and to television. May she rest in God’s peace. #RIP #AnnieWersching https://t.co/qyQvxwwOkc — Doug Jones (@actordougjones) January 29, 2023

TrekMovie offers our condolences to the friends and family of Annie Wersching.

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So sad, so talented, so young.

<cry emoji>

She was one of the most memorable parts of Picard so far. Condolences to her family and friends.

Wow this is so shocking! I guess she didn’t tell anyone and she looked fine when she was doing interviews for Picard. After going through the pandemic (which is still killing tons of people even though most have practically forgotten about it) it’s another reminder any of us can go at any time or age.

That’s why I’m retiring in 2 months, at 57. Life is short.

When my beloved mom-in-law was fighting Stage IV lung cancer (though she never smoked a day in her life), she was taking a specific immunotherapy drug for her cancer which was of a specific genetic type.

She didn’t slow down much at all during her remaining time until about a month or so before her end, when the cancer had mutated and the drug was consequently no longer effective. From there it was a quick and steep decline. Maybe that was the case with Ms. Wersching. : (

You have to admire someone who most likely knew their time was limited and still threw themselves into life with verve that she apparently have. I find it truly inspiring.

Very sad to learn of her passing. Her Borg Queen was the right combinations of playful, seductive, and terrifying.

I had a hard time believing this news. She was the best part of S2 of Picard. She was amazing and terrifying at the same time. My thoughts are with her family tonight.

She was one of the best parts of Picard Season 2 and brought greatness to the role.

Oh my god, I knew Annie. She was so nice. This is heartbreaking. I had no idea she was even sick. Those poor kids.

Very sad news. How awful for her young children to lose their mother. Her performance was a highlight of season 2 of Picard and knowing now what she was dealing with during filming it’s even more impressive. RIP.

Rough news, and hitting close to home, having lost my brother to cancer about seven weeks ago. MRNA research can’t find a cure/vastly superior treatments fast enough… :-(

I’m so sorry to hear that. There’s no right way to grieve, we just try to muddle through in our own ways and find a way to live with the scars but also the happy memories.

So sorry to hear this. Condolences to you and your family for your loss.

My sincerest condolences…

Very sad news. She was so young and talented and I’m sure her family and friends are absolutely devastated. RIP.

Can’t believe this, watched several interviews and she looked so full of good vibes and energy. Such an amazing actor playing the Queen. Her performance was one of the highlights of Picard Season 2.

Breaks my heart thinking about her kids. My condolences to her family and friends. R.I.P.

Loved her on “24,” “Bosch,” and “Picard.” That’s a very bright light that just went out. :(

This is so sad. Annie Wersching’s Borg Queen was brilliant … right up there with Alice Krige. The interplay between Wersching and Allison Pill made up the most exciting parts of those middle six episodes (of PIC S2). So very sad she’s gone.

That video of Annie had me laughing and crying at the same time. I was ALWAYS impressed by her work. SHE WILL BE MISSED.

Very sad news. I’m currently re-watching Picard S2 in the run up to S3 and she was terrific in her role as the Borg queen. Annie Wersching was an undisputed highlight of S2. I also remember she appeared in an episode of Enterprise.

The Queen is dead, Long live the Queen! This is so tragic and unexpectedly sad, she was only 45 years of age. May she rest in peace.

This is truly sad news. She was a great incarnation of the Borg Queen.

It reminds me of the early Trek movies when we lost so many guest stars at such a young age… Merritt Butrick, Persis Khambatta, Bibi Besch It’s hard to lose those great talents at 85, but 45… so, so utterly sad…

Agree and well observed about early Trek movie losses.

She took a character created by Alice Krige and played it with relish. Sad to hear of her passing.

This is sad news and very unexpected. Far too young for this to happen to anyone. Annie Wersching was one of those instantly recognisable familiar faces on television; always an excellent actress too. She was great on 24 and Timeless, and of course most recently our very own Star Trek.

Rest in Peace. My condolences to Annie’s family and friends.

Love, Love, Love Timeless. Probably my all time fave show. I wanted a new season. But without Annie it wouldn’t be the same.

So sad, so talented. So bee Hive Queen vibes… my Condolences to her Family and Friends

This is so sad. Rest in Peace.

I’m shocked! I am a trekker from Sweden. Picard is very popular on Amazon Prime here in Sweden! Annie was perfect as the Borg Queen! R.I.P Annie Wersching

RIP and my condolences to her family. : (

Cancer is a killer and, as much as you can deny it, especially when you’re young, life is really short. Love is the answer and trying to live a life that is decent, kind, and good. Everyone will have regrets in the end, but we should work to be the best we can be.

Ms. Wersching sounds like she was a wonderful person, a loving mother and wife, and a gifted performer. The outpouring of love from her family and friends is evidence of that. She sounds like a person who’s life was well-lived. Bless her! My thoughts and prayers are with her family at this truly horrible time for them.

Depressing news. When I saw the announcement, it didn’t mention her Picard role and didn’t know THAT until I got to this site. I’m just numb. I’ve had relatives drop just about every 30-45 days the last few months. Its awful. Her Borg Queen portrayal was creepy with the blackened eyes, but effective.

Kenneth Mitchell, Star Trek and Captain Marvel actor, dies aged 49

Kenneth Mitchell, an actor best known for playing several roles in Star Trek: Discovery, has died aged 49.

Mitchell died more than five years after being diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), his family announced on Sunday.

"With heavy hearts we announce the passing of Kenneth Alexander Mitchell, beloved father, husband, brother, uncle, son and dear friend," the family wrote in a statement posted to Instagram.

"For five-and-a-half years, Ken faced a series of awful challenges from ALS.

"And in truest Ken fashion, he managed to rise above each one with grace and commitment to living a full and joyous life in each moment."

Four unique Star Trekkers

Mitchell is best known for playing four Klingon characters in Star Trek: Discovery from 2017-2021.

During the first two seasons of Discovery, Kenneth played three Klingon characters — Kol, Kol-Sha, and Tenavik.

In season three, Mitchell returned as Aurellio, a character whose storyline carefully incorporated the personal use of a power wheelchair.

In an Instagram post in 2021, the actor said he was "incredibly grateful" to play Aurellio — a scientist born with a genetic defect.

He described the role as "a reminder that despite one's disabilities there is always room for possibility and ability".

Mitchell also starred as Eric Green on the post-apocalyptic TV drama Jericho, and most recently in the 2019 film Captain Marvel.

The Star Trek world paid tribute to Mitchell following the news of his death.

"The entire Star Trek family sends their condolences to Mitchell's family, friends, loved ones, and fans around the world," StarTrek.com wrote.

'Like I was in my own movie'

The TV star was diagnosed with ALS in 2018. He revealed it to the public in a 2020 interview with People.

"The moment they told us it was ALS, it was like I was in my own movie," Mitchell said.

"That's what it felt like, like I was watching that scene where someone is being told they have a terminal illness."

The neurodegenerative disease, which causes the loss of physical function, led Mitchell to require the use of a wheelchair from 2019.

He is survived by his wife, Susan, and their two children.

What is ALS?

ALS is the most common type of motor neurone disease (MND) that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord .

The disease attacks the body in such a way that it becomes weakened, movement is affected, and it eventually leads to muscle paralysis.

To clarify, MND is the widely used generic term in Australia, the UK, and parts of Europe. ALS is used more generically in the United States, Canada, and South America.

What is ALS caused by?

The Mayo Clinic says:

The exact cause of the disease is still not known . A small number of cases are inherited. Researchers continue to study possible causes of ALS. Most theories centre on a complex interaction between genes and factors in the environment.

What are the symptoms of ALS?

According to the Mayo Clinic, ALS often begins with muscle twitching and weakness in an arm or leg, trouble swallowing, or slurred speech.

As the condition progresses, the symptoms get worse and include:

• Trouble walking or doing usual daily activities
• Tripping and falling
• Weakness in the legs, feet or ankles
• Hand weakness or clumsiness
• Slurred speech or trouble swallowing
• Weakness associated with muscle cramps and twitching in the arms, shoulders and tongue
• Untimely crying, laughing or yawning
• Thinking or behavioural changes

Eventually, ALS affects control of the muscles needed to move, speak, eat, and breathe.

Eyesight, hearing, taste, smell, and touch are not affected. Nor are bladder and bowel function.

Is there a cure?

According to the Mayo Clinic, there is no cure for this fatal disease .

Half of people with ALS die within 14 to 18 months of diagnosis. However, some people with ALS live 10 years or longer.

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"Star Trek" actor Kenneth Mitchell dead at 49 after ALS battle

By Aliza Chasan

February 25, 2024 / 6:18 PM EST / CBS News

Actor Kenneth Mitchell, known for his work on "Star Trek," died Saturday, according to StarTrek.com . He was 49.

Mitchell was diagnosed with ALS, a neurodegenerative disease, more than five years ago, according to a statement posted to his Instagram  page. According to the statement, he faced "awful challenges" in those years.

"And in true Ken fashion, he managed to rise above each one with grace and commitment to living a full and joyous life in each moment," the statement said. "He lived by the principles that each day is a gift and that we never walk alone."

ALS , also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, affects the nerve cells that make muscles work in both the upper and lower parts of the body, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The disease makes the nerve cells stop working and die. 

In the U.S., more than 30,000 people are believed to be living with ALS, and an average of 5,000 people in the country are diagnosed with ALS each year. Most people with ALS live from two to five years after symptoms develop.

On Aug. 10, the actor shared an Instagram post about what living with ALS was like.

"It's been a long 5 years. So much lost, so much gained. Incredibly hard times, mixed with so many more blessings," he wrote. "At the heart of it all are friends and family, caregivers and doctors coming to the aid of my family over and over and over again."

Mitchell first publicly spoke about his diagnoses in a 2020 interview with PEOPLE .

"The moment that they told us it was [ALS], it was like I was in my own movie," Mitchell told PEOPLE. "That's what it felt like, like I was watching that scene where someone is being told that they have a terminal illness. It was just a complete disbelief, a shock."

Mitchell appeared in several roles after his diagnosis. 

He played the Klingons Kol, Kol-Sha, and Tenavik, as well as Aurellio, on "Star Trek: Discovery," according to StarTrek.com . He also voiced several voice characters in an episode of "Star Trek: Lower Decks."

Mitchell was also known for his work in the TV series "Jericho" and "The Astronaut Wives Club" and his acting in "Miracle" and "Captain Marvel."

In the Instagram post announcing his death, Mitchell was remembered him as a daydreamer, nature explorer, cat lover and "more than anything else, a proud father."

Mitchell is survived by his parents, his wife and their two children. According to StarTrek.com, Mitchell asked that any gifts be directed toward ALS research or toward his children.

Aliza Chasan is a digital producer at 60 Minutes and CBSNews.com. She has previously written for outlets including PIX11 News, The New York Daily News, Inside Edition and DNAinfo. Aliza covers trending news, often focusing on crime and politics.

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Kenneth Mitchell, Star Trek and Captain Marvel actor, dies aged 49

Canadian actor who played several Star Trek characters died after complications from ALS, according to a statement on Instagram

The Canadian actor Kenneth Mitchell, known for roles in Star Trek: Discovery and the Marvel film Captain Marvel , has died following complications from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS.

Mitchell, who was 49 years old, died on Saturday, according to a statement released by his verified Instagram account.

“With heavy hearts we announce the passing of Kenneth Alexander Mitchell, beloved father, husband, brother, uncle, son and dear friend to many,” the statement said .

“For five and a half years Ken faced a series of awful challenges from ALS. And in truest Ken fashion, he managed to rise above each one with grace and commitment to living a full and joyous life in each moment,” it added.

“He lived by the principles that each day is a gift and that we never walk alone. His life is a shining example of how full one can be when you live with love, compassion, humour, inclusion, and community,” it continued.

In a statement on the official Star Trek website, the franchise also mourned the death of the actor who played multiple roles in Star Trek: Discovery including Klingons Kol, Kol-Sha, and Tenavik, as well as Aurellio.

“The entire Star Trek family sends their condolences to Mitchell’s family, friends, loved ones, and fans around the world,” it added.

In addition to his Star Trek roles, Mitchell also starred in the Marvel film Captain Marvel, as well as the post-apocalyptic television series Jericho, among other projects.

Mitchell is survived by his wife, Susan May Pratt, and their two children, and has requested any gifts be directed towards ALS research or in support of his children, the Instagram statement said.

With an average of 5,000 people diagnosed every year in the US, ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Symptoms include difficulty walking, slurred speech as well as muscle weakness which eventually impacts chewing, swallowing, speaking and breathing.

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Gary Graham, star of 'Star Trek' and 'Alien Nation,' dead at 73 due to cardiac arrest: Reports

Gary Graham, best known for his role in "Star Trek: Enterprise," died Monday, according to reports from the New York Times and the Hollywood Reporter . He was 73.

The actor passed away due to cardiac arrest at a hospital in Spokane, Washington, according to his wife of almost 25 years, Becky Graham, per the Hollywood Reporter .

Susan Lavelle, Graham's ex-wife, also confirmed news of his death in a Facebook post on Monday. Becky was with him when he passed away, Lavelle wrote in her post.

"I want to express that during my time with Gary Graham, he was not only immensely talented and committed to his craft but also a person of great generosity," Lavelle told USA TODAY. "He had a deep love for animals, a strong sense of patriotism, a profound faith in God, and an unwavering adoration for his daughter, Haylee. Gary was truly one of a kind – his voice, appearance, acting, and style were all unmistakably unique. The world will never see another Gary Graham. I extend my heartfelt condolences to our wonderful daughter, Haylee Graham, during this difficult time."

Who is 'Star Trek' actor Gary Graham?

Graham, born in Long Beach, California, on June 6, 1950, had a successful career in TV during the 1970s with appearances in shows including "The Incredible Hulk," "Starsky and Hutch," "Police Woman," and "Eight Is Enough," He also made his mark in movies with roles in "The Spy Within," "The Last Warrior," "The Arrogant," "All the Right Moves," "Robot Jox," and "Steel."

Remembering those we lost: Celebrity Deaths 2024

According to the New York Times, in 1976, he appeared in an episode of "The Quest," a western series starring Kurt Russell and Tim Matheson, which marked his first credited role.

Gary Graham's movie and prominent TV show roles

Graham acted as a character named Soval in 12 episodes of "Star Trek: Enterprise" and played Tanis in an episode of "Star Trek: Voyager." He then joined the fan-made "Star Trek" projects, including "Star Trek: Of Gods And Men," after his role in "Enterprise."

Throughout his career, Graham also acted in several science-fiction roles. He acted as Detective Matthew Sikes in the 1989 series "Alien Nation" and in "Alien Nation: Dark Horizon" (1994), the movie. He also acted in four other movies named "Alien Nation: Body and Soul" (1995), "Alien Nation: Millennium" (1996), "Alien Nation: The Enemy Within" (1996), and "Alien Nation: The Udara Legacy" (1997).

17 Star Trek Actors Who Died In 2023

Nichelle Nichols, groundbreaking 'Star Trek' actor, dead at 89

Nichelle Nichols, the groundbreaking actor who played Lieutenant Nyota Uhura on the original "Star Trek" series, has died.

She was 89.

Nichols' death was confirmed on Sunday by her son, Kyle Johnson, on her website. Johnson said his mother died of natural causes.

