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What Paramount has been avoiding is replacing the cast of Star Trek: The Next Generation. Of course, Star Trek: Picard picks up after the events of that show, allowing all the familiar faces to return and continue their characters’ stories. However, it’s only a matter of time before it’s time to refill the bridge of the Enterprise-D. Here’s what the cast of The Next Generation would look like if the show were made today.
8) Jacob Tremblay as Wesley Crusher
There aren’t many Star Trek characters as controversial as Wesley Crusher. After coming aboard the Enterprise-D, he acts like he’s the smartest person on the ship, and he’s probably not far off. To avoid the issues that plague the original show, Jacob Tremblay, who knows a thing or two about playing a wunderkind, will step in for Will Wheaton. The Wonder star will bring a humbleness to Wesley that’s necessary if he wants to stick around for the long haul.
7) Stephanie Beatriz as Deanna Troi
Marina Sirtis’ Deanna Troi is the voice of reason throughout The Next Generation, serving as the ship’s counselor and using her psionic abilities to communicate with alien races. There’s always a sense of calm when Troi is around, and Stephanie Beatriz can recreate that. While Beatriz’s role in Brooklyn Nine-Nine makes it out like she’s nothing but a grouch, her other roles prove that there are no limits to her acting range. Put her Troi in a room with crewmates, and they’ll all be singing like canaries about their troubles.
6) Kirsten Dunst as Beverly Crusher
Chief Medical Officer is the most overlooked position on a Starfleet ship, but Beverly Crusher does such a good job that it’s hard to ignore her. The only knock against her character is that The Next Generation doesn’t know what to do with her at times, relegating her to the background in major stories. Having Kirsten Dunst in the mix would take care of that issue because there’s very little she can’t do when it comes to acting. She chews up scenery and could easily go toe-to-toe with whoever ends up playing her love interest, Jean-Luc Picard.
5) Winston Duke as Worf
The Next Generation works hard to ensure that Klingons aren’t seen only as bad guys. The show’s most significant leap is making a Klingon named Worf one of its main characters. He serves as the Chief Security Officer under Picard’s command and does a bang-up job, being a physical presence that makes would-be attackers think twice about messing with Starfleet. Black Panther star Winston Duke has been filling that role for years, including in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, he also has what it takes to explore Worf’s emotions, as the Klingon has plenty of skeletons in his closet.
