We look at 10 actors and actresses we feel,would be a good fit to replace Brent Spiner as Data if the role were to be recast for Star Trek Picard
None of us want our favourite things to be edited, updated, changed, remade or re-released in ‘Enhanced Special Editions’, but occasionally an actor needs to be replaced due to aging, illness, death, or even regeneration and now and then these changes turn out to be a great thing.
Could it also be a great thing for Data?
With our article from earlier today our own David Goodman talked about whether it was a good idea to recast Data for the upcoming Picard series, and he made a very compelling case, which got me thinking about who I would like to see cast as Data if this were to happen.
It goes without saying that Brent Spiner has played the character to perfection, but as he pointed out Data is not meant to age, grey streak ‘Skunk’ Data from Star Trek: The Next Generation: All Good Things notwithstanding.
To me it’s never been enough for a recasting article to just pick cast members who kind of look like the younger version of a character, you also need to have someone who can play the part, add their own feel, depth and dimension to the role. Fortunately Data makes this process a little easier in that his innate curiosity and wish to grow in experience and ability means that he might just as soon pick a very different look for himself if his body were to be replaced.
With that in mind we have been able to look at some great choices, presented in no particular order, to further the character, let’s start an easy pick who could continue as another Sooing type body…