Jeffrey Combs didn’t want to guest star on ENT

Jeffrey Combs had recurred on Deep Space Nine

After playing Weyoun and Brunt and others on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine for over thirty episodes, Jeffery Combs was ready to move onto something more permanent on the next Star Trek series. So when the news broke that a new series (Star Trek: Enterprise) was underway, he was hoping to get on as a regular.

According to a quote copied in The Fifty-Year Mission The Next 25 Years, Combs thought that he should get a promotion because of his time on Deep Space Nine. But that didn’t happen. And when he was offered a gust-starring role on ENT, at first, he didn’t want to take it.

"“That was my feeling, because after having a run on Star Trek and loving and cherishing DS9 as much as I did, a oner didn’t interest me.”"

An Andorian changed Jeffery Combs’ mind

Combs got intrigued when he was told the part they wanted him to play was an Andorian and that it would be a recurring role. In addition, it wasn’t a “weaselly [sic] diplomat” as Commander Shran was the commander of his own ship.

After reading the script, Combs said he really liked the tone, regardless of whether or not he came back.

"“…saw immediately that there was something to play there: weary, suspicious, chip on the shoulder, but also been hurt and burned a lot.”"

And Commander Shran ended up being such a strong character that he would have come back as a series regular for season five of Enterprise had the series been renewed which is just one more disappointment about the early cancelation. But with all of the Star Trek series currently airing and underway, one can hope Combs will return to the franchise soon. Perhaps even as Commander Shran in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.