"Her light, however, like the ancient galaxies now being seen for the first time, will remain for us and future generations to enjoy, learn from, and draw inspiration," Johnson said in a statement posted to the website.

Johnson said his mother's life was "well-lived and as such a model for" everyone. He asked for privacy for the family.

Nichols and her “Star Trek” character Uhura broke barriers as one of the first Black female leads on television.

Rod Roddenberry, executive producer of the current iterations of "Star Trek" and son of the show's creator Gene Roddenberry mourned Nichols' passing on Sunday.

"It is with great sorrow that we report the passing on the legendary icon Nichelle Nichols," he tweeted. "No words."

Nichols, was born in Illinois as Grace Nichols. She was discovered in Chicago by composer and musician Duke Ellington as a teenager while working as a dancer and choreographer, according to the National Space Society , for which Nichols was on the board of governors.

"As I learned to believe in my talent, my voice, myself, I learned that I could make others believe as well," Nichols wrote on her website .

Prior to appearing in "Star Trek," Nichols was an accomplished dancer but only had a handful of acting roles.

Nichols appeared on "Star Trek" in its debut season in 1966. Initially, she considered leaving the show, feeling her character lacked depth. However, after meeting Martin Luther King, Jr., who was a fan of the show, she decided to stay.

It was then she worked alongside Roddenberry to give Uhura revolutionary authority and dominance, something not seen prior in that era of television.

"When I was on those wonderful sets with all of the cast members, the universe of Star Trek began to feel not so much a fantasy but an opportunity to lay the groundwork for what we might actually achieve by the 23rd Century … a bold aspiration and an affirmation of Uhura as we eagerly await her arrival," Nichols wrote on her website.

One moment that broke boundaries, in 1968, was a kiss between Nichols' Uhura and and William Shatner's Capt. James T. Kirk on the episode “Plato’s Stepchildren.” The episode helped to re-shape what viewers thought of as acceptable on television and was an early statement about the acceptance of interracial marriages.

After the original "Star Trek" ended, Nichols became a spokesperson for NASA, according to her website. She helped to recruit astronauts and appeared in PSAs.

NASA credited Nichols with helping to recruit Sally Ride and Frederick Gregory, according to the Los Angeles Times .

"In motivating them as others once did me, it’s as if my life had come back, full circle, to where the dreams of a young woman began," she wrote about the experience on her website.

On Sunday NASA memorialized Nichols as a global inspiration who helped it evolve.

"We celebrate the life of Nichelle Nichols, Star Trek actor, trailblazer, and role model, who symbolized to so many what was possible," the agency tweeted. "She partnered with us to recruit some of the first women and minority astronauts, and inspired generations to reach for the stars."

In her autobiography, she wrote that she loved attending "Star Trek" conventions, the LA Times reported.

Following news of her death, co-stars and admirers alike mourned her loss.

"I shall have more to say about the trailblazing, incomparable Nichelle Nichols, who shared the bridge with us as Lt. Uhura of the USS Enterprise, and who passed today at age 89. For today, my heart is heavy, my eyes shining like the stars you now rest among, my dearest friend," tweeted George Takei, who played alongside Nichols as "Star Trek" helmsman Hikaru Sulu.

Bernice King, daughter of Martin Luther King, Jr., praised Nichols for her representation.

"Representation matters. Excellence in representation matters even more. Thank you, #NichelleNichols ," she wrote. "Rest well, ancestor."

Kalhan Rosenblatt is a reporter covering youth and internet culture for NBC News, based in New York.

Star Trek Actors You May Not Know Passed Away

In  "Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country," Klingon Chancellor Gorkon (David Warner), attending a diplomatic dinner aboard the Enterprise, raises a toast to "the undiscovered country ... the future." But Gorkon, who's quoting Shakespeare, has the Bard's meaning wrong: in "Hamlet," the title character uses the phrase to refer not to the future, but to death, what lies beyond it, and our fear of what that might be.

Sadly, Gorkon himself crosses over to the "undiscovered country" shortly thereafter, and actor David Warner himself exited stage left in 2022. We're equally sorry to say that a lot of actors from the "Star Trek" universe — the now-vast spectrum of TV shows and movies that the franchise has generated — have also made that journey to the great unknown that waits beyond this plane of existence.

It's hardly surprising that many talented actors involved with a decades-old property have moved beyond the realm of human understanding. But while some left us years ago, others have only passed on more recently. Regretfully, a lot of names didn't make the already sizable list we've compiled, but the ones we have included all made a mark on "Trek" history in some large or small fashion, whether you knew they had passed away or not.

Jeffrey Hunter (Captain Christopher Pike)

Before Captain James T. Kirk took the center seat on the Enterprise, she was commanded by Captain Christopher Pike. Jeffrey Hunter played Captain Pike in the original "Star Trek" pilot, "The Cage," but when NBC asked for a second pilot, Hunter refused to return. Multiple accounts by other key "Star Trek" personnel suggest that his wife at the time played a major role in his decision, which led "Star Trek" creator Gene Roddenberry to cast William Shatner as the newly rechristened Captain Kirk.

Pike remained part of "Trek" canon, with Roddenberry incorporating footage from "The Cage" into a two-part episode called "The Menagerie." As for Hunter, his modestly successful career had already included roles in the groundbreaking Western "The Searchers" (1956) and the Biblical epic "King of Kings" (1961), in which he played Jesus Christ. He continued to work in films and TV after "Trek," but suffered a brain hemorrhage on May 26, 1969, at his home in Van Nuys, California, and fell down some stairs, fracturing his skull. The 42-year-old Hunter died the next morning, on May 27, 1969.

Roger C. Carmel (Harry Mudd)

While the Klingons and Romulans were recurring enemies on the original "Star Trek," only one individual villain appeared on the show more than once: Harcourt Fenton "Harry" Mudd, interstellar con man, indelibly portrayed in Season 1's "Mudd's Women" and Season 2's "I, Mudd" by character actor Roger C. Carmel.

In his early 30s when he played Mudd, Carmel had already racked up a sizable amount of credits on Broadway, TV, and in film when he got the nod. He voiced the character once more for "Mudd's Passion," a 1973 episode of "Star Trek: The Animated Series," and made guest appearances on "The Man from U.N.C.L.E.," "The Dick van Dyke Show," "Batman," "The Munsters," "Hawaii Five-0," "All in the Family," "Laverne and Shirley," and many others. Carmel later shifted mostly to voice work before playing "Senor Naugles" in a successful but short-lived ad campaign for a Mexican restaurant chain called Naugles.

Carmel died at age 54 on November 11, 1986. Although the official cause of death was "hypertrophic cardiomyopathy" — a disease of the heart muscles — rumors persisted for years that he either committed suicide or overdosed.

Merritt Butrick (Dr. David Marcus, T'Jon)

In  "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan," Admiral James T. Kirk finally confronts a secret from his past — namely, that he has a grown son named David from a previous relationship with Dr. Carol Marcus (Bibi Besch), head of the Genesis Project. Although father and son are initially not on good terms, they reconcile by the end of the film — only for David to meet his death at the hands of the Klingons in "Star Trek III: The Search for Spock."

David was played by Merritt Butrick, a Florida native who amassed a steady amount of work between 1981 and 1989 — mostly on TV — that included a regular role as Johnny Slash on "Square Pegs" and a guest appearance on the "Star Trek: The Next Generation" Season 1 episode "Symbiosis" as an alien named T'Jon. Unfortunately, his career was cut short when he died at age 29, due to complications from AIDS, on March 17, 1989.

Susan Oliver (Vina)

Susan Oliver had been working since 1955 in TV and movies when she was asked to appear as Vina, a human woman imprisoned on the planet Talos IV in "The Cage," the first, unsold pilot for "Star Trek." Vina appears in different guises throughout the show, most notable as a green Orion slave girl who does an erotic dance to tempt Captain Christopher Pike. Oliver's green-painted visage — the result of a long, tedious make-up process — became an enduring image of "Star Trek" after footage from "The Cage" was recycled for the two-part Season 1 episode "The Menagerie."

Oliver continued to act and even direct, mostly on TV, into the late '80s and was nominated for an Emmy for a supporting role in the 1976 TV movie "Amelia Earhart." She was also a licensed commercial pilot who attempted to become the first female pilot to fly from the U.S. to Moscow, but was refused entry to Soviet airspace. She died from lung cancer on May 10, 1990 at the age of 58. A documentary about her life, "The Green Girl," was released in 2014.

Jill Ireland (Leila Kalomi)

One of the most memorable episodes of "Star Trek: The Original Series" was Season 1's "This Side of Paradise," in which the crew comes under the influence of a euphoria-inducing spore while visiting a space colony. One of the colonists, Leila Kalomi, once had an unrequited crush on Mr. Spock, who of course could not return her love — until she exposed him to the spores in a bid to keep him with her on the planet.

Leila was played by Jill Ireland, an English actor who also appeared in '60s TV staples like "Ben Casey," "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea," "My Favorite Martian," and five episodes of "The Man from U.N.C.L.E.," the latter with then-husband David McCallum. But she was perhaps best known for her personal and professional collaboration with tough-guy actor Charles Bronson, whom she married in 1968. She made some 15 films with him, including "The Valachi Papers," "The Mechanic" (both 1972), and  "Death Wish II"  in 1982. Ireland and Bronson remained married until her death at age 54 from breast cancer — for which she became a dedicated awareness advocate — on May 18, 1990.

Bibi Besch (Dr. Carol Marcus)

Like many "Star Trek" veterans, Vienna-born actor Bibi Besch developed an extensive career in television and film since making her debut in 1966, turning up on hit shows like "The Rockford Files," "Murder, She Wrote," and "The Golden Girls." But she did not appear on a "Trek" TV series — instead, she played Dr. Carol Martin, inventor of the Genesis Project and mother of James T. Kirk's estranged son David in "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan."

Besch's post-"Khan" work included a reunion with that film's director, Nicholas Meyer, for the disturbing 1983 nuclear war TV film "The Day After," along with recurring roles on "Falcon's Crest," "Northern Exposure," and "The Jeff Foxworthy Show." Besch kept working right up until her death from breast cancer at the age of 54 on September 7, 1996, and even showed up in an episode of "Melrose Place" that aired two days after her passing.

Mark Lenard (Romulan Commander, Sarek)

After the original regular cast, there may have been no "Star Trek: The Original Series" actor more closely associated with the show than Mark Lenard. The actor first appeared in the classic Season 1 episode "Balance of Terror" as the commander of a Romulan vessel playing a deadly cat-and-mouse game with the Enterprise. He returned in Season 2 as Sarek, the estranged father of Mr. Spock, in the equally popular episode "Journey to Babel."

Lenard voiced Sarek for the "Yesteryear" episode of "Star Trek: The Animated Series," and showed up as a Klingon commander in 1979's "Star Trek: The Motion Picture" — making him the only actor to play a member of the three major "Trek" alien races. He donned the ears again as Sarek for three feature films, also reprising the character in the "Sarek" and "Unification Part I" episodes of "Star Trek: The Next Generation."

Sarek was clearly Lenard's most famous role, but his journeyman career also included extensive work on the stage as well as guest spots on "The Incredible Hulk," "Hawaii Five-0," "Mission: Impossible," and a recurring role as General Urko on the short-lived 1974 "Planet of the Apes" series. Lenard died on November 22, 1996, at the age of 72 from cancer.

Persis Khambatta (Lieutenant Ilia)

Born in Bombay in 1948, Persis Khambatta became, in 1965, just the third Indian woman in history to compete in the Miss Universe pageant. Her work as a model led to small roles in a handful of Bollywood and British pictures before she was picked to play Lieutenant Ilia, the bald Deltan navigator of the Enterprise. Khambatta agreed to shave her head for the role, which was initially developed in 1977 for the  "Star Trek: Phase II" TV series before that was abandoned in favor of the 1979 film "Star Trek: The Motion Picture." 

Her appearance in "ST: TMP" led to more roles in films like "Nighthawks" and "Megaforce," and although she was a contender for the title role in the James Bond thriller "Octopussy," the part went to Maud Adams. Guest shots on shows like "MacGyver" and "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman" followed. Plagued since 1980 by health problems, Khambatta succumbed to a heart attack in Mumbai (formerly Bombay) on August 18, 1998, at the age of 49.

DeForest Kelley (Dr. Leonard McCoy)

Born in Georgia in 1920, DeForest Kelley pursued acting after serving in World War II and landed his first role in the 1946 film "Fear in the Night." A consistent if not especially remarkable stream of film, stage, and TV gigs followed, with his role as Morgan Earp in 1957's "Gunfight at the OK Corral" getting him cast mostly as villains for the next nine years.

Although he was at one point considered for the role of Mr. Spock, Kelley appeared in neither of the show's two pilots, "The Cage" and "Where No Man Has Gone Before." Series creator Gene Roddenberry offered him the role of the Chief Medical Officer, renamed McCoy, prior to the beginning of production on Season 1, and Kelley went on to appear in all but three episodes during the show's three-year, 79-episode run. He also voiced McCoy in "Star Trek: The Animated Series."

Like many "The Original Series" cast members, Kelley hit a dry spell in the 1970s until he got the call for "Star Trek: The Motion Picture." That led to five subsequent films and a brief cameo on the premiere episode of "Star Trek: The Next Generation." McCoy's signature line — "I'm a doctor, not a..." — his mix of sarcasm and compassion, and his chemistry with William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy made "Bones" McCoy an indispensable part of "Star Trek." Kelley died of stomach cancer at the age of 79 on June 11, 1999.

John Colicos (Commander Kor)

Canadian actor John Colicos made "Star Trek" history as Kor, the show's first major Klingon adversary, in the original series' Season 1 episode "Errand of Mercy." According to Marc Cushman's "These Are The Voyages," Colicos was supposed to play Kor again in Season 2's "The Trouble with Tribbles" and Season 3's "Day of the Dove," but was unavailable both times. He — along with the actors who did play the main Klingon antagonists on those segments — later appeared on "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine," reprising Kor in the episode "Blood Oath."

In addition to two more episodes of "Deep Space Nine," Colicos' other sci-fi credentials include the role of Count Baltar on  the original 1978 "Battlestar Galactica" and voicing Apocalypse on "X-Men: The Animated Series" in the mid-1990s. Before his death at age 71 on March 6, 2000, after several heart attacks, Colicos had compiled nearly a hundred screen credits — but he'll always be the first Klingon.

Frank Gorshin (Commissioner Bele)

Actor and impressionist Frank Gorshin was at the center of one of "Star Trek"'s most overt studies of bigotry and racism, the Season 3 episode "Let That Be Your Last Battlefield." Gorshin played Commissioner Bele of the planet Cheron, whose skin was white on the left and black on the right. Bele was in pursuit of an escaped political prisoner named Lokai (Lou Antonio), who sought asylum on the Enterprise — and whose crime was being white on the right and black on the left.

Gorshin is best known for his Emmy-nominated portrayal of the Riddler on the 1960s "Batman" TV series and its spinoff movie. According to CBR , his version of the Riddler was actually influenced by the villain's return in the comics, where the Riddler had been dormant for more than a decade.

