SPOILER WARNING: This article contains mild spoilers for seasons 2 and 3 of “Star Trek: The Next Generation.”
As fans know, two original main characters from “Star Trek: The Next Generation” were no longer a part of the cast for season 2. One of those was Natasha Yar, who asked to be released from her six-year contract to pursue other opportunities after feeling unsatisfied in her role, per IGN.
The other star missing from season 2 was Gates McFadden, who portrayed the wise and compassionate Dr. Beverly Crusher. Unlike Yar, who was killed by the infamous alien life form Armus, also known as the “oil slick monster,” in episode 23, Crusher returned for the show’s third season after being absent for all of season 2.
Rumors surrounding the reason for Crusher’s exit from the show have persisted for years, but in a 2023 podcast appearance which has surpassed a million views, McFadden revealed that she was actually fired from the show by a producer who took offense to her behind-the-scenes behavior. So, why was Gates McFadden fired from “Star Trek”? Read on to find out what happened.
Gates McFadden Reveals Who Fired Her From ‘Star Trek’ Before Her Triumphant Season 3 Return
During a 2023 appearance on the podcast “Inside of You,” Gates McFadden finally revealed the truth about her abrupt and unexplained departure from “Star Trek: The Next Generation.” As the mother of Wesley, a heavily featured child prodigy, and the ship’s Chief Medical Officer, Beverly Crusher was an integral part of the show, so her sudden disappearance stunned and dismayed fans.
McFadden said in the interview, where she confirmed she was given the boot, “They don’t call it firing. They say you’re not asked back.” The interviewer then asked, “Maurice Hurley, showrunner and head writer did not like working with you, and under her demand, you were let go.”
“It was a he,” McFadden clarified, before going on, “I think it is true. But see, I don’t know that for sure. Here’s the thing. I had said ‘no’ to ‘Star Trek’ twice before, and went to do a play for $400 a week. I wasn’t at all into the business aspect of theater or cinema.”
McFadden, who IMDbPro says graduated from Brandeis University with a degree in Theatre Arts, said started acting for creativity’s sake, and “didn’t get this whole Hollywood thing.” She continued, “There are really politics, and I didn’t know that. And also, it was a different time. They wanted women to look pretty and be a certain way, but they really didn’t want you to speak up as if you were their equal, I think.”
Gates McFadden Bravely Stood Up For Her Beliefs Behind the Scenes, Even When It Wasn’t Popular
The 76-year-old acknowledged that she’d upset Hurley, one of the head writers for “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” after going to him with unwelcome feedback about her character’s storyline. She explained, “I kept saying, ‘I’ve raised this genius kid, Wil Wheaton’s character, Wesley Crusher. I mean the guy saved the ship so many times, right? Clearly, I had something to do with it. It wasn’t just this dead husband.’ And yet every time it’s something even possibly serious, only the male characters talk to him.”
The actress admitted she got frustrated with her repetitive “Oh, Wesley!” line, saying, “I’m not buying this. This is like a ‘Leave It to Beaver’ kind of mother thing. And so I had a problem with it.” She also called out the episode “Angel One,” in which the female characters are sidelined while Riker is framed as a hero,” for having a “sexist, silly script.”
She pointed out, “There’s this planet of women, and they’re doing really well. And then all of a sudden, Will Riker (Jonathan Frakes) goes down, and they lose their minds because it’s a man.”
McFadden said despite the behind-the-scenes headbutting with production, she was informed by her agent that her character was the third most popular on the show. She made a triumphant return in season 3, and it turned out that was the perfect time to return. The third season of “TNG” was when the show found its footing and became an unmissable television staple.
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