Star Trek: Picard Season 2 already confirmed the return of one big character from Star Trek: The Next Generation, but that doesn't necessarily mean there won't be more. As actors like LeVar Burton are put on the spot about whether or not they'll be involved in the new season, I felt it was only fair to put the same question on beloved Star Trek actress Gates McFadden.
Gates McFadden, who played Dr. Beverly Crusher across Star Trek: The Next Generation and a handful of feature films, is gearing up for the premiere of her new podcast Gates McFadden's InvestiGates: Who Do You Think You Are? - it's coming out on Wednesday, May 12 - where she will interview her former castmates and other Star Trek veterans for intimate conversations about their time in the franchise, and everything happening in their lives at the time. I recently had the pleasure to speak to her about that awesomeness and, obviously, Star Trek: Picard. When I asked McFadden if she'd be up for a potential appearance on Star Trek: Picard, and whether we may even see her in Season 2, her response was interesting:
You know, things shift all the time. Nothing definite, yet, at all. I think that the pandemic really threw things for a loop because of how many people can be in a scene at the same time to shoot. They had a much, much, much later start than they thought. So no, I don’t have any news on that front. I would love to do it. I think Patrick and I have a great chemistry, but you know we’ll see. It’s really up to Patrick really at this point. Plans shift all the time with TV depending on so many factors. There was some shift in writers for the show, and things change. I don’t know what’s going to happen.
While Gates McFadden had nothing definitive to share about her sci-fi future, it does sound as though something may have hypothetically been in the works for Beverly Crusher on Star Trek: Picard. Unfortunately, the pandemic messed up many productions, schedules and timelines, and with Picard's filming start on Season 2 happening much later than originally planned, it seems like the creative team's plans may have changed along the way. This isn't exactly uncommon with shows, especially when a worldwide pandemic forces a shutdown, as unfortunate as it may be.
In any case, the most important takeaway here is that Gates McFadden is down for a Star Trek: Picard appearance should Patrick Stewart and the crew want to include her. (And they would be clinically mad not to.) She also noted that she appreciates the support from fans, who undoubtedly want to see more from Picard and Crusher's relationship.
I’m very pleased that people, at least certain people, want to see me on the show! That makes me feel great obviously, but we’ll see what happens.
For now, Star Trek fans will be able to keep their hopes alive while listening to the actress in Gates McFadden InvestiGates: Who Do You Think You Are?, which will be jam-packed with conversations that McFadden shared with many Star Trek notables. Teased-at guests so far include Jonathan Frakes, LeVar Burton, Will Wheaton, Brent Spiner, Marina Sirtis, Michael Dorn, John Delancie, Robert Picardo, Michael Westmore, Nana Visitor, and Denise Crosby, and that's not even an exhaustive list.
The podcast Gates McFadden InvestiGates: Who Do You Think You Are? will feature never-before-heard stories that promise to be a treat for both the casual audiences as well as more dedicated fans. So even if we won't see McFadden return as Beverly Crusher in 2022, at least this podcast will be a nice consolation until she does make her Trek TV comeback.
Gates McFadden InvestiGates: Who Do You Think You Are? is set to release on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Podbean, Amazon Music, and more on Wednesday, May 12. Gear up for the release to make it through the current dry period of new Star Trek content, which could go on a bit longer thanks to a recent production shut-down.