Along with the usual gamut of TV and movie credits, Gorshin was popular in Las Vegas nightclubs for his impressionist act. He performed the same act several times on "The Ed Sullivan Show," including on the historic night in 1964 that the Beatles made their US debut on the program. A lifelong smoker, Gorshin died of lung cancer and emphysema on May 17, 2005, at the age of 72.

James Doohan (Chief Engineer Scott)

No one loved the Enterprise more than her Chief Engineer, Lieutenant Commander Montgomery Scott, and James Doohan's portrayal of the "miracle worker" is a cornerstone of the "Star Trek" universe — even if, according to  "Inside Star Trek: The Real Story," creator Gene Roddenberry almost fired him following his debut in the second pilot, "Where No Man Has Gone Before." Instead, Doohan's "Scotty" was an integral part of all three seasons of the original series, the animated series, and seven of the feature films, as well as a sixth season episode of "Star Trek: The Next Generation."

A veteran of World War II, the Canadian-born Doohan saw combat and was wounded during the D-Day invasion of Normandy. He already had a vast trove of TV and radio work under his belt when he boarded the Enterprise, and was quite adept at voiceover work — he often voiced aliens, computers and other non-humanoids on "Star Trek: The Original Series," and performed multiple roles on the animated series. While work outside of "Star Trek" dried up in his later years, he remained enormously popular at "Star Trek" conventions until 2004, when Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease forced him out of the spotlight. He beamed up for good on July 20, 2005, and some of his ashes made it into space in 2008 and 2012.

Jane Wyatt (Amanda Grayson)

While Jane Wyatt had a long and distinguished career in film and TV that stretched from 1934 to 1992, she is probably best remembered for two roles: as homemaker Margaret Anderson for six seasons and some 200-plus episodes of the sitcom "Father Knows Best" (1954-1960) and as Amanda Grayson, the human mother of the Enterprise's First Officer, Mr. Spock.

She first played Amanda on the Season 2 episode "Journey to Babel," one of the best episodes of the original series , which movingly explored the back story of Spock and his strained relationship with his father Sarek (Mark Lenard). Wyatt reprised the role in 1986's "Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home." She won three Emmys for "Father Knows Best" and worked consistently for the rest of her life, even scoring a recurring role on "St. Elsewhere" from 1985 to 1987. With us until the age of 96, Wyatt passed away on October 20, 2006, in Bel-Air, California.

Lee Bergere (Abraham Lincoln)

Lee Bergere's one appearance on "Star Trek: The Original Series" was a memorable one: In the Season 3 episode "The Savage Curtain," he played President Abraham Lincoln — or rather, a simulacrum of Lincoln created by the aliens known as the Excalbians to fight alongside Kirk, Spock and a similar recreation of the Vulcan philosopher Surak in a contest staged to explore the nature of good vs. evil.

While the episode is considered among the silliest in the "Trek" canon, Bergere did bring a certain dignity and gravitas to the role. As with many "Trek" guests, the Brooklyn-born Bergere was the very definition of a working character actor, with more than 150 TV credits. He appeared regularly as head servant Joseph Anders on the first three seasons of "Dynasty" (1981-1983), and showed up in the 1975 ABC series "The Hot l Baltimore" as one half of a middle-aged gay couple — at the time a groundbreaking scenario for network TV. Bergere died at the age of 88 on January 31, 2007, in Fremont, New Hampshire from undisclosed causes.

Majel Barrett Roddenberry (Number One, Nurse Chapel, Lwaxana Troi)

Known as "The First Lady of 'Star Trek,'" Majel Barrett Roddenberry's long personal and professional history with the franchise is almost too extensive to go into here. But we'll try: The aspiring actor met then-married "Trek" creator Gene Roddenberry in 1961, and at some point, the pair began an affair. Roddenberry cast Barrett as Number One in the first "Trek" pilot, "The Cage," but was asked to remove the character for the second pilot and subsequent series. Nevertheless, Roddenberry snuck her back onto the series in the role of Nurse Christine Chapel — a move that (according to the book "Inside Star Trek: The Real Story") almost got the both of them fired by Desilu Studios head Lucille Ball, who had backed "Trek."

Roddenberry and Barrett stuck around, however, and Barrett — who married Roddenberry in 1969 — played Chapel in 25 original series episodes, as well as "The Animated Series" and two of the feature films. She later played Lwaxana Troi, mother of ship's counselor Deanna Troi, on multiple episodes of "The Next Generation" and "Deep Space Nine." She also provided the voice of the ship's computer on "The Original Series," "The Animated Series," "The Next Generation," "Deep Space 9," "Voyager" and "Enterprise," as well as for the 2009 reboot film, "Star Trek," for which she completed her work shortly before her death. A regular on the convention circuit, she was devoted to Roddenberry — who died in 1991 — and "Trek" until she died of leukemia on December 18, 2008, at the age of 76.

Ricardo Montalban (Khan Noonien Singh)

Khan Noonien Singh is generally considered  one of the greatest "Star Trek" villains — if not the greatest — in the series' long history. One of a group of genetically enhanced humans who tried to conquer Earth in the late 20th century, he and his followers put themselves in suspended animation aboard an interstellar vessel and slept for centuries, waking up and trying to take over the Enterprise in the classic episode "Space Seed."

Khan returned 15 years later in "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan," out for revenge against Captain Kirk for the death of Khan's wife. Khan was played both times by the Mexican actor Ricardo Montalban, who would also star as Mr. Roarke on the hit 1970s TV series "Fantasy Island" and also play the key role of circus owner Armando in two of the "Planet of the Apes" movies from earlier that decade. A star in Mexico since the 1940s, he kept working right into his 80s, landing late roles in the "Spy Kids" series. Montalban also co-founded the Nosotros Foundation to advocate for the better portrayal of Latinos in the entertainment industry. He died at age 88 from heart failure on January 14, 2009.

William Campbell (Trelane, Captain Koloth)

Born in Newark, New Jersey, veteran actor William Campbell had the distinction of playing two of the best-known villains on the original "Trek" series. First up in Season 1 was Trelane, the super-powered being known as "The Squire of Gothos" who turns out to be a spoiled child using the Enterprise and its crew as literal playthings. In Season 2, he played Captain Koloth, the slippery Klingon commander who clashes with Kirk in "The Trouble with Tribbles" — a role he reprised for the "Blood Oath" episode of "Deep Space Nine."

Among Campbell's other credits were the 1954 disaster movie "The High and the Mighty," 1956's "Love Me Tender," which was Elvis Presley's screen debut, 1963's "Dementia 13," which was Francis Ford Coppola's first directorial effort, and the 1964 psychological thriller "Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte," with Bette Davis and Olivia De Havilland. He passed away on April 28, 2011, aged 87, from an undisclosed illness.

William Windom (Commodore Matt Decker)

Veteran actor William Windom had the opportunity to appear in three of sci-fi's greatest screen franchises during his almost 60 years in the business: He starred in the classic "Twilight Zone" episode "Five Characters in Search of an Exit" in 1961, played the President of the United States in 1971's  "Escape from the Planet of the Apes," and guest-starred as the obsessed Commodore Matt Decker in the Season 2 "The Original Series" episode "The Doomsday Machine."

In this widely acclaimed favorite among fans, Decker's own vessel is wrecked and his entire crew killed by a giant alien robot that smashes planets to pieces, so he hijacks command of the Enterprise in a quixotic attempt to destroy the automaton before it ventures into the rest of the galaxy.

In addition to his top-shelf sci-fi credits, the gruff-voiced Windom made his film debut in 1962 in "To Kill a Mockingbird," and guested on just about every major network TV series around between the 1950s and early 2000s, including a longtime recurring role on "Murder, She Wrote." Congestive heart failure took his life at the age of 88 on August 16, 2012.

Michael Ansara (Commander Kang)

Of Syrian descent, actor Michael Ansara was often cast as Native American, Latino, and Middle Eastern characters in a long variety of films and TV shows. Before playing the brutal yet reasonable Commander Kang on the Season 3 "The Original Series" adventure "Day of the Dove," he was best known for playing the legendary Native American Cochise on the TV series "Broken Arrow." Fans will also remember him as King Kamehameha in a segment of "I Dream of Jeannie" opposite Barbara Eden, to whom he was also married for 16 years, a killer from the future in the 1964 "Outer Limits" episode "Soldier," and as the voice of Mr. Freeze on  "Batman: The Animated Series."

Along with fellow "The Original Series" Klingons John Colicos and William Campbell, he got to reprise the role of Kang on the "Deep Space Nine" episode "Blood Oath" and essayed the role again in the "Voyager" segment "Flashback." Ansara died on July 31, 2013, at the age of 91, after suffering from Alzheimer's disease.

Leonard Nimoy (Mr. Spock)

What can be said about the great Leonard Nimoy and his truly iconic portrayal of Vulcan science officer Mr. Spock that hasn't already been said? Cast by Gene Roddenberry in the role for the very first "Trek" pilot, "The Cage,"  Nimoy's Spock was the only character that survived a complete cast overhaul for the show's second pilot and the series — even though the network (NBC) was against his inclusion. The cool, logical, half-human (and Emmy-nominated) Spock became the show's most popular character and remains a bracing combination of rationality, intellect, compassion, and loyalty.

Nimoy's place in pop culture history had long been secured when he passed away at age 83 on February 27, 2015, from COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). In addition to his extensive acting and directing credits — which included two of the "Star Trek" feature films — Nimoy was a longtime advocate for the arts, a devotee to science, and an activist for Jewish causes. And how many legendary actors can say they've had an asteroid named after them?

Grace Lee Whitney (Yeoman Janice Rand)

Grace Lee Whitney appeared as Yeoman Janice Rand in just eight episodes of "Star Trek: The Original Series," but she is nevertheless an enduring character and image from the show's early days. Halfway through the first season, despite heavy promotion as a cast member, Whitney was released from her contract. Reasons given for her exit include budget cuts and a desire on the network's part to let Kirk pursue women on the show without having Rand around — although she later alleged that a sexual assault by an unnamed studio exec may have contributed as well.

Whitney did return for brief appearances in four of the "Star Trek" feature films and remained popular on the "Trek" convention circuit. She had a long screen and singing career before "Trek" and continued to work afterward, although she dedicated much of her later years, as a survivor of substance and alcohol abuse, to helping others with their recovery. She died on May 1, 2015, at the age of 85 from natural causes.

If you or anyone you know is struggling with addiction issues, help is available. Visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website or contact SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

Yvonne Craig (Marta)

Actor and dancer Yvonne Craig was just the second green-skinned woman to appear on "Star Trek: The Original Series," after Susan Oliver in "The Cage," but her turn as Orion asylum inmate Marta in the Season 3 episode "Whom Gods Destroy" was a memorable one. Unlike Oliver, Craig was trained as a dancer and used those skills to remarkable effect in the episode, one of the show's campiest.

Although her long film and TV career began in 1957, Craig of course rocketed to fame a decade later when she was cast as  Barbara Gordon/Batgirl on the third season of the ABC-TV series "Batman." According to  Huffington Post , Craig said she did all her own stunts for the show, and her combination of "ass-kicking" crime fighter and brainy librarian made her a "pioneer of female superheroes" on television. She died of breast cancer at age 78 on August 17, 2015.

Anton Yelchin (Ensign Pavel Chekov)

His too-brief career only hinted at his talent and potential, but during his 27 years on Earth, Russian-born Anton Yelchin still managed to make an impact on audiences around the world. Yelchin was cast as Ensign Pavel Chekov in J.J. Abrams' 2009 reboot of "Star Trek," also playing the role in 2013's "Star Trek Into Darkness" and 2016's "Star Trek Beyond" (the latter released after his death). Franchise producers announced that the role would not be recast after Yelchin's death in a freak accident on June 19, 2016.

Before finding mainstream fame with "Trek," Yelchin first made an impression in 2002 in the TV series "Taken" and went on to star in films such as "Alpha Dog," "Terminator Salvation," "Like Crazy," "Fright Night," and "Green Room." He also voiced Clumsy Smurf in three "Smurfs" movies and provided the voice of Jim Lake Jr. in the animated series "Trollhunters: Tales of Arcadia." A documentary about his life, "Love, Antosha," premiered at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival.

Robert Walker Jr. (Charlie Evans)

Born in Queens, New York to actors Robert Walker and Jennifer Jones, Robert Walker Jr. made his mark in spectacular fashion on "Star Trek" as Charles Evans, the teenage boy at the center of "Charlie X." The second "The Original Series" episode ever aired focused on Charlie's inability to integrate back with other humans after living for 14 years on a planet by himself. The incorporeal aliens on the planet, the Thasians, gave Charlie vast powers so that he could survive — powers he was too immature to use among his own kind.

Although Walker continued to work sporadically through the '70s, '80s and '90s, his greatest success came in the 1950s and '60s. In addition to "Charlie X" — considered one of the best "Trek" episodes of all time — he appeared in the 1969 counter-culture classic "Easy Rider," alongside John Wayne and Kirk Douglas in 1967's "The War Wagon," and in TV shows such as "Bonanza," "Columbo," "Quincy, M.E.," and "L.A. Law." He died on December 5, 2019, at age 79 from undisclosed causes.

René Auberjonois (Odo)

Born in New York City of Swiss and French descent, René Auberjonois began his career in the theater and landed three Broadway plays during the 1968-1969 season, earning a Tony Award for his work in the third, "Coco." More theater work followed, while his first big film breakthrough was as Father Mulcahy in Robert Altman's 1970 film "M*A*S*H." Auberjonois appeared in several more Altman films, along with movies like "The Hindenburg," the 1976 remake of "King Kong," 1980's "Where the Buffalo Roam," and 1995's "Batman Forever."

He had a brief role in 1991's "Star Trek: The Undiscovered Country," but his lasting contribution to the franchise was on  "Deep Space Nine," where he played the title station's shapeshifting head of security, Odo. The conflicted character — who helped the Federation battle his own race, the Founders — was a fan favorite. Auberjonois died of lung cancer at age 79 on December 8, 2019.

Brock Peters (Admiral Cartwright)

By the 1980s, "Star Trek" already had a long history of high-caliber guest stars, including Jane Wyatt, Joan Collins, and Ricardo Montalban. For "Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home" they added Brock Peters, star of the Academy Award-winning 1962 classic, "To Kill a Mockingbird." In the film, he starred as Admiral Cartwright, and he returned for "Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country" where it was revealed that he had betrayed the Federation and allied with a group of dissident Klingons to sabotage peace talks. 

Peters would be cast a second time in the franchise in 1996, in a very different role. That year he joined the spin-off series,  "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine," as Joseph Sisko, father to Captain Benjamin Sisko. He'd play the role in six episodes, including the acclaimed installment, "Far Beyond the Stars." 

Outside of "Trek," Peters also starred in a number of famous films, including "Soylent Green" and "Porgy and Bess," which was adapted from the musical he'd also starred in on Broadway years earlier. Sci-fi fans may also recognize him as the voice of Darth Vader in the "Star Wars" radio dramas where he stood in for the inimitable James Earl Jones. Peters died after a battle with pancreatic cancer in 2005 at the age of 78.

