What would have made Denise Crosby reconsider leaving Star Trek: The Next Generation

Denise Crosby only portrayed Lt. Tasha Yar on Star Trek: The Next Generation for a portion of the first season. Unhappy with what her character was being given, Crosby decided to leave the series and was subsequently killed off. In interviews since then, Crosby has expressed how she couldn't wait to get off the show, but it seems like things would have been different if she had some foreknowledge about exactly how important The Next Generation would become to the franchise and to the fans.

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly back in 2007, Crosby talked about how she didn't know The Next Generation was going to be such a "meaningful show." We all know hindsight is 20/20, but Crosby would have reconsidered her departure plans if she'd known what lay ahead for the series.

"I had no idea at the time that this was going to be such a meaningful show and resonate like it has to so many people. In truth, had I known, I think I would have reconsidered [leaving the show in the first season]."

- Denise Crosby

No one could have known exactly how much impact The Next Generation would have on the franchise. Star Trek: The Original Series, the foundational-series, began with a struggle and continued to struggle throughout its three seasons. But once it went into syndication, it found its place and legions of fans. So many of those fans were against the idea of another Star Trek series that there was initial doubt as to whether The Next Generation was going to be successful.

Fortunately, fans found The Next Generation and tuned in each week, giving the series a chance to grow and become such an integral part of the franchise. Crosby couldn't have known just how important the series would become, but then again, neither did the other actors. They remained with the series, and it didn't take them long to see they were a part of something incredible.