A Next Generation icon says, “That’s just the truth.”
The spin-off series most Trekkies truly want to see come to fruition “is never gonna happen,” according to Star Trek: The Next Generation and Picard’s beloved Betazoid actress Marina Sirtis. Sirtis shared her opinion while appearing aboard this year’s Star Trek: The Cruise IX. Sirtis said while addressing a crowd attending her panel (via ComicBook.com):
“First of all, Legacy is never gonna happen. You know, you hate hearing the truth. There is not a single studio in America that is gonna make a series where most of the leading actors are over 70 years old. I’m sorry, but that’s just the truth. It’s just Hollywood.”
The possible follow-up to Picard would focus on the crew of the USS Enterprise-G, which was under the command of Seven of Nine (Jeri Ryan) as the streaming series came to a close in 2023. Seven fully intended to quit Starfleet, until Tuvok (Tim Russ) shared the late Captain Shaw’s (Todd Stashwick) surprising recommendation. That poignant scene set up the possibility of a must-see Legacy.
Today, Ryan is 58 years old. Certainly, fans would expect to see Enterprise-G First Officer Raffi (59-year-old Michelle Hurd) in Legacy, along with Jack Crusher (37-year-old Ed Speleers), too. So, the crux of the spin-off would focus on these (big three) characters, rather than Sirtis’ Deanna Troi (70 years of age) and the rest of the core TNG cast.
Thus, I’m confused as to Sirtis’ reasoning for believing Legacy would never happen due to the age of the cast. Troi, Picard (Patrick Stewart), Data (Brent Spiner), and company wouldn’t play the leads. Rather, it would be the aforementioned three actors.
Plus, I don’t care what age The Next Gen cast members are, I feel confident that Hollywood — despite their infamous track record for ageism — would welcome the core TNG seven back together again, and not just for cameos, because there's money to be made with another reunion, which would profit Tinseltown profoundly — to say nothing of us lucky fans.
Are you still holding on to hope of seeing everyone return for a possible Star Trek: Picard spin-off show? Listen, Paramount Skydance acquired Warner Bros. Discovery recently, so I think there’s still a chance, given the new powers that be, who might be open to the idea. Share your thoughts and comments on the matter with us via the Redshirts Always Die Facebook and X pages.
Live long and prosper, Trekkies!