Gates McFadden wants to change Dr. Crusher

Gates McFadden is looking to change things up

Star Trek: The Next Generation’s Gates McFadden played Dr. Beverly Crusher for six seasons and in all all four movies. Fans knew her as the no-nonsense doctor who would stand up to Captain Picard, called the shots in the infirmary, and wasn’t afraid to take chances. Now, though, McFadden says she’s ready to shake things up a little more if her character ever returns to a Star Trek property.

McFadden told CBR that she is open to making her character unethical and much different than ever before.

"I think it’s really become a more inclusive universe now and I really like where things are going. And there are so many things that really affect people. So many great, new role models and humor and ways of trying to grapple through with the present. We have gone through a tough time here and the world just keeps getting more and more complex because there are so many more of us and we’re aware of things going on in Gaza in a way my great-grandparents weren’t."

But would fans accept Dr. Crusher as anything less than what they’ve known her before? And how would a lack of ethics play into her character? Would she cross boundaries perhaps like Captain Sisko did in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine’s “In the Pale Moonlight?” What would make her sacrifice her scruples in such a manner that it would leave an indelible mark on Dr. Crusher?

Gates McFadden won’t get the chance to make changes this year

McFadden won’t be appearing in Star Trek: Picard this year so we won’t get a chance to see how she might implement these changes she wants. While there’s always the possibility she’ll return for the third season of Patrick Stewart’s series, it’s doubtful she will show up on one of the other series, unless it’s perhaps Lower Decks. That probably wouldn’t give her the opportunity to rebrand her character, though, as the animated series isn’t really known for in-depth characterization.

At any rate, it will be interesting to see exactly what McFadden has in mind for Dr. Beverly Crusher when she is invited back to the franchise. And how Admiral Picard will react to the changes.