Robert Duncan McNeill reveals he nearly appeared in Star Trek: Picard season 1 as Tom Paris

Robert Duncan McNeill as Tom Paris in Star Trek: Voyager

JULY 26, 2021 - This past weekend saw the release of the Star Trek: Lower Decks second season trailer, revealing the upcoming return of Robert Duncan McNeill’s Voyager character Lieutenant Tom Paris, albeit on a collectible commemorative plate. According to McNeill, Star Trek fans may be seeing even more of his beloved character, potentially on Star Trek: Picard.

In the latest episode of Trek.FM’s Primitive Culture, McNeill discussed his time in the “Star Trek Directors’ School” on the set of Voyager. While filming the series, he learned the craft, eventually directing eight episodes of Star Trek, evenly split between Voyager and Star Trek: Enterprise. Tucked in that conversation, McNeill revealed he’s been in discussion not only about directing Star Trek: Picard, but also possibly appearing in the series as his character, Tom Paris.

McNeill told Trek.FM, "I did talk to [showrunner] Terry Matalas about Picard season two [...] Terry had talked about bringing me over there as a director or as an actor, bringing Tom Paris, but it's really been about schedule." He went on to say, “I'd love to do Picard. I actually loved that first season.”

In fact, McNeill nearly appeared in the first season, but again, his schedule got in the way.

“It wasn't a big sequence of scenes or whatever,” McNeill said. “It was a couple of scenes with Patrick [Stewart]. I think it was just viewscreen stuff, or maybe in his office or something. It wasn't a lot, but they were trying to work it out [...] so the schedule might work, but it didn't pan out."

It’s no surprise that it’s difficult to get McNeill into the studio to work on Star Trek. The actor-turned-director even had to turn down directing for Star Trek: Discovery due to his busy schedule. Most recently, he’s been busy directing the SyFy series Resident Alien, along with directing and producing Disney’s new Turner & Hooch series. To listen to McNeill’s full conversation with Primitive Culture, visit trek.fm or you can find the show wherever you get your podcasts.