Fans of 1990s television were thrilled this week when Gates McFadden, the beloved actress behind Dr. Beverly Crusher on Star Trek: The Next Generation, was spotted running errands in Los Angeles.
At 76, she looked effortlessly stylish in a black tee, faded jeans, and a fedora, bringing a touch of intergalactic glamour to everyday life.
From Hollywood Choreographer to Starfleet Doctor
Before her Star Trek fame, McFadden made waves in Hollywood as a choreographer under the name Cheryl McFadden.
She worked on projects for The Jim Henson Company, including Labyrinth and The Muppets Take Manhattan, and even received an offer from Frank Oz to choreograph Audrey II in Little Shop of Horrors.
Choosing to focus on acting instead, she soon landed the iconic role of Dr. Beverly Crusher in 1987.
Early Controversy on the Star Trek Set
Despite Crusher’s popularity, McFadden was unexpectedly let go after the first season following clashes with co-executive producer Maurice Hurley.
She has since reflected on the male-dominated environment of the show and her push for more meaningful roles for women:
“Why can’t we have something like this? Why does the mother always have to be this way?”
Hurley reportedly gave an ultimatum: her or him, and the producers chose to keep him.
Returning to the Crew
After Season 2, Hurley and his replacement for McFadden, Dr. Katherine Pulaski, played by Diana Muldaur, were both let go.
McFadden was personally invited back by Patrick Stewart, who played Captain Jean-Luc Picard.
She recalled being moved by the overwhelming support from fans, saying she received thousands of letters: “I had no idea that people cared that much.”
Center of a Controversial Episode
McFadden returned to star in one of the series’ most debated episodes, 1990’s The High Ground.
The episode, which included a line referencing the “Irish unification of 2024,” was banned in the UK and Ireland due to ongoing conflict in Northern Ireland.
Satellite broadcaster Sky aired an edited version in 1992, while the BBC waited until 2007 to show the episode.
Episode Plot Sparks Political Debate
In the episode, the android Data, played by Brent Spiner, questions whether violence can be a legitimate means for political change, citing examples including the Irish unification of 2024.
Captain Picard, portrayed by Stewart, responds with moral caution, highlighting the complex nature of political conflict.
The episode’s content reflected real-world sensitivities during the Troubles, but by 2024, Sinn Féin has committed to pursuing a united Ireland through peaceful, democratic means.
Continuing the Star Trek Legacy
Gates McFadden has continued to embrace her Star Trek legacy, reprising Dr. Crusher on Star Trek: Prodigy and in the third season of Star Trek: Picard.
Even decades later, her presence both on and off-screen remains a beloved touchstone for fans of the franchise.
Share on Facebook «||» Share on Twitter «||» Share on Reddit «||» Share on LinkedIn