A classic Star Trek: The Next Generation character is returning in Star Trek: Prodigy
By Chad Porto
Star Trek: Prodigyg is returning on October 27 with a classic character in tow.
Star Trek: Prodigy is a great series that does a wonderful job of creating an entry point for new fans to get into the series. It isn’t just trying to open up doors for new fans, however, as the series also does a great job of attracting older fans back with their use of classic characters.
The show has already used Kathryn Janeway (Kate Mulgrew) and Chakotay (Robert Beltran) to help attract fans of a different ages into the series, but that wasn’t all. The show also brought in Spock, Odo, Uhura, and others for a special cameo as holodeck characters.
It’s finding ways to appeal to both old and new fans alike. Another way they may be trying to lure older fans into the series is with the series debut of another classic Star Trek character; Thadiun Okona.
Okona first debuted on The Next Generation and was played by Billy Campbell, and the character was last seen on Lower Decks in a minor role but will return to Prodigy as a recurring character.
Billy Campbell is an underrated science fiction icon.
Campbell isn’t just known for his time on Star Trek, he also famously took up the mantel of pop superhero The Rocketeer in the 1991 film of the same name. It’s an underrated classic in my opinion but Campbell’s run in sci-fi doesn’t end there.
He was a key player in the SyFy series Helix, which debuted with a fantastic first season, and severely lackluster follow-up season. He also appeared in the critically acclaimed Eureka, another SyFy staple.
Yet he’s probably best known for his work on the USA Network series The 4400, which featured humans being abducted and given superpowers for some unknown reason.
His turn on Prodigy will just be the feather in the camp for his sci-fi career.