Cecily Adams (Ishka)

In the 1995 "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" episode, "Family Business," renowned comedian Andrea Martin was cast to play the Ferengi bartender Quark's mother, Ishka. But once the series decided to make her something of a recurring character, veteran character actor Cecily Adams was brought in to fill the role in four additional episodes of the series. Despite playing the mother of regulars Quark and Rom, Adams was actually younger than the actors who played them, leaving it to the series' impressive makeup effects to make her appear as an elderly alien.

The daughter of "Get Smart" star Don Adams, Cecily wasn't as much of an actor as her father, making only brief on-screen appearances in small roles in shows like "Party of Five," "Just Shoot Me!," and "Home Improvement." For most of her career, Adams was actually a casting director, and worked on classics like "That '70s Show" and "Third Rock from the Sun." Sadly, in 2004, Adams passed away from lung cancer at the young age of just 46.

Ray Walston (Boothby)

In a key episode of "Star Trek: The Next Generation" that sees the Enterprise return to Earth, producers needed a veteran actor to play an enigmatic character known as Boothby, who had been mentioned before by Picard as a wise and sagely groundskeeper at Starfleet Academy. They turned to Hollywood legend Ray Walston, who would join the cast of the hit series, "Picket Fences," later that same year.

Walston had a long and varied career, but might be best known for his iconic role as the titular alien in the 1963 series, "My Favorite Martian," or perhaps as Mr. Hand in "Fast Times at Ridgemont High." With a list of credits too long to rattle off every classic series he popped up in, it's enough to say that he was a mainstay on screens big and small across many decades. He'd even return to the role of Boothby (sort of) when he guest starred in two episodes of "Star Trek: Voyager," once as an alien posing as the Starfleet gardener, and a second time in an elaborate dream sequence. He continued acting right up until his death in 2001 at the age of 86.

Robert Lansing (Gary Seven)

Television audiences of the 1960s knew Robert Lansing well, as he could be seen all over the dial on some of the biggest TV shows of the day. He made appearances in episodes of "Wagon Train," "The Twilight Zone," and "Gunsmoke" among countless others, but that was hardly the end of his illustrious television career. Into the 1980s he played Control, the mysterious supervisor of Robert McCall in the hit action series, "The Equalizer," and Lt. Jack Curtis in the short-lived sci-fi adventure show, "Automan."

During his heyday, Lansing was brought in to play Gary Seven in the classic "Star Trek" episode, "Assignment: Earth." The original idea was for the episode to serve as a backdoor pilot for Lansing and fellow guest star Terri Garr, who would potentially star in a spin-off series centered around Seven — a human visitor from another world who watched over the affairs of mankind in the 20th century. Though it never came to fruition, the role of Gary Seven has become a fan favorite over the years. Lansing passed away in 1994, and his legacy lives on as the story of Gary Seven's people and their mission was continued in Season 2 of "Star Trek: Picard" in 2021. 

Kevin Conway (Kahless)

In "Star Trek" lore, there are few mythological figures that conjure up as much mystique and reverence as the great Klingon warrior known as Kahless. First mentioned in an episode of the original "Star Trek," he is said to be the founder of the Klingon Empire. In "Star Trek: The Next Generation" his legend grew and was said to be the greatest warrior in Klingon history, an almost Christ-like figure who united his people and who was prophesied to return one day to lead his people to new glory. When he did, resurrected by genetic engineering in the episode "Rightful Heir," he was played by Kevin Conway.

But playing Kahless wasn't Conway's only contribution to science fiction. Fans know Conway's voice well in fact, as he provided the intro and outro narration for the 1995 reboot of "The Outer Limits." He also had a lengthy career on the big screen, mostly playing supporting roles in movies like "Slaughterhouse-Five," "Jennifer 8," and "The Quick and the Dead." He had countless credits on TV, and in the late 2000s he joined "The Good Wife" in a recurring role as Jonas Stern, his final on-screen role. He died in 2020. 

Paul Sorvino (Nicolai)

When "Star Trek: The Next Generation" launched in 1987, the franchise was already a global icon, and stars big and small lined up with offers for guest spots on the series, with the likes of Mick Fleetwood, Stephen Hawking, and Whoopi Goldberg all asking to appear and getting their wish. In Season 7 of the series, another star got the chance to play "Trek," with Paul Sorvino joining the 1994 episode, "Homeward," as Worf's human brother, Nikolai.

In that episode, Nikolai breaks the Prime Directive to help save a village of a primitive civilization whose planet is dying, eventually leaving his life in the 24th century to join them at the story's conclusion. Sorvino was already a legend by 1993 when the episode aired, famous for his role as Paul Cicero in "Goodfellas," and later as Sgt. Cerreta for a season in "Law & Order" early in its run.

He often found himself starring as a father figure, including in Baz Luhrmann's "Romeo + Juliet" as Juliet's father, and as Bruce Willis' dad in "Moonlighting." In real life, he is the father to Academy Award-winning actress Mira Sorvino. In July 2022, Sorvino passed away at the age of 83, leaving behind many well-loved film and television roles for his fans to remember him by.

Sally Kellerman (Elizabeth Dehner)

With a career that touched parts of seven decades, members of every generation would recognize Sally Kellerman from one role or another. Many might know her best for originating the role of "Hot Lips" Houlihan in the feature film version of "MASH," while '80s kids no doubt recognize her as the ghost of adult film star Roxy Dujour from "Meatballs III: Summer Job." Even in later years, Kellerman was still active, appearing in episodes of "The Young and the Restless,"  "Workaholics," and "Law & Order: LA" in the 2010s.

But before all of those roles, Kellerman appeared in one of the most famous episodes of "Star Trek" from 1966, "Where No Man Has Gone Before." Notable for being the second pilot of the series and the first episode filmed with William Shatner as Captain Kirk, it was the third episode aired overall. In the story, Kellerman plays Enterprise officer Dr. Elizabeth Dehner, who, along with helmsman Gary Mitchell, achieves godlike powers. Long after her appearance, Kellerman continued making appearances at "Star Trek" conventions up until her death in February 2022.

Richard Herd (Admiral Paris)

Actor Richard Herd had a number of roles in iconic sci-fi franchises. He played the Visitors' Supreme Commander in the cult classic, "V," in 1983 and its follow-up, "V: The Final Battle." He also turned up in recurring roles in "SeaQuest DSV," as well as a pair of episodes of "Quantum Leap." Trekkies will no doubt remember him as Admiral Paris, the father of "Star Trek: Voyager" helmsman Tom Paris, who becomes a presence in the later seasons of the show as the ship got closer to home. 

But playing Admiral Owen Paris wasn't Herd's only role in "Star Trek." In the "Next Generation" episode, "Birthright," he also portrayed the elder L'Kor, leader of a group of Klingons who had been taken captive by Romulans and made a home on a remote colony in peace with their former adversaries. But outside of "Trek," audiences probably remember him best from "Seinfeld" as Mr. Wilhem, George Costanza's boss when he was Assistant to the General Manager of the New York Yankees. After a long and successful career, Herd died from complications from cancer at the age of 87 in 2020.

W. Morgan Sheppard

British actor W. Morgan Sheppard played four major characters across multiple shows and films in the "Star Trek" franchise. But he also has a rare distinction of playing different characters in both the original "Star Trek" timeline and the J.J. Abrams reboot. His first role came in 1988 when he played Federation scientist Ira Graves in the "The Next Generation" episode, "The Schizoid Man," where he steals the android Data's body to extend his lifespan. He then moved over to the films, playing the Klingon commandant at the Rura Penthe penal colony in "Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country." Sheppard returned in "Star Trek: Voyager" as the alien Qatai in the episode, "Bliss."

In 2009, Sheppard came back to "Trek" once more to portray a Vulcan administrator who berates a young Mr. Spock, played by Zachary Quinto. Sci-fi fans will also remember his role in "Doctor Who," where in the episode, "The Impossible Astronaut," he plays an older version of Canton Delaware III, with his younger self played by Morgan's real-life son, Mark Sheppard. It was Mark who announced the passing of his father in 2019 at the age of 86 in a moving dedication on Instagram .

Arlene Martel (T'Pring)

Because Spock had been introduced as the logical Vulcan incapable of emotion, fans were as surprised as the rest of the crew to be introduced to his betrothed, a Vulcan named T'Pring in the now iconic episode, "Amok Time." Known for its famous fight music, the episode pit Spock and Kirk against each other in a death match arranged by T'Pring, played by actress Arlene Martel.

Before "Star Trek," Martel had appeared in a pair of episodes of "The Twilight Zone," including the spooky "Twenty Two." She was also known for small parts in "I Dream of Jeannie" and "The Man from U.N.C.L.E." She continued acting on television through the '80s, but was largely retired by the 2000s. The role of T'Pring has since been recast for 2022's "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds" — where she is played by Gia Sandhu — but Martel has been immortalized in television history for being the first in the role. In 2014, she suffered a heart attack that would lead to her death shortly thereafter at the age of 78.

Mitchell Ryan (Kyle Riker)

When "Star Trek: The Next Generation" was first being assembled, the role of Captain Jean-Luc Picard was one of the toughest to fill, with a number of contenders vying for the role. Before Patrick Stewart nabbed the part, Mitchell Ryan was an early favorite, according to StarTrek.com . But like Billy Campbell — who lost out on the role of Commander Riker but was cast in a guest starring role — Ryan wound up on the show in the episode, "The Icarus Factor." That Season 2 episode sees Ryan come aboard the Enterprise playing the part of Riker's father Kyle.

Shortly before he played Kyle Riker, Ryan starred in "Lethal Weapon" as the film's main villain, General Peter McAllister. Some 20 years earlier though he'd made a name for himself by starring as Burke Devlin in "Dark Shadows." Audiences today might remember him best from his starring role in the popular '90s sitcom, "Dharma and Greg," where he played Greg's father, Edward. In March 2022, Ryan died of congenital heart failure at the age of 88.

Ben Cross (Sarek)

Ben Cross had a distinguished big-screen career that began with a role in the 1977 war film, "A Bridge Too Far," and continued through 1981's "Chariots of Fire" and saw him join the "Star Trek" franchise in 2009's "Star Trek" reboot. In that movie, Cross starred as Sarek, the father of the Enterprise's Mr. Spock, now played by Zachary Quinto, a role originated by Mark Lenard. 

On the small screen, Cross had already once taken over another iconic role. In the 1991 remake of "Dark Shadows," Cross played vampire Barnabas Collins, a role that later went to Johnny Depp for the 2012 film of the same name. Later roles for Cross included starring as the criminal kingpin known as Rabbit in the Cinemax series, "Banshee," and a two-episode stint on the TV adaptation of "12 Monkeys." In 2020, Cross passed away suddenly after a brief illness, according to the  BBC .

Camille Saviola (Kai Opaka)

On its debut in 1993, "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" was more than just the second spin-off of the hit sci-fi franchise. It was also markedly different from its predecessors, with a decidedly religious angle to its story, something that "Star Trek" had almost entirely shied away from to that point. Embodying this religious element were the Bajorans, whose spiritual leader was Kai Opaka, played by Camille Saviola.

A veteran of stage and screen, Saviola's filmography is littered with roles in some of TV's biggest hits, including episodes of "L.A. Law," "NYPD Blue," and "Friends" in the 1990s, and "ER," "Judging Amy," "and "Entourage" in the 2000s. Yet while she only appeared in four episodes of "Deep Space Nine," Saviola would be best remembered for her recurring role as Kai Opaka. As the spiritual leader, she was pivotal early in the series, helping guide Commander Ben Sisko into his role as the Bajoran Emissary to the Prophets. 25 years after her final appearance as Opaka, Saviola died of heart failure in 2021, aged 71.

Christopher Plummer (Chang)

"Star Trek" has long been known for its impressive villains, particularly on the big screen, where the likes of Ricardo Montalbán and Christopher Lloyd used their considerable talents to menace Captain Kirk in early films in the series. To this day however, even adding in Tom Hardy from "Nemesis" and F. Murray Abraham from "Insurrection," actor Christopher Plummer could make a real claim to the top spot for his role as Klingon Commander Chang in "Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country."

Starting out in the 1950s, Plummer made his name with the role of Captain Georg von Trapp in "The Sound of Music." But as his career progressed he seemed to only get better, with roles in "Malcolm X" and "12 Monkeys" in the 1990s, and "A Beautiful Mind" and "Syriana" in the 2000s. But more than just for his role as Chang, Trekkies owe him another debt: William Shatner famously got his start as an understudy for Plummer during a 1956 stage production of Henry V, which led to his big break when Plummer became ill and Shatner got to fill in (per  THR ). 

After a career that spanned more than 60 years, and included three Academy Award nominations (and one win), Plummer died in 2020 at the age of 91 after suffering a fall. He is  survived by his daughter Amanda, who has followed in her father's footsteps to play the villainous Vadic in Season 3 of "Star Trek: Picard."

David Warner (Gorkon)

"Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country" may have had one of the finest supporting casts of any film in the series. In addition to Christopher Plummer as the film's primary antagonist General Chang and Brock Peters returning in the role of Admiral Cartwright, it also included Kim Cattrall, Kurtwood Smith, Iman, and of course film veteran and British icon, David Warner. In the film, Warner stars as Klingon Chancellor Gorkon, whose murder kicks off the film's riveting story, but it's actually not the first role he played in the franchise, nor would it be the last.

A few years earlier, Warner played St. John Talbot in the forgettable "Star Trek V: The Final Frontier." More memorably however he returned in "Star Trek: The Next Generation" in the classic two-parter, "Chain of Command," where he played a brutal Cardassian interrogator who tortures Captain Picard.

Beyond "Star Trek," Warner was famous for roles in "Titanic" and "The Omen," and had key roles in cult classics like "Time Bandits" and "Tron," while also voicing Ra's al Ghul in "Batman the Animated Series." An Emmy Award-winner for his role in the 1981 miniseries, "Masada," alongside Peter O'Toole, Warner died in July of 2022 from a cancer-related illness. He was 80.

Louise Fletcher (Kai Winn)

"Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" was home to some of the franchise's best villains on the small screen, from the insidious Cardassian leader Gul Dukat to the slippery Vorta named Weyoun. One of the most unexpected however was Kai Winn, who took the role of Bajor's spiritual leader after the death of Opaka in Season 2 of the series. She quickly became a political rival for Captain Sisko, and her scheming machinations and hunger for power made her a threat to peace. Playing her was Louise Fletcher, one of the most highly respected Hollywood actors ever to earn a recurring role in the franchise.

In 1975, Fletcher starred as the similarly sinister Nurse Ratched opposite Jack Nicholson in "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," a role that earned her an Academy Award. Years later, around the same time she was clashing with Starfleet in "Deep Space Nine," she was nominated for an Emmy for her role as Christine Bey in "Picket Fences." After a career that lasted nearly 60 years, Fletcher died peacefully at her home in September 2022 at the age of 88.

Kirstie Alley (Saavik)

Kirstie Alley is no doubt best known for her role as Rebecca Howe, her star-making role in the NBC sitcom, "Cheers," after the departure of the original star, Shelley Long. She followed that up with her own series, "Veronica's Closet" in 1997, and led several other short-lived shows of her own. But years before her television fame, Alley played the iconic role of the Vulcan Lt. Saavik in "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan." In the film, she's the protege of Mr. Spock and is notable for being — along with star Leonard Nimoy — the first character to ever speak the Vulcan language on screen.

