Alexander Siddig was considered for Sisko on DS9

Alexander Siddig could have had a different role on Deep Space Nine

Alexander Siddig portrayed Dr. Julian Bashir on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine for seven seasons, and though his character wasn’t popular at first, fans did warm up to the brash doctor. Originally, though, it might come as a surprise that the actor was being considered for a much larger role, that of the commanding officer of Deep Space Nine, Benjamin Sisko.

According to The Making of Star Trek Deep Space Nine, when Siddig was still performing under his birth name, Siddig El Fadil, Siddig was cast as King Faisil in the British TV production of A Dangerous Man: Lawrence After Arabia. His performance caught the eye of more than just the viewers as Rick Berman happened to catch the show on PBS. Impressed by the actor, Berman had Paramount’s London office locate the actor as he thought Siddig would be perfect for the role of Commander Benjamin Siskso.

Alexander Siddig’s age kept him from playing Commander Sisko

Siddig had been wanting to appear on a Star Trek series so much in fact that he’d told his agent he wouldn’t accept any American television roles unless it was on Star Trek: The Next Generation. He had been suggesting to his agent to get him a guest starring role on the series, possibly as Counselor Deanna Troi’s brother. So one can only imagine his surprise when he discovered Rick Berman was interested in him for a Star Trek role.

After learning that Siddig was only in his mid-twenties, Berman reconsidered offering him the role of Sisko and, instead, asked him to audition for the role of Dr. Julian Bashir. The rest is, of course, history. Think for a moment, though, if Alexander Siddig had only been a few years old, Deep Space Nine would have had a much different Commander Benjamin Sisko.