Star Trek: The Next Generation (TNG), premiering in 1987, became a cultural phenomenon, blending sci-fi with deep character development and ethical dilemmas. Behind the scenes, lifelong friendships were formed, like Patrick Stewart and Jonathan Frakes’ enduring camaraderie, while others, like Marina Sirtis and Michael Dorn, started rocky but blossomed into close bonds.
The iconic Starfleet uniforms were uncomfortable, leading to a change in season three, and Captain Picard almost wasn’t played by Patrick Stewart, who had to wear a wig for his first meeting. Worf’s original prosthetic forehead was stolen, and Wil Wheaton humorously declined a pay raise by asking if a promotion to Lieutenant would help him pay rent. LeVar Burton struggled with the painful VISOR prop, but it became an important symbol of disability representation.