Unfortunately, when the time came for a sequel, Alley turned down an offer to return and was replaced in the role by Robin Curtis. Nearly a decade later, when her "Cheers" co-star Kelsey Grammer guest starred in an episode of "The Next Generation," it had originally been planned for Alley to reprise the role as his first officer, but scheduling conflicts quashed her appearance (per  StarTrek.com ). Still, Alley's mark on the franchise is a big one, and the "Trek" community saw a major loss when she passed away at 71 from colon cancer in December 2022.

Annie Wersching (Borg Queen)

In Season 2 of "Star Trek: Picard," the former Enterprise captain finds himself squaring off with an old foe, the Borg Queen, who we first meet in "Star Trek: First Contact." Of course, it's not quite the same Borg Queen, and instead of original actress Alice Krige, it is Annie Wersching under the Borg makeup this time around. A veteran actress, Wersching was already a "Star Trek" alum, having played a guest starring role in an episode of "Star Trek: Enterprise" all the way back in 2002 in her very first acting role.

From there, Wersching appeared all over television, with roles in "Charmed," "Boston Legal," and "Supernatural," before landing a recurring role in "24" in 2009. She was the voice of Tess in the wildly popular video game, "The Last of Us," while fans of "The Vampire Diaries" will remember her from her role as Lily. She appeared to be on the ascent in later years, securing regular roles in the Marvel series, "Runaways," and "Bosch." Sadly, at just 45, Wersching lost a battle with cancer in early 2023, leaving her two roles in "Star Trek" as both the first and final on-screen appearances of her career.

Nichelle Nichols (Lt. Nyota Uhura)

When the original "Star Trek" debuted in 1966, it boasted a Black woman on the bridge in a rare display of racial diversity on prime-time television. Nichelle Nichols, in one of her very first on-screen roles, played communications officer Uhura — one of the first Black characters in a leading TV role — and quickly became a trailblazing icon for both women's rights and racial equality. She's also credited as half of the first interracial kiss on television, shared with series star William Shatner.

Before "Trek," Nichols played a role in an episode of "The Lieutenant" penned by Gene Roddenberry all about racial intolerance. But the episode proved too controversial for TV and never aired, making her role as Uhura her first credited role on television. Nichols, who helped inspire scores of young women, famously quit "Star Trek," only to be coaxed back into the series by Martin Luther King, Jr., in an incident that helped shape the rest of her life. 

Thanks to her role in the series, Nichols was the face of women in science and even became a recruiter for NASA in the 1970s. And while Nichols never did win any major awards for her performance as Uhura, she was nominated for a Daytime Emmy in 2017 for a four-episode run on "The Young and the Restless" and received a lifetime achievement award from the Academy of Science Fiction, Horror & Fantasy Films. In 2022, Nichols died at the age of 89, leaving behind a legacy of grace and strength for future generations of fans to aspire to. 

Gary Graham (Ambassador Soval)

When "Star Trek: Enterprise" debuted in 2001, its principal cast was joined by Gary Graham, who played the Vulcan Ambassador Soval. Early on in the series, Soval is something of an antagonist to Captain Archer (Scott Bakula), as the stoic Vulcan doesn't believe that humans are yet ready to launch the NX-01 Enterprise and join the larger interstellar community. Like series star Bakula, Graham was already well-known to sci-fi audiences for another iconic TV show — in his case, the 1989 cult series "Alien Nation."

Graham, whose career kicked off in the late 1970s, took over the James Caan role from the film version of "Nation," playing Earth cop Matthew Sikes. He starred in the show's only season but returned for five subsequent made-for-TV movies in the 1990s. It was the only time he led his own show, but it certainly wasn't his only sci-fi classic, the other being the dystopian B-movie classic "Robot Jox." In addition to playing Soval in "Enterprise," Graham also had a recurring role on "JAG." Of course, Soval wasn't even his first role in "Star Trek" — in 1995 he guest-starred in the "Star Trek: Voyager" episode "Cold Fire."

A decade after "Enterprise" ended, Graham reprised his role as Soval in the fan film, "Star Trek: Prelude to Axanar." He'd planned to return for a full-length feature version, but the project became the target of a multi-million-dollar lawsuit on copyright infringement grounds and Graham left the production in 2020. He passed away on January 22, 2024, survived by his wife Becky and daughter Haylee.

Barry Jenner (Admiral Ross)

"Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" was known for its stellar recurring cast, and in Season 6 the series added actor Barry Jenner as Admiral William Ross. Nearly a main cast member, Jenner appeared in 12 episodes in the show's final two seasons, playing Captain Sisko's no-nonsense Starfleet boss. He was also the rare Starfleet admiral who didn't turn out to be evil, even joining the crew's victory in the series finale.

While Jenner never did have much of a career in film, he found plenty of success on television. He got his start in the 1970s and went on to secure guest spots on hits like "Remington Steele," "Highway to Heaven," and "Simon & Simon" as well as a recurring role on "Days of Our Lives" before landing the role of Dr. Jerry Kenderson on "Dallas" midway through its run. From there, Jenner secured single-episode guest spots in everything from "Family Ties" to "Mr. Belvedere," on top of multi-episode appearances on the likes of "Falcon Crest" and "Matlock." He even guested in an episode of "Saved by the Bell" when it was still called "Good Morning, Miss Bliss."

Outside of "Trek," Jenner's biggest role in the 1990s was as Lt. Murtaugh in "Family Matters," appearing in 18 episodes before he landed a regular role on the short-lived "Something So Right" in 1996. His role as Admiral Ross was one of his final on-screen appearances, and shortly thereafter he all but retired from acting. He died in 2016 from leukemia. He was 75.

Paul Winfield (Captain Terrell, Dathon)

Paul Winfield has appeared in several iconic science fiction classics, from his role as Lt. Traxler in "The Terminator" to Gen. Casey in Tim Burton's "Mars Attacks!" But before them all, he co-starred in perhaps the best "Star Trek" film of them all, 1982's "The Wrath of Khan." There he played Captain Terrell of the starship Reliant, who vaporizes himself after he is mind-controlled by an alien space insect. But one might argue his biggest role in the franchise was still to come.

In 1991, Winfield returned to "Trek," but this time on the small screen, sharing the stage with Patrick Stewart in "Star Trek: The Next Generation" in the episode "Darmok" as another captain, this time an alien named Dathon. One of the series' most famous installments, "Darmok" continues to be ranked among the best episodes of "The Next Generation" even today, with Winfield's performance as Captain Dathon being one of the main reasons why.

Winfield, though, was already a star when he joined "Star Trek," having earned an Academy Award nomination for his leading role in "Sounder" in 1972. He'd receive similar accolades and an Emmy nomination for his role as Martin Luther King Jr. in the TV miniseries "King" six years later and for his role in "Roots: The Next Generations" in 1979. He'd finally take home an Emmy in 1995 for a guest role in "Picket Fences." His biggest roles on the small screen include recurring parts in "The Charmings," "227," and "Built to Last." His final on-screen performance was in "Touched by an Angel," where he played the archangel Sam. In 2004, Winfield died of a heart attack at the age of 62. 

Miguel Ferrer (Excelsior executive officer)

For those unfamiliar with "Star Trek" it may come as something of a surprise to learn that Miguel Ferrer had a role in the franchise. After all, Ferrer is much more famous among sci-fi fans for his role in "RoboCop" (alongside future "Trek" stars Ronny Cox, Ray Wise, and Peter Weller), not to mention countless bigger roles. But in "Star Trek III: The Search for Spock," Ferrer was an instant fan-favorite as the smarmy helmsman of the USS Excelsior.

One of the best character actors in Hollywood in the 1980s and '90s, Ferrer rarely had the leading role but never failed to be memorable. He got his first acting gig in an episode of "Magnum, P.I.," and following "The Search for Spock" he appeared in episodes of "Hill Street Blues" and "Trapper John, M.D.," and even re-teamed with William Shatner for an episode of "TJ Hooker." Genre fans will almost certainly recognize Ferrer as FBI Agent Rosenfeld in David Lynch's "Twin Peaks" in 1990 — a role he returned to nearly 30 years later for the show's belated third season. 

Some of Ferrer's biggest roles, though, came late in his career. In 2001, he joined the main cast of "Crossing Jordan," and he appeared in all of the show's 117 episodes. Not long after, Ferrer starred in the 2007 reboot of "The Bionic Woman" before joining the main cast of "NCIS: Los Angeles" in 2012. He'd stick with the "NCIS" spin-off until his passing in 2017. He died of throat cancer at 61.

Larry Drake (Chellick)

"Star Trek" has long been known for its high-profile guest stars, and the franchise received another in 2000 in an episode of "Star Trek: Voyager." The seventh season installment "Critical Care" features Larry Drake as Chellick, the unfeeling administrator of an alien hospital. There, health care is doled out based on status and the ship's holographic doctor (Robert Picardo) is forced into servitude when his program is stolen from Voyager. Horror fans might know Drake for a different doctor role, though, as he also played the titular psycho killer in "Doctor Giggles."

Perhaps more notably, Drake played the villainous Durant in Sam Raimi's "Darkman" (as well as its Raimi-less sequel), but even that wasn't his most famous role. That title belongs to Benny, the intellectually disabled clerk on "L.A. Law," whom he played for the show's entire run, bumped up from guest star to main cast member in the show's third season. He reprised that role in the 2002 reunion, "L.A. Law: The Movie."

In the late '90s, Drake also starred in "Prey," a sci-fi medical drama series starring Debra Messing, but by the 2000s he had begun doing voicework in animation and video games. He played Pops on the Cartoon Network classic "Johnny Bravo," and later voicework included roles in "Green Lantern: First Flight," "Justice League," and "Star Wars: The Force Unleashed." He died in 2016, around the same time that his final film, "The Secrets of Emily Blair," was released. He was 66.

John Hoyt (Dr. Boyce)

Every "Star Trek" needs a doctor, and while many will tell you that DeForest Kelley — aka "Bones" McCoy — was the franchise's first, that title actually belongs to actor John Hoyt. In the show's original unaired pilot, "The Cage," Hoyt starred as Dr. Boyce, the ship's resident physician and confidante of Captain Pike (Jeffrey Hunter). Though he only appeared in that single episode, it's a legendary one that gave Hoyt a special place in "Star Trek" lore as the franchise's first chief medical officer.

Hoyt was no stranger to science fiction when he played Boyce, having appeared in quite a few memorable titles, including "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea," "X: The Man with the X-Ray Eyes," and 1951's "When World's Collide." He had two episodes of "The Twilight Zone" already under his belt and afterward continued in the genre with appearances on the original "Battlestar Galactica," "The Time Tunnel," and the "Planet of the Apes" TV series. Though he rarely had recurring roles on TV, he did show up in seven episodes of "Hogan's Heroes" and five of "The Virginian," mostly in different roles each time.

Some of his most legendary projects were epics — he appeared in both "Spartacus" and "Cleopatra" — but his biggest role was also his last: From 1982 to 1987 he starred in "Gimme a Break" as Grandpa Kanisky, a role that brought him to the attention of an entirely new generation. In 1991, Hoyt died at the age of 86.

Booker Bradshaw (Dr. M'Benga)

Boyce and McCoy weren't the only doctors aboard the USS Enterprise on the original 1960s "Star Trek." Another was Dr. M'Benga, played by Booker Bradshaw in a pair of episodes, "A Private Little War" and "That Which Survives." The character gained renewed attention in 2021, however, when the character was revived for "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds," where M'Benga — played by Babs Olusanmokun — was the Enterprise's top doc.

Bradshaw wasn't primarily an actor during his life. When he was younger, Bradshaw was more of a musician, and even before he'd graduated Harvard had already appeared on "The Ted Mack Amateur Hour" as a folk singer, winning the TV musical competition three times. After moving to Detroit, Bradshaw went to work for Motown and was even a tour manager for acclaimed groups like The Supremes and The Temptations. 

On the screen, though, Bradshaw had an intermittent career in TV and film. In addition to his two "Trek" appearances, he acted in episodes of "The F.B.I.," "Mod Squad," and "The Girl from U.N.C.L.E." while also starring in films like "Coffy" alongside Pam Grier. Additionally, Bradshaw was a writer, penning episodes of the "Planet of the Apes" series, "Columbo," "The Jeffersons," and "The Rockford Files" in the 1970s and "Gimme a Break!" and "Diff'rent Strokes" in the '80s. He died in 2003 at the age of 61.

Fritz Weaver (Kovat)

Another guest actor in the franchise, Fritz Weaver is notable not just for his role in the 1994 "Deep Space Nine" episode "Tribunal," but for his extensive filmography that makes him one of the most prolific and varied guests the show has ever seen. In that installment, Weaver plays a Cardassian lawyer named Kovat who is brought in to "defend" Chief O'Brien (Colm Meaney) from trumped-up terrorism charges.

By the time that episode aired, though, Weaver was already one of TV's most unsung heroes. He'd made his mark as far back as the 1950s, and it's actually something of a surprise that he didn't appear in the original "Star Trek," considering his pedigree in the '60s: He starred in two episodes of the original "The Twilight Zone" series (in the episodes "The Obsolete Man" and "Third from the Sun") and appeared in episodes of "The Invaders," "Gunsmoke," "The Fugitive," and "The Man from U.N.C.L.E." And he never slowed down, either, continuing to appear in shows into the '90s and 2000s, including episodes of "The X-Files," "L.A. Law," and "Law & Order."

Weaver won a Tony Award for Robert Marasco's "Child's Play" in 1970, while also earning an Emmy nomination for his role in the TV miniseries "Holocaust," in which he played a Jewish man sent to die in Auschwitz during WWII. Weaver acted until his death in 2016. He was 90 years old.

Joseph Ruskin

Another stalwart character actor, Joseph Ruskin, made his first appearance in the franchise in the 1960s and played a total of six roles across four "Star Trek" series and one movie. In "The Gamemasters of Triskelion," Ruskin played the mysterious and powerful alien Galt. He'd return in a trio of "Deep Space Nine" episodes, playing the Klingon guardian Tumek in "The House of Quark" and "Looking for par'Mach in All the Wrong Places" and later playing a shadowy Cardassian spy in "Improbable Cause."

Not long after, Ruskin appeared as a Son'a officer in the 1998 film "Star Trek: Insurrection" and played Tuvok's Vulcan master in flashback sequences in the "Star Trek: Voyager" episode "Gravity." His final "Trek" role was as a Suliban doctor in the premiere episode of "Enterprise." He also lent his voice to a number of "Star Trek" video games.

Ruskin started his career with an uncredited appearance in an episode of "The Honeymooners" in 1955 and made memorable guest appearances in "The Twilight Zone," playing the scheming genie in "The Man in the Bottle" and was the disembodied voice of a Kanamit alien in the iconic installment "To Serve Man." Never without work, Ruskin has shown up in just about every TV show one could imagine, from "Mister Ed" to "Alias," with his final role coming in an episode of "Bones" in 2006. Ruskin, a longtime Screen Actors Guild board member, died at the age of 89 in 2013.

Kellie Waymire (Cutler)

"Star Trek" has a habit of reusing actors — when a guest star impresses, they bring them back for a bigger role, sometimes even in another series entirely. That was the case with Kellie Waymire, who appeared in the franchise first in the "Star Trek: Voyager" episode "Muse," from its final season, where she played a stage actor on an alien world that resembled ancient Rome or Greece. And just a year later after the launch of "Star Trek: Enterprise," Waymire was brought back in a recurring role as crewman Cutler, a young woman with a serious crush on Dr. Phlox (John Billingsley).

