TrekWI: TNG Had a Rotating Cast

Throughout it's 7 year run, Star Trek: The Next Generation for the most part maintained the same cast. The exception is the character of Tasha Yar, as Denise Crosby left in season 2 because she felt she was not be utilized. Though cast members did change positions on the fictional Enterprise, everyone remained consistent. However, there were many times when there were considerations of changing the cast. Among the ones I am aware of: Patrick Stewart could have been dropped after season 3, the character of Argyle the engineer was under consideration to become a main character before the actor blew it, and there was fleeting consideration of killing off William Riker and replacing him with the character of Thomas Riker. None of these happened. However, novel series for example have been more daring.

What if, like Dr Who and a number of other series, Star Trek: The Next Generation changed the cast of characters over time? Much like Dr Who, this would allow a long term run for the series, as well as changes in characters, tone, stories, writers, locations, and so forth.
 
That's kind of what happened to Babylon 5. Honestly I felt that made the show harder to get into. Star Trek I fell is stronger for its culturally well know characters. Also you kind of get the same effect with new shows.
 
That's kind of what happened to Babylon 5. Honestly I felt that made the show harder to get into. Star Trek I fell is stronger for its culturally well know characters. Also you kind of get the same effect with new shows.

It would be divisible into eras, certainly, as Dr Who or James Bond. However, I agree it would be harder to jump into. But bear in mind that TNG does have it's own barriers, given the story and character arcs. Certainly not as much as DS9; this version may be more in line with that, which was a problem (if also a strength) for DS9. However, TNG would likely have enough popularity and dedicated audience when changes did come along and cast members decided to leave. The good thing is the show could go on for eons, bringing in new blood and new ideas. The studio cancelled the show because the salaries were getting too high and they though movies would be a better expenditure to profit ratio. That would not necessarily be a problem here. And I don't mean that as firing everyone in season 7 and bringing on totally new people -- not a hard wall. I mean that as cast changes occurring gradually over the seasons, and the transition being gradual evolutions.

And speaking of changing doctors...

The problem was that Gates McFadden was drummed out of TNG because Maurice Hurley did not like her. Pulaski never worked out as a character. In addition, the cast never gelled with her. Even the actress did not like it.
 
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