Star Trek: Strange New Worldsguest star Cillian O’Sullivan’s dream role would be a main character in aStar Trek: The Next Generationreboot. O’Sullivan plays Dr. Roger Korby, the new love interest of Nurse Christine Chapel (Jess Bush) inStar Trek: Strange New Worlds.Korby is also a legacy characterwho takes a villainous turn inStar Trek: The Original Series.
In an exclusive interview withScreenRant’s John Orquiola about playing Dr. Roger Korby inStar Trek: Strange New Worlds, Cillian O’Sullivan described himself as a"massive" Star Trekfan who grew up lovingStar Trek: The Next Generation. Noting that he didn’t expect to play Korby inStar Trekuntil it happened,O’Sullivan revealed who fromTNGwould be his dream role. Read Cillian’s quote below:
Cillian O’Sullivan: “Maybe, and maybe this would be a tragedy if they did, but if they ever remade Star Trek: The Next Generation, I think I grow a pretty epic beard. That’s all I’m saying. And I do a crackin' American accent.”
Cillian O’Sullivan’s Star Trek Dream Role Is Commander Riker In A Star Trek: The Next Generation Reboot
Will TNG Ever Get Rebooted?
Of course, Cillian O’Sullivan’sStar Trek: The Next Generationdream role isCommander William T. Riker. Jonathan Frakes portrayed Riker in all seven seasons ofTNG, fourTNGmovies, andStar Trek: Picard. In addition, Frakes brought Riker toStar Trek: Deep Space Nine, Star Trek: Voyager, Star Trek: Enterprise, andStar Trek: Lower Decks, setting the record for appearing in the mostStar Trekseries as his iconic character.
Star Trek: The Next Generationhas not been rebooted, and it’s unclear if that will ever happen.Star Trek’s reboots have centered around new versions of Captain James T. Kirk and his Starship Enterprise. Instead,Star Trek: The Next Generation’s castreunited to critical and audience acclaim inStar Trek: Picardseason 3. IfTNGever does get rebooted, tragedy or not, Cillian O’Sullivan has already thrown his name in the hat as the new Commander Riker.
Our Take On Cillian O’Sullivan Playing Riker In A Star Trek: The Next Generation Reboot
Jonathan Frakes Would Likely Give His Blessing
Cillian O’Sullivan has the physical stature, charisma, and acting chops to play Commander Will Riker. Like Jonathan Frakes, O’Sullivan is tall, dashing, a tad roguish, can play a love interest, andhe would be willing to grow Riker’s trademark beard. O’Sullivan would also play Riker as an American rather than reinvent Will as an Irishman as he has Dr. Roger Korby inStar Trek: Strange New Worlds.
Jonathan Frakes also became a celebrated director, and he’s considered the favorite director ofStar Trek’s various casts. Frakes directedStar Trek: Strange New Worlds’comedy crossover withStar Trek: Lower Decks, and he helmedStar Trek: Strange New Worlds season 3’s holodeck murder mystery,“A Space Adventure Hour.”
Unfortunately, Cillian O’Sullivan hasn’t had the opportunity to be directed by Frakes onStar Trek: Strange New Worlds, but Jonathan would likely give Cillian his blessing if his dream role as Commander Riker ever comes to be.
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Cast
Star Trek: The Next Generation follows Captain Jean-Luc Picard and his crew aboard the USS Enterprise NCC-1701D as they embark on interstellar explorations, seeking out new worlds and civilizations.