Prior to appearing on either "Star Trek" series, Waymire was mostly a sitcom guest actor, appearing in the "Seinfeld" episode "The Blood," and episodes of "Ally McBeal," "Stark Raving Mad," and "Snoops." She later had a notable role in the "Friends" episode "The One Where Ross Is Fine," playing a friend of Phoebe's named Colleen. Sadly, Waymire's career was cut short in 2003 when she suffered a fatal heart attack caused by an undiagnosed medical condition. She was just 36 years old.

Michael Dunn (Alexander)

Michael Dunn didn't have the longest career in Hollywood, but only because he died young, at just 39 years old. Standing at 3 feet and 10 inches tall, Dunn was easily identifiable on screen and appeared in several well-known films including "Ship of Fools" in 1965 and "The Last Roman" three years later. Around that same time, Dunn starred as the court jester Alexander in the classic "Star Trek" episode "Plato's Stepchildren," which became most famous for featuring the controversial interracial kiss between Kirk and Uhura that sent shockwaves across America.

By the time of the episode's airing, Dunn had appeared in  the recurring role of the villainous mad scientist Dr. Loveless in "The Wild Wild West," a character that was played by Kenneth Branagh in the 1999 big-budget feature film starring Will Smith. Dunn was a celebrated actor and received many nominations and accolades for his work. He was nominated for a Tony Award for his role in the 1963 Broadway production "The Ballad of the Sad Café" and an Oscar for "Ship of Fools." He is to date the only actor with dwarfism to be nominated for an Academy Award for acting.

In 1973, Dunn died in his sleep while on location in London filming "The Abdication," which was released a year later and would wind up his last on-screen appearance.

Madge Sinclair (Silva La Forge)

What makes Madge Sinclair unique among "Star Trek" guest stars is that she was cast in an episode of "Star Trek: The Next Generation" mostly for her connection to a franchise regular, LeVar Burton. Nearly 15 years earlier, Sinclair played Bell Reynolds in "Roots," the 1977 TV miniseries that turned Burton into a star. In the Season 7 episode "Interface," Sinclair plays the mother of Burton's character, Geordi La Forge, while fellow "Roots" alum Ben Vereen plays Geordi's father.

Playing Geordi's mother wasn't her first "Trek" role, though, because Sinclair also had an uncredited cameo in "Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home," playing the captain of the USS Saratoga. Sinclair got her start a decade before, though, with some of her first roles coming in shows like "Madigan" and "The Waltons" as well as the film "Conrack" in the early '70s. More famously, perhaps, she played Queen Aoleon, mother of Eddie Murphy's Akeem Joffer, in the 1988 comedy classic "Coming to America" (which also featured "Roots" star John Amos).

On television, Sinclair is most recognizable for her role as Ernestine Shoop on the "M*A*S*H" spin-off, "Trapper John, M.D." as well as her roles on "Gabriel's Fire" and "Me and the Boys." Her final film performance came in "The Lion King" in 1994, where she voiced Sabari, the wife of Mufasa (who was voiced by her on-screen "Coming to America" husband James Earl Jones). Sinclair died just a year after its release in 1995, aged 57, the result of cancer.

George Murdock (God, Admiral J.P. Hanson)

From Morgan Freeman to George Burns, it takes a special actor to play the lofty role of God. And as strange as it sounds, God himself showed up in "Star Trek," infamously appearing in the climax of the notoriously awful "Star Trek V: The Final Frontier," played by actor George Murdock (though the character turned out to be a noncorporeal entity). Murdock wasn't done with "Trek," though, and he'd return in "Star Trek: The Next Generation" in arguably the show's best and most famous episode, the two-parter "The Best of Both Worlds," playing Starfleet Admiral J.P. Hanson.

Even by 1989, when he played God in "Star Trek V," Murdock was already well-known to science-fiction fans. A decade earlier, Murdock had starred in the original "Battlestar Galactica" as Colonial scientist Dr. Salik. None of those roles, however, are Murdock's most famous — that belongs to the character of Lt. Ben Scanlon, the Internal Affairs officer who tormented the titular hero on "Barney Miller."

Like many guest actors, Murdock had a long list of appearances on television, with roles in everything from "The Twilight Zone" to "CHiPs." In the 1990s and 2010s, he was still going, too, and he was even back in sci-fi classics with an appearance in an episode of the "Doctor Who" spin-off "Torchwood" being among his final roles. Murdock died in 2012 at 81.

Robert Ellenstein (Federation President, Steven Miller)

"Star Trek" fans got a rare glimpse of Earth in "Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home," and for the first time, they met the Federation President, played by veteran actor Robert Ellenstein. Not a year later, though, Ellenstein was back, this time in an early episode of "Star Trek: The Next Generation" titled "Haven," playing Steven Miller, whose son Wyatt (Rob Knepper) was due to be married to ship's counselor Deanna Troi (Marina Sirtis).

A prolific actor whose work stretches back to the 1950s, Ellenstein's body of work began with an episode of the Walter Cronkite-hosted historical reenactment series "You Are There." From there, his career wove through drama anthologies like "The Pepsi-Cola Playhouse" and "Kraft Theatre." But he also filled the guest role in episodes of "Gunsmoke," "The Thin Man," and "The Rifleman." At the movies, Ellenstein had roles in several all-time classics, including the original "3:10 to Yuma," "North by Northwest," and "Brewster's Millions." He continued acting on TV throughout the '70s, '80s, and '90s, showing up in multiple episodes of hit shows like "CHiPs," "Columbo," "Marcus Welby, M.D.," and "Mission: Impossible."

One of his final on-screen performances was in an episode of "ER." Shortly after, in 1999, he took on the ultimate role: playing King Lear in a production for the Los Angeles Repertory Company. Shortly after, he stepped away from acting altogether. He died in 2010, aged 87. 

Nichelle Nichols, Uhura in ‘Star Trek,’ Dies at 89

By Carmel Dagan

Carmel Dagan

Staff Writer

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Nichelle Nichols , who portrayed communications officer Uhura on the original “ Star Trek ” series, died Saturday night in Silver City, N.M. She was 89 years old.

Nichols’ death was confirmed by Gilbert Bell, her talent manager and business partner of 15 years.

Nichols shared one of the first interracial kisses in television history on “Star Trek.” That moment, with her co-star William Shatner, was a courageous move on the part of her, “Star Trek” creator Gene Roddenberry and NBC considering the climate at the time, but the episode “Plato’s Stepchildren,” which aired in 1968, was written to give all involved an out: Uhura and Captain Kirk did not choose to kiss but were instead made to do so involuntarily by aliens with the ability to control the movements of humans. Nevertheless, it was a landmark moment.

There had been a couple of interracial kisses on American television before. A year earlier on “Movin’ With Nancy,” Sammy Davis Jr. kissed Nancy Sinatra on the cheek in what appeared to be a spontaneous gesture but was in fact carefully planned. The Uhura-Kirk kiss was likely the first televised white/African American lip-to-lip kiss.

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But Uhura, whose name comes from a Swahili word meaning “freedom,” was essential beyond the interracial kiss: A capable officer who could man other stations on the bridge when the need arose, she was one of the first African American women to be featured in a non-menial role on television.

Nichols played Lt. Uhura on the original series, voiced her on “Star Trek: The Animated Series” and played Uhura in the first six “Star Trek” films. Uhura was promoted to lieutenant commander in “Star Trek: The Motion Picture” and to full commander in “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.”

Nichols mulled leaving “Star Trek” after the first season to pursue a career on Broadway, but the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., who was a fan of the series and understood the importance of her character in opening doors for other African Americans on television, personally persuaded her to stay on the show, she told astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson in an interview for the Archive of American Television.

Whoopi Goldberg, who later played Guinan on “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” has described Uhura as a role model, recalling that she was astounded and excited to see a black woman character on television who was not a maid.

Nichols and Shatner remembered the shooting of the famous kiss very differently. In “Star Trek Memories,” Shatner said NBC insisted that the actors’ lips never actually touch (though they appear to). But in Nichols’ 1994 autobiography “Beyond Uhura,” the actress insisted that the kiss was in fact real. Nervous about audience reaction, the network insisted that alternate takes be shot with and without a kiss, but Nichols and Shatner deliberately flubbed every one of the latter so NBC would be forced to air what appeared to be a kiss (whether their lips actually touched or not).

Both the “Star Trek” and “Movin’ With Nancy” moments drew some negative reactions, though Nichols recalled that the fan mail was overwhelmingly positive and supportive.

NASA later employed Nichols in an effort to encourage women and African Americans to become astronauts. NASA Astronaut Group 8, selected in 1978, included the first women and ethnic minorities to be recruited, including three who were Black. Dr. Mae Jemison, the first Black woman to fly aboard the Space Shuttle, cited “Star Trek” as an influence in her decision to join the space agency.

Nichols remained a supporter of the space program for decades.

In 1991, Nichols became the first African American woman to have her handprints immortalized at the TCL Chinese Theatre. The ceremony also included other members of the original “Star Trek” cast.

Born Grace Nichols in Robbins, Ill. on Dec. 28, 1932, Nichols began her show business career at age 16 singing with Duke Ellington in a ballet she created for one of his compositions. Later, she sang with his band.

She studied in Chicago, New York and Los Angeles. Her break came with an appearance in Oscar Brown’s high-profile but ill-fated 1961 musical “Kicks and Co.,” in which she played campus queen Hazel Sharpe, who’s tempted by the devil and Orgy Magazine to become “Orgy Maiden of the Month.” The play closed after its brief Chicago tryout, but Nichols attracted the attention of Playboy publisher Hugh Hefner, who booked her at his Chicago Playboy Club.

Nichols also appeared in the role of Carmen for a Chicago stock company production of “Carmen Jones” and performed in a New York production of “Porgy and Bess,” making her feature debut in an uncredited role as a dancer in an adaptation of that work in 1959. (Later she would display her singing talents on occasion on “Star Trek.”)

While working in Chicago, Nichols was twice nominated for that city’s theatrical Sarah Siddons Award for best actress. The first came for “Kicks and Co.,” while the second was for her performance in Jean Genet’s “The Blacks.”

She had small roles in the films “Made in Paris,” “Mr. Buddwing” and the Sandra Dee vehicle “Doctor, You’ve Got to Be Kidding!” before she was cast on “Star Trek.”

During the early ’60s, before “Star Trek,” Nichols had an affair with Gene Roddenberry that lasted several years, according to her autobiography. The affair ended when Roddenberry realized he was in love with Majel Hudec, whom he married. When Roddenberry’s health was failing decades later, Nichols co-wrote a song for him, entitled “Gene,” that she sang at his funeral.

In January 1967, Nichols was featured on the cover of Ebony magazine, which published two feature articles on her within five years.

In the early ’70s, the actress made a few guest appearances on TV and appeared in the 1974 Blaxploitation film “Truck Turner” starring Isaac Hayes. She appeared in a supporting role in a 1983 TV adaptation of “Antony and Cleopatra” that also featured her “Star Trek” co-star Walter Koenig. She starred with Maxwell Caulfield and Talia Balsam in the 1986 horror sci-fi feature “The Supernaturals.”

Later, Nichols began to do voice work, lending her talent to the animated series “Gargoyles” and “Spider-Man.” She also voiced herself on “Futurama.”

The actress played the mother of Cuba Gooding Jr.’s lead character in 2002’s “Snow Dogs” and Miss Mable in the 2005 Ice Cube comedy “Are We There Yet?”

In 2007, Nichols recurred on the second season of the NBC drama “Heroes” as Nana Dawson, matriarch of a New Orleans family devastated by Hurricane Katrina who cares for her orphaned grandchildren and great-nephew, Micah Sanders (series regular Noah Gray-Cabey). The following year she appeared in the films “Tru Loved” and “The Torturer.”

Nichols suffered a stroke in 2015 and was diagnosed with dementia in 2018, touching off a conservatorship dispute between her manager Bell and her son as well as a friend.

Nichols was married and divorced twice. She is survived by her son, Kyle Johnson.

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Rocket launch will include sendoff of remains of some ‘Star Trek’ actors and many others

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As a teenager, Michael Clive remembers taking the long train ride with his father from their home in Maryland to Virginia, to attend their first Mars Society meeting. Michael recalls watching his father talk excitedly with other space enthusiasts about the possibility of a future mission to Mars.

In death, his father, Alan, will be closer to his dream of a celestial voyage than ever before, said his son, now 39 and a resident of Castro Valley in Alameda County.

Alan’s remains will be on board the inaugural launch of the highly anticipated Vulcan Centaur rocket, which will take off from Cape Canaveral, Fla., on Dec. 24. On board United Launch Alliance’s rocket will be the remains and DNA samples of 338 people, including some members of the original “Star Trek” TV series.

“He always figured out a way to exceed his own limitations,” Clive said of his father. He said he was happy to help his dad achieve his dream by securing a space for his remains on the Tranquility flight.

The memorial space flights are hallmarks of the Texas-based company Celestis Inc., which began its space flights in 1997. Minuscule capsules, ranging in size “from a lipstick container to about half a watch battery,” attach to commercial space flights with excess capacity, said Celestis’ co-founder and CEO Charles Chafer.

Like Celestis’ first mission, which carried remains from “Star Trek” creator Gene Roddenberry, this month’s launch will also include the remains of several people connected to the original TV series — including Nichelle Nichols (who played Lt. Uhura), Jackson DeForest Kelley (who played Dr. Leonard “Bones” McCoy) and James Doohan (who played Lt. Cmdr. Montgomery “Scotty” Scott).

Costs to rocket a loved one’s remains into space can run up to $12,995 for a lunar landing or deep space launch, according to Celestis’ website .

The Dec. 24 launch is the first time two memorial flights have been attached to the same rocket ship, Chafer said — the Tranquility and the appropriately named Enterprise flight. The rocket will first dispatch a lunar lander to conduct studies of the moon. Seventy capsules containing remains will accompany the lander to the surface of the moon.

“It becomes their ultimate memorial site,” Chafer said. “Everyone on Earth can look up at night on a full moon and see where Grandma is memorialized.”

The rocket will then continue its course, with the spacecraft blasting about 100 million miles into orbit around the sun.

“It will be humanity’s furthest outpost,” Chafer said.

For years, Michael Clive has been waiting to make good on his promise to give his dad a space memorial.

Alan grew up in Detroit but spent much of his adulthood in the Washington, D.C., suburbs. After losing his sight at age 22, Alan became a vocal advocate for disabled victims of disaster, particularly throughout his 23-year career with the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Office of Equal Rights. But his true love was always space.

Alan would read his son bedtime stories from science fiction novels, and they frequently took trips to the National Air and Space Museum, Michael recalled. Their favorite movie was “Apollo 13,” with Michael watching and explaining the scenes to his father.

Alan died in 2008 after a 10-year fight with prostate cancer, Michael said. Not long after his father’s death, Michael said he was inspired to switch from his career in movie special effects in Hollywood to aerospace. He took adult courses at Venice Beach High School to learn how to manufacture aerospace components and design his own rockets. Michael then went on to work at aerospace start-ups, including SpaceX, in and around the Los Angeles area.

