Star Trek’s Gates McFadden reflects on her Next Gen “family”, and Dr. Crusher’s future

Gates McFadden (right) and the cast of Star Trek: The Next Generation

JULY 27, 2021 - In a recent interview with IGN, Star Trek: The Next Generation’s Gates McFadden discussed a range of topics, including her new podcast, her TNG “family”, and the past, present and potential future of her Star Trek character, Dr. Beverly Crusher.

When it comes to families, the cast of Star Trek: The Next Generation have only grown closer as the years have gone by. Just like any family, they have had their share of “ups and downs”, but their connection has endured for more than three decades. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the cast started a group text, something that hadn’t been done before. McFadden said, “That was [...] something that really had us staying together. It was very familial, and we are like a family.” McFadden reflected on the 2012 Calgary Expo, where the cast gathered for a special, TNG 25th anniversary reunion, where she says the cast had a lot of fun together. “Something new happened there,” McFadden said of the experience. “From that point on we have just grown tighter and tighter, and it's absolutely lovely.”

For all of their time together off the set, Star Trek: Picard has allowed some of the gang to get together on screen, as well. Jonathan Frakes, Marina Sirtis, and Brent Spiner have all appeared in the series so far. 

Admitting that she isn’t totally happy with her character’s overall arc, McFadden hasn’t ruled out the idea of returning as Dr. Crusher, but if she did return, she’d like to see her as “a really full character”. “I can't imagine that she wouldn't have continued working [as a doctor],” McFadden told IGN, “I loved that Dr. Crusher...was always the one who got into arguments with Picard because her first oath was the Hippocratic Oath and his was the Prime Directive. The Prime Directive was second for Crusher. And I think that's a fascinating place to be.”

To read McFadden’s full interview, head to IGN.com. You can also check out her podcast, Gates McFadden InvestiGates: Who Do You Think You Are? wherever you get your podcasts.