“That was catalyzed by his death,” Michael said of the role his father’s passing played in his decision to switch careers. “He had no idea that would happen.”

In addition to people’s remains, the Enterprise flight will take digital data, such as original music compositions, into Earth’s orbit. Satellites typically last about five years before the “law of physics, gravity and solar activity bring the spacecraft down into the very edge of the Earth’s atmosphere, where ... it basically disintegrates,” Chafer said.

“It’s designed that way so that we don’t create space debris,” he said. “Basically dust to dust.”

While more commercial industries are partnering on flights to space — including pharmaceuticals — Celestis has been selling space memorials for more than 20 years. The Tranquility and Enterprise voyages will be the company’s 19th and 20th flights, Chafer said, and the rate of missions has increased in recent years.

Michael is hoping the launch Dec. 24 will coincide with clear nights and a full moon. He plans to track the coordinates of the rocket and aim his telescope at the night sky when his father‘s remains reach their final resting place.

With the pace of space travel, Michael mused about the possibility of his daughters — 3-year-old Lyra who loves rockets, or 7-month-old Maia, whose middle name is Alan after her grandfather — one day getting a chance to visit the moon.

“It’s weird to say that, right?” he said. “It’s reasonable to think that someone in my family — like maybe my daughters or maybe their granddaughter — will just take a ride to the moon one day and actually visit his grave there.”

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Screen Rant

Star trek: discovery season 5's callum keith rennie on captain rayner challenging burnham's authority.

Screen Rant interviews Callum Keith Rennie about how his new character, Captain Rayner, fits into Star Trek: Discovery season 5.

Warning: SPOILERS for Star Trek: Discovery Season 5

• Callum Keith Rennie brings a fresh dynamic to Star Trek: Discovery season 5 as Rayner, challenging Burnham's authority and mission.
• Rayner's complex backstory and reluctance to form connections add depth to his character and create a compelling conflict with Burnham.
• The final season of Star Trek: Discovery promises an epic adventure across the galaxy, with dangerous foes vying for an ancient power.

Callum Keith Rennie intriguingly shakes up Star Trek: Discovery season 5 as Rayner, the former Captain of the USS Antares who joins the USS Discovery as the new First Officer.

Although at odds with Captain Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green), Rayner accepts her offer to become Discovery's new Number One, so he can continue to hunt the villainous Moll (Eve Harlow) and L'ak (Elias Toufexis). Rayner also wants to fulfill his Red Directive mission and help Burnham find the ancient treasure of the Progenitors , which has the power to create life. But Rayner isn't looking to make friends or warm up to the USS Discovery's crew.

Star Trek: Discovery Season 5 Returning Cast & New Character Guide

Screen Rant spoke to Callum Keith Rennie about how he and Rayner fit into Star Trek: Discovery season 5, Rayner's unrevealed backstory, and where Star Trek ranks in his remarkable career of starring in several major franchises and hit TV shows.

Callum Keith Rennie Discusses How Rayner Fits Into Star Trek: Discovery Season 5

Screen Rant: Rayner is already one of the best foils for Burnham in Star Trek: Discovery . Tell me about Rayner and what makes him tick, from your point of view.

Callum Keith Rennie: I think he comes from a different time. I mean, from the creation of Rayner, he comes from a more authoritarian dictatorship-style shiip commander, and The Burn, and a kind of a warring Kellerun mentality. And his jam. And it's a little act first, think later style. Let's not have a conference. Let's just do stuff.

I love the friction between Burnham and Rayner. But I also love the counterbalance that's already been shown in the way they behave towards each other.

Callum Keith Rennie: Yeah, there's a bit of like he's holding his tongue. And he's trying. I mean, that's the part that I find interesting is that he knows he's maybe his last legs here. And so he's creating conflict.

What I find really interesting, too, about Rayner is that he's been a Captain in Starfleet for 30 years, and Burnham has been Captain for 2 years. But there's now this shift in the balance of power between them. What can Burnham learn from Rayner, and vice versa?

Callum Keith Rennie: I think Rayner is learning forgiveness, and second chances, and someone put a hand out and not to bite that hand. But he is still caught in who and what he has been, and how he's functioned for so long. It's hard for him to drop that. So I think through the process of the season, there's a bit more of an understanding, of listening, compassion, and a sense of camaraderie rather than man against alien, or against the galaxy, or one guy can do it all. And for Burnham to go, 'Oh, this wildcard and that kind of style of things can help too.' So there's an amalgamation of the two of them into a functioning unit.

Rayner is on the right ship if he's going to learn compassion, and cooperation, and empathy. That's kind of Discovery's deal.

Callum Keith Rennie: Yeah, and it's hard for him. That was the fun of playing this guy. 'I don't fit in here.' And coming into a show that was already very well established, you're the new kid in school. You don't know who your alliances are gonna be. You don't know how any of it works. And so you just have a chip on your shoulder, and just try to get through. And let's see what happens. So it was interesting.

There's More To Learn About Rayner In Star Trek: Discovery

I assume Rayner has a first name and a backstory we're going to find out at some point.

You may. There's a backstory that kind of lets you know why he's wired the way he's wired, and why the Moll and L’ak thing is getting him in a way that's wound him up, maybe.

One little backstory tidbit that has already been revealed is that Rayner and Admiral Vance (Oded Fehr) were friends , and they worked together back in the day. I think that's really cool. I would love to see flashbacks or something of Rayner and Vance in a previous Starfleet.

Callum Keith Rennie: There were things. I think there were lots of opportunities if it was moving on to another season. It was all set up in the way where you go, ‘Oh, let's throw in this and this.’ And then, if it had continued, then you would get backstory bits. You would have gotten a type of history that was completely different.

I'm so glad you brought that up because it was actually one of my questions. This is the final season. But were there ideas or plans for you to stay on so we get to explore Rayner if Discovery got a season 6?

Callum Keith Rennie: Yes… We assumed it was gonna continue. We weren't shooting [season 5] as ‘this is the final season.’ They'd left loose ends going because we can put that into next season, this and that, and blah, blah, blah, all of those pieces of the puzzle that showrunners and writers are very good at so. Because I finished the season and I went, ‘Well, okay. I learned a lot. And I can't wait to come back and do other things.’

How Will Captain Rayner Rank In The Star Trek Universe?

I don't know if you've watched Star Trek Picard, but Rayner has already been compared very favorably to Todd Stashwick playing Captain Liam Shaw . And it's a pretty big compliment. Because people hated Shaw at first, and they came to love him. He's now a beloved character. And I feel like Rayner is on that same trajectory.

Callum Keith Rennie: It's good to be [hated]. And I don't know that reference though I will look it up. But [Rayner] was like, 'I don't want to be liked.' Like, he was coming in and going, 'It's not my job to be liked. And it's not my job to be liked as the captain of a ship, either.' So it was fine. Like, I went, 'If I'm hated, that might be better.' (laughs) And then, through the writing, I go, 'Oh, I see this. They're creating places of understanding and connection.' There's a journey for him. It's not just one singular path.

In episode 3, Rayner meets Discovery's crew, and then you had one-on-one meetings with everybody. And you played everything very stone-faced, but was there anything the cast said or did that actually cracked you up in real life? Because some of the stuff they were saying was hilarious.

Callum Keith Rennie: No. That sequence was... there were some bits of it that... things change in editing. But I was like, 'Dismissed. Get out. Beat it. Quick, quick, quick, quick.' The edit actually made it a lot softer than it was. It is a lot harder.

Is there a scene or a moment in season 5 that has happened yet, or it's still to come, that you loved shooting, and you can't wait for everybody to see?

Callum Keith Rennie: I mean, on first viewing, there's always a kind of like a disconnect for me. I watched [episodes] three and four again last night, and I really dug it. I really dug parts of it that I hadn't seen before. I love specific moments and where Burnham and I ended up sometimes, and it's quiet, it's not a bunch of noise. But not a specific scene because sometimes you start a scene one way, and you think know what this will be, and you go, 'Oh, this was really nice'. But you kind of have to see it to go, 'Oh, I really dug that.' And so, last night watching 50, there were some really beautiful things between Burnham and Rayner that I really got a kick out of.

504 is incredible. Without spoiling, it's the best episode I've seen so far of season five. A fantastic Star Trek episode.

Callum Keith Rennie: We're all over the place. 503 was me going, 'I want what I want.' And I have to listen to the captain of the ship tell me how to meet people who I don't want to meet. And I want to follow Moll and L'ak, I want to get Moll and L'ak, I want to do my mission. And I'm used to doing my thing my way. I'm not gonna wander around [and] have people come to me. I don't care. Okay, next, beat it. And it's an episode of, 'Who is he on the ship left to his own devices?' He's going to do his own thing. So it was fun to play.

Callum Keith Rennie Has No Idea About Star Trek's Impact On His Legacy

You've been a part of a lot of franchises. You've been in Marvel, you've been Battlestar Galactica , your career is amazing. Where does Star Trek rank for you now?

Callum Keith Rennie: Where does it rank in all of that? It ranks as the last job. You know, you've been in this business for a long time. You've done a bunch of things. But I do often have to remind myself by looking at [my] resume and I go, 'Oh, yeah!' Because there's a part of me that forgets it. I like working, and I like doing stuff, but I always kind of forget the history of it until I look at it. It's like looking at old pictures: 'I remember that. I remember that. Oh, I remember her. I remember that. I remember that director. I remember that day. I remember that burrito. I remember all of that.' It's been an amazing career of lots of ups and downs and, some really great, solid shows like this one, and Battlestar, and Californication. Things I'm very, very proud of.

I hate to break it to you, but you're going to be known as Rayner forever now within Star Trek. And this is a fan base that follows you and will stay with you forever. Are you looking forward to doing conventions, meeting the fans, and being part of that?

Callum Keith Rennie: I've done one convention ever. And that was for Battlestar once in London, England, because somebody had dropped out, and then someone said, 'Do you want to?' and I'm like, 'I'm not sure'. This might have been 15-16, maybe 12 years ago. There's a place where I can see how participation in [Star Trek] is interesting. Again, I'm working on the show. I'm not thinking of any of that stuff. I actually don't know anything about it because I don't know the Star Trek world. Like the Battlestar world post-show I didn't participate in. So I did the show, the show is over, then you move on to the next thing. It was never holding on to history. But this one may be different just because I had no idea the volume of things that were going to show up, and the amount of people and interviews and all of that stuff. I'm just amazed.

About Star Trek: Discovery Season 5

The fifth and final season of Star Trek: Discovery finds Captain Burnham and the crew of the USS Discovery uncovering a mystery that will send them on an epic adventure across the galaxy to find an ancient power whose very existence has been deliberately hidden for centuries. But there are others on the hunt as well … dangerous foes who are desperate to claim the prize for themselves and will stop at nothing to get it.

Check out our other Star Trek: Discovery season 5 interviews here:

• Sonequa Martin-Green
• David Ajala and Doug Jones
• Wilson Cruz, Mary Wiseman & Blu del Barrio
• Alex Kurtzman & Michelle Paradise

New episodes of Star Trek: Discovery season 5 stream Thursdays on Paramount+

Source: Screen Rant Plus

*Availability in US

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• Star Trek: Strange New Worlds
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Follow Star Trek: Strange New Worlds

• Is Strange New Worlds the Most Innovative Star Trek Series Since the Original?

As Star Trek is almost 60 years old, the latest series from this iconic Sci-Fi series may be the most groundbreaking since the original series.

The refreshing and entertaining storyline will please both newer fans of Star Trek and even the fans of the original Star Trek series that aired back in 1966.

The first season of Star Trek Strange New Worlds first premiered on the fifth of May 2022. It is actually a sequel to the slightly controversial Discovery series that didn't follow some of the known or established lore in the Star Trek universe.

How Does Strange New Worlds Fit Into The Star Trek Universe

The original Star Trek series takes place in 2265, while the Strange New Worlds series starts in 2259. This means the iconic Captain Kirk is not the captain of the USS Enterprise (NCC-1701), which means the current captain will be Captain Christopher Pike .

This may be a bit of a change for some Star Trek fans, but it's a good change. 

Star Trek's iconic characters from the original series, such as Spock, Scotty, and Nyota Uhura, are also in the Strange New World series.

Some minor characters from the original show also appear throughout the new series, making Strange New Worlds feel like the show was meant to be.

Why is Strange New Worlds The Most Innovative Star Trek Show In Many Years

As the Star Trek: Strange New Worlds series shows us the adventures of Captain Christopher Pike and the crew at the start of USS Enterprise, it will immediately be compared to the original series.

The cast of the new Star Trek show has a compelling story arc, which can make fans of the show feel attached and almost there with them during the crew's many adventures.

The new show takes many elements of the original show, such as the optimism and fun that the crew seems to lavish on.

This does not mean the Strange New Worlds series doesn't have any heart-wrenching moments. The show does have some heavy hitters, as any Star Trek fan knows the fate of Captain Christopher Pike.

Spoiler warning for new Star Trek fans who haven't watched the original series or finished Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 1 :

Captain Christopher Pike will die.

Captain Christopher Pike's death happened in 2266, seven years after the Strange New Worlds series started and two years after the original series.

Christopher Pike dies during an accident while trying to save a handful of trainees on a Class J Starship.

Strange New Worlds doesn't shy away from the fact that Captain Christopher Pike will die; during the show, he learns that he will die and that he has to learn to face his future.

Anson Mount , who plays Christopher Pike in the Strange New Worlds series, gives us one of the best Star Trek captains who has even been in the series.

Anson Mount conveys the essence of how a Star Trek captain should act and treat his crew during any situation, even during a stressful situation.

This doesn't mean this captain doesn't break the rules; he just bends them when there is a need to do so.

Another great reason many Star Trek fans hold Strange New Worlds in such high regard is that it is family-friendly.

This alone is why the show is so popular, as families who grew up watching Star Trek can now spread the joy of Star Trek to their children without worrying about any taboo subjects or vulgar words popping up in the episode. 

Why Does Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Look So Good?

Strange New Worlds does a great job of using the older elements and designs of the original series while still finding new ways to improve the show's look and feel.

For example, during the Star Trek: Discovery series, the USS Enterprise does make an appearance in the show.

However, the design elements did not match how the starship was supposed to look during the original series.

The latest Star Trek series did a great slight remodel of the starship hull to bring it closer to the original designs while still giving the design a modern feel.

Some fans of the original series may think that the "new" USS Enterprise may look too modern and have lost the charm of the '60s version; this can be seen with the bridge of the Enterprise.

The bridge of a starship in Star Trek is the most important room on all Star Trek shows; this means they are iconic, and many fans know exactly how they look.

The Strange New Worlds creators revamped the bridge with its own elegant and unique design, but it still has many elements of the original set.

The Strange New Worlds series also relies heavily on props and filming sets that help the actors easily immerse themselves in their roles.

This allows the acting and chemistry between the actors to flow naturally.

How Will the Show Progress?

As the Strange New Worlds series is a prequel to the original series, there is only so much time before they reach the original series starting date.

But don't worry because this doesn't mean that the show will not have any compelling stories or familiar faces for fans to enjoy.

As the series continues on Paramount+ , we'll surely see some exciting and unique storylines. 

What do you think about the two shows?

Is Strange New Worlds truly more innovative than the Original? 

Jason Collins is a staff writer for TV Fanatic. You can follow him on X .

Pike: Send someone else. You don't want me in command of that ship. April: You're getting us confused. You don't want you in command. Permalink: You're getting us confused. You don't want you in command. Added: May 04, 2022

No matter how many stars there are in the sky. No matter how many galaxies swirl beyond our own. No matter the mathematical probabilities or the number of times we say, 'We are not alone in the universe,' our first visit from the stars is always the province of children's stories and science fiction. First contact with aliens always lives squarely in the impossible. First contact is just a dream until one day, it isn't. Una Permalink: No matter how many stars there are in the sky. No matter how many galaxies swirl beyond our... Added: May 04, 2022

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3 Body Problem cast guide: Meet the cast and characters (and their book equivalents)

3 Body Problem is a complex, fascinating, and mind-bending new Netflix Original series based on the Hugo Award-winning trilogy by Cixin Liu and created by Dan Weiss, David Benioff, and Alexander Woo. The show features many notable actors like Benedict Wong, Liam Cunningham, Eiza González, and more.

If you're interested in learning who plays who in 3 Body Problem and where you've seen some of the actors before (plus who their book equivalents might be), keep reading to learn everything you need to know!

Rosalind Chao as Ye Wenjie

• Age : 66 (September 23, 1957)
• Height : 5'6
• Spouse : Simon Templeman
• Instagram : @chao_time

Who is Ye Wenjie? Ye Wenjie is an astrophysics prodigy and daughter of a once acclaimed professor who was brutally murdered during the Chinese Cultural Revolution. She's faced a lot of trauma in her life, which motivates her to make a fateful decision in the 1960s that echoes across all of time and forces humanity to face a potentially world-ending threat.

Where have you seen Rosalind Chao before? If you're a '90s baby like me, you might remember Chao as Keiko O'Brien from Star Trek: The Next Generation and Deep Space Nine . She also played a pivotal role in the 2003 comedy Freaky Friday starring Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis. Other movies you might recognize her from include What Dreams May Come , Just Like Heaven , and The Joy Luck Club . In 2020, she played Mulan's mother in the live-action Disney remake. On television, Chao has appeared in popular recent series like Better Things , Sweet Tooth , and The First Lady .

What's next? The American actress will star alongside Kristen Stewart, Maya Erskine, and Michael Cera in the road trip comedy Sacramento from director Michael Angarano.

Jess Hong as Jin Cheng

• Height : 5'4
• Instagram : @jessthehong

Who is Jin Cheng? As one of the members of the Oxford Five, Jin Cheng was mentored by Vera Ye and she is a talented theoretical physicist, potentially the brightest of her generation. Jin is driven to answer some of the universe's biggest mysteries. For book fans, Jin shares many similarities with the character Cheng Xin , an aerospace engineer introduced in the third book, Death's End .

Where have you seen Jess Hong before? This New Zealand actress is an up-and-coming star who previously trained professionally at the Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Drama School. Before landing the lead role in 3 Body Problem , Hong appeared in the sci-fi series Creamerie and The Brokenwood Mysteries . A multi-talented performer, she's also acted in several theatrical productions. Hong recently wrapped filming on a horror film called Grafted that is currently in post-production.

Jovan Adepo as Saul Durand

• Age : 35 (September 6, 1988)
• Height : 5'11
• Instagram : @jovanadepo

Who is Saul Durand? If you've read the books then I'll tell you that Saul seems to be getting Luo Ji's storyline. The show sets it up perfectly by the end of the first season. But I won't say anymore for those who are unfamiliar. Saul is yet another Oxford Five member and he has a complicated relationship with Auggie Salazar. He's very gifted, but not always the most focused. When he's presented with a monumental challenge, will he finally realize his full potential?

Where have you seen Jovan Adepo before? Adepo is an accomplished actor with many impressive accolades under his belt already, including a Primetime Emmy nomination for his work on the HBO miniseries Watchmen where he played Will Reeves/Hooded Justice. He also recently starred as Sidney Palmer alongside Margot Robbie in Damien Chazelle's SAG Award-nominated 2023 film Babylon , a role he learned to play the trumpet for! Previous credits include The Leftovers , The Stand , Fences , To Catch a Killer , His Three Daughters , Sorry For Your Loss , Jack Ryan , and When They See Us .

What's next? After working on the Stephen King series The Stand , Adepo will next star in another King-based series on Max with the It prequel Welcome to Derry , set to release in 2025.

Eiza González as Auggie Salazar

• Age : 34 (January 30, 1990)
• Height : 5'8
• Instagram : @eizagonzalez

Who is Auggie Salazar? Auggie kind of gets Wang Miao's book storyline in the first season of 3 Body Problem as a talented nanotech trailblazer who finds herself seeing a creepy countdown everywhere that interrupts her research. Her brilliance makes her a target for humanity's enemies.

Where have you seen Eiza González before? Mexican actress Eiza González has been working steadily since the early 2000s, starting with her earliest job on an Argentine Nickelodeon series before getting her breakout role playing Santanico Pandemonium in the series From Dusk till Dawn: The Series . Since then, she's gone on to star in several notable projects like Baby Drive r, Alita: Battle Angel , Ambulance , and Godzilla vs. Kong .

What's next? González has multiple films in the works, including two Guy Ritchie movies and a sci-fi film with Aaron Paul titled Ash .

Alex Sharp as Will Downing

• Age : 34 (February 2, 1989)
• Height : 5'10

Who is Will Downing? Will Downing seems to be taking over the role of Yun Tianming from Death's End . He's another member of the Oxford Five and a sixth-form physics teacher who receives news that makes him reevaluate his place in the universe.

Where have you seen Alex Sharp before? Sharp is a Tony Award-winning actor who broke out thanks to his excellent performance originating the role of Christopher Boone in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time , a role that won him the Tony. He started performing after studying at the prestigious Juilliard School. Beyond that, you've seen him in The Trial of the Chicago 7 , The Hustle , Living , and One Life .

John Bradley as Jack Rooney

• Age : 35 (September 5, 1988)
• Instagram : @johnbradleywest

Who is Jack Rooney? The fifth member of the Oxford Five, Jack made his legendary fortune after building a successful snack food empire. He doesn't have a direct book correlation, but book fans might connect him to a minor character that appears in the third book and plays into Yun Tianming's storyline. Otherwise, Jack mostly serves as a comic relief character.

Where have you seen John Bradley before? The English actor is definitely best known for playing Samwell Tarly in Game of Thrones . He reunites with Dan Weiss and David Benioff in 3 Body Problem . Besides D&D's shows, Bradley's other credits include Marry Me , Moonfall , Borgia , North Shore , and Shameless .

Benedict Wong as Da Shi (Clarence)

• Age : 52 (July 3, 1971)
• Spouse : Nina Wong
• Instagram : @wongrel

Who is Clarence? Benedict Wong plays a version of the cop Da Shi that is a fan-favorite character in the book. His character is named "Da Shi" in all the press material in the show, but Thomas Wade calls him Clarence throughout the show, so it's a little confusing on what his real name is supposed to be in the series. Clarence is assigned to investigate the mysterious deaths plaguing the scientific community.

Where have you seen Benedict Wong before? A long-time actor, Benedict Wong is an acclaimed English star who has been acting on stage and screen for several decades now. He started out in projects like Dirty Pretty Things and 15 Storeys High before pivoting to roles in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the Netflix series Marco Polo . He also starred in Annihilation , The Martian , Nine Days , Deadly Class (rip), and Top Boy .

What's next? He will reportedly return to play Wong in the upcoming Avengers: Secret Wars .

Liam Cunningham as Thomas Wade

• Age : 62 (June 2, 1961)
• Height : 6'1
• Spouse : Colette Cunningham
• Instagram : @liamcunningham1

Who is Thomas Wade? Wade is a big-picture kind of guy and leads an elite intelligence organization that assists with planetary defense. His character isn't introduced until later in the trilogy, but Cunningham is great casting for Wade and his earlier introduction in the show makes sense.

Where have you seen Liam Cunningham before? Like John Bradley, Cunningham is another Game of Thrones alum. You'll remember him as Davos Seaworth in the show. But the Irish actor has been acting for a long time and racked up numerous accolades over the years. Many consider him one of the greatest actors from Ireland. His other credits include Hunger , The Last Voyage of the Demeter , Merlin , Domina , Clash of the Titans , The Crooked Man , Let Us Prey , and The Wind That Shakes the Barley .

More 3 Body Problem cast and characters

• Marlo Kelly as Tatiana , a devout follower of the San-Ti, or the Lord as she refers to them
• Sea Shimooka as Sophon , a liaison between Earth and the San-Ti, an avatar in the VR game
• Zine Tseng as Young Ye Wenjie , the younger version of Wenjie we meet early on who makes fateful decision in the 1960s that echoes across time
• Jonathan Pryce as Mike Evans , the passionate environmentalist who later becomes a billionaire; Ben Schnetzer as Young Mike Evans
• Saamer Usmani as Raj Sharma , a naval officer and boyfriend of Jin Cheng
• Eve Ridley as Follower , the 9-year-old character that is part of the VR game
• Yang Hewen as Bai Mulin , man who Ye Wenjie has a brief fling with at the labor brigade
• Vedette Lim as Vera Ye , scientist who assembled the Oxford Five and commits suicide in the first episode, daughter of Ye Wenjie
• Yu Guming as Yang Weining , Ye Wenjie's comrade at Red Coast Base

This article was originally published on netflixlife.com as 3 Body Problem cast guide: Meet the cast and characters (and their book equivalents) .

Star Trek: Picard (TV Series)

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Peter Dinklage Cast in ‘Wicked’

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Tyrion Lannister is heading to the Wonderful World of Oz. Peter Dinklage has been cast in the upcoming Broadway musical adaptation “ Wicked : Part One,” it was announced Wednesday.

Dinklage is best known for his acclaimed performance as Tyrion in HBO drama “Game of Thrones.” For his part as the scheming political manipulator, the actor won the Primetime Emmy Award for Oustanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series a record four times across the show’s eight seasons. Outside of “Game of Thrones,” Dinklage broke through with the 2003 indie film “The Station Agent,” and his other credits include “X-Men: Days of Future Past,” “Death at a Funeral,” “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri,” “Avengers: Infinity War,” “I Care A Lot,” “Cyrano,” “She Came to Me,” and last year’s “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.” He will next appear in Netflix film “Unfrosted: The Pop Tart Story,” and will star in the comedy “Brothers” opposite Josh Brolin and the Western “The Thicket” with Juliette Lewis. Related Stories Barry Jenkins Says Making ‘Mufasa: The Lion King’ Was ‘One of the Best Decisions of My Life’ ‘Young Woman and the Sea’ Trailer: Daisy Ridley Swims the English Channel in Disney’s Family Friendly Sports Drama

The “Wicked” film adaptation is based on the popular Broadway musical of the same name, which is itself based on the 1995 novel by Gregory Maguire, which in turn is based on the iconic 1900 L. Frank Baum novel “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.” Both the musical and the Maguire novel tell the story of the Wicked Witch of the West from the original Baum book, imagining her coming-of-age and friendship with Glinda the Good Witch. The stage musical, with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and a book by Winnie Holzman, was immediately successful upon its 2003 Broadway premiere, and won three Tony Awards. It has run continuously at the Gershwin Theatre in the 20 years since, and is currently the fourth longest-running production on Broadway.

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Race Across the World 2024 cast: Meet the contestants in the line-up

Get to know the five pairs taking on an epic adventure.

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Race Across the World is back for another season as five new couples embark on the ultimate adventure across Eastern Asia.

Starting from northernmost Japan, the pairs will travel across six seas and eight borders, trekking across the volcanic ring of fire before reaching the finish line in Lombok.

As ever, each pair will be stripped of their smartphones, internet access and bank cards as they take on a race like no other, with them all quite literally being in the running to win £20,000.

But who are the 10 contestants taking on this epic journey for Race Across the World 2024? Read on to find out more.

Owen and Alfie

Relationship: Best friends

More like this

From: Hertfordshire

Jobs: Trainee pilot and football referee

Best friends Alfie and Owen have a determination and maturity rarely seen and while one wants to experience everything the race throws at them, the other only has eyes for the finish lines.

Speaking of why they waned to take part in Race Across the World 2024, Alfie said: "Mainly because we're both lovers of travelling and have done a little bit of travelling before but never done the whole backpacking, country-hopping situation."

He continued: "We thought it would be such a great experience that it would be impossible to say no to."

Owen echoed Alfie's thoughts and admitted they wanted to put their "friendship to the test" and see what they can achieve.

"We wanted to see how we'd deal in this sort of situation and how well we can do," he added. "[To] see if we can make it to the end and maybe even win."

Betty and James

Relationship: Brother and sister

From: Yorkshire

Jobs: Social media and events manager and sales consultant

Brother and sister duo Betty and James hope to share the experience of a lifetime on Race Across the World.

Opening up about why they chose each other for the race, Betty said: "I think it was because we'd always watched the show as a family, I've never really spoken about it with my friends, so I think it was more the natural decision to go for."

As for a strategy, it doesn't seem Betty and James have one going into the race.

"It's so unknown there's no point really trying to make a fixed plan because it could change in an instant," James explained. "We'll try to keep it logical: when it gets to it, don't do anything rash, do everything with measure, but we also have no set plan."

Eugenie and Isabel

Relationship: Mother and daughter

From: Barking/Birmingham

Jobs: Teacher and trainee clinical scientist

Eugenie and Isabel are hoping the race will improve their understanding of one another. Prior to signing up for the race, Eugenie hadn't watched any episodes but once Isabel revealed they were going to be on the show, she began watching it and got "really excited".

"The starting point was Isabel," Eugenie explained. "And also, another thing is, I do anything I can to keep my kids happy including Isabel, so if it was going to keep my daughter happy then I was ready to do it."

By signing up for Race Across the World, Isabel hoped it'd be "something cool for us to bond together". She added: "Mum and I are not as close as we could be so I thought it would be a good opportunity to explore."

Brydie and Sharon

Jobs: Snowboard instructor and cleaner

Another mother and daughter duo joining the race is Brydie and Sharon, who are learning to embrace the challenges of travel and dyslexia.

In preparation for the series, Brydie and Sharon picked up tips from previous series. Brydie explained that they "picked up on stuff that you wouldn't normally think of like needing to bring a rain jacket, or a base layer or a woolly hat".

Sharon added: "We also brought extra leggings so we could double up. As for directions, we're talkers, so not afraid to ask anyone anything."

Stephen and Viv

Relationship: Couple

From: Rutland

Jobs: Retired

Race Across the World super fans Stephen and Viv are on a quest to prove that wisdom, perspective and maturity is the winning formula.

Having watched the series "three or four times over", they have taken on tips from previous contestants as they embark on the ultimate race.

Viv said: "I think you both have to test each other, you both have to listen. Different opinions will happen, I think you've got to give a reason behind your opinion and I think we just have to listen to each other and go along with what the consensus of opinion is."

Stephen echoed this and added: "I think talking to other people is going to be, or always seems to be, a strength in the other series, certainly."

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Race Across the World season 4 premieres on Wednesday 10th April at 9pm on BBC One and iPlayer.

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