All the Notable Guest Stars in Lower Decks: A Stellar Lineup!
Lower Decks brings beloved characters from Star Trek: The Next Generation to life in animated form Prepare for nostalgic encounters as familiar faces make appearances throughout the series, adding a delightful touch to the show's storyline
Article Overview
Star Trek: Lower Decks connects directly to Star Trek: The Next Generation, revisiting beloved characters and moments from the iconic show.
Legacy characters such as Wesley Crusher, Sonya Gomez, and Nick Locarno reprise their roles in Lower Decks, with the original TNG actors lending their voices.
Lower Decks seizes the chance to delve deeper into the lives of TNG characters like Sito Jaxa, providing a broader narrative and delving into their influence on the main characters of Lower Decks.
Star Trek: Lower Decks, set only a year after the events of Star Trek: Nemesis in the Trek timeline, intelligently includes numerous characters from Star Trek: The Next Generation. TNG, which revolves around Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) and the USS Enterprise-D crew, has gained a significant following as one of the most cherished science fiction TV series of all time. It is always exciting to revisit TNG characters, whether they had brief appearances or recurring roles throughout the show.
In a deliberate nod to its TNG origins, Star Trek: Lower Decks season 4 directly continues the story from the TNG episode that inspired its name (TNG season 7, episode 15). The season 4 finale of Lower Decks even takes viewers back to the era of TNG, featuring Wesley Crusher (Wil Wheaton) and other young cadets at Starfleet Academy through a flashback sequence. Thanks to its animated format, Lower Decks has more creative freedom to bring back beloved characters from the TNG era, and the show has excelled at securing the original TNG actors to lend their voices.
11. Lycia Naff as Sonya Gomez
Star Trek: Lower Decks Season 2, Episode 10 ("First, First Contact")
Sonya Gomez made appearances in two episodes of TNG as a young ensign newly assigned to work in engineering on the USS Enterprise-D. With her exuberance and excitement, Gomez's most memorable moment occurs when she accidentally spills hot chocolate on Captain Picard in her eagerness to remove the drink from engineering. Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge (LeVar Burton) advises Gomez to find calmness and take things slower, advice that she takes to heart. By the time the events of Lower Decks take place, Gomez has risen to the rank of captain and exhibits great skill and competence in her position.
10. Joshua Albert
Star Trek: Lower Decks Season 4, Episode 10 ("Old Friends, New Planets")
Joshua Albert, as a cadet, was part of Nova Squadron at Starfleet Academy along with Nick Locarno, Sito Jaxa, Jean Hajar (Walker Brandt), and Wesley Crusher. Unfortunately, Albert met his tragic end when Nova Squadron attempted the perilous flight maneuver known as the Kolvoord Starburst. Although Joshua was already deceased in TNG's "The First Duty," his presence is seen on-screen until the opening scene of Star Trek: Lower Decks season 4, episode 10, in a flashback to his time at Starfleet Academy 13 years ago.
This scene is a direct prelude to the TNG episode "The First Duty," which sees Wesley and Nova Squadron face the consequences of their actions.
9. Robert Duncan McNeill as Nick Locarno
Star Trek: Lower Decks Season 4, Episode 9 ("The Inner Fight") and Episode 10 ("Old Friends, New Planets")
8. Shannon Fill as Sito Jaxa
Former Starfleet cadet Nick Locarno, who suffered a disgraceful downfall in the Star Trek series TNG's "The First Duty," appeared as he successfully persuaded his fellow Nova Squadron members to conceal the death of Joshua Albert by persuading them to execute the perilous Kolvoord Starburst Maneuver. Once the truth surfaced, Locarno took most of the blame and was expelled from Starfleet Academy. Nick emerged again in season 4 of Star Trek: Lower Decks, harboring bitterness and anger towards Starfleet for their alleged mistreatment of Lower Deckers. Despite Locarno's attempt to assemble a new fleet devoid of any loyalties, the crew of the Cerritos managed to thwart his scheming.
Star Trek: Lower Decks Season 4, Episode 10 ("Old Friends, New Planets")
Bajoran Starfleet cadet Sito Jaxa also makes an appearance in the opening flashback of the Lower Decks season 4 finale, joining her fellow members of Nova Squadron. By establishing a friendship and mentorship between Sito and Mariner, Lower Decks delves deeper into the complexities of this tragic character. After previously being seen with the other members of Nova Squadron in TNG's "First Duty," Sito returns in the TNG season 7, episode 15, "Lower Decks," from which the show derives its name. In a devastating turn of events, Ensign Sito is killed by Cardassians during a covert mission, a defining moment that leads Mariner to insist on remaining a Lower Decker, just like Sito was at the time of her death.
7. Susan Gibney as Dr. Leah Brahms
Star Trek: Lower Decks Season 3, Episode 3 ("Mining The Mind’s Mines")
6. James Cromwell as Zephram Cochrane
During their mission aboard the Cerritos, the crew members stumble upon peculiar orbs that manifest their deepest desires. Lt. Sam Rutherford (Eugene Cordero) experiences a remarkable vision where he is summoned by Dr. Leah Brahms to assist in the creation of warp cores. Interestingly, Rutherford's fantasies align with those of Geordi La Forge, who infamously developed affection for a holographic rendition of Dr. Brahms in the third episode of season 3 of TNG, titled "Booby Trap." In a subsequent episode of TNG (season 4, episode 16, "Galaxy's Child"), Leah Brahms herself makes an appearance on the Enterprise-D, only to be horrified by Geordi's artificial portrayal of her.
Star Trek: Lower Decks Season 3, Episode 1 ("Grounded")
As the inventor of warp drive, Zephram Cochrane's existence in Star Trek: Lower Decks is limited to being portrayed as a hologram since he passed away long ago. In the first episode of season 3, the Lower Deckers pay a visit to Bozeman, Montana, where the Vulcans had their historic First Contact event with Cochrane following his triumphant inaugural warp flight. Now transformed into an amusement park, the location features a replica of Cochrane's renowned spacecraft, the Phoenix, which has been transformed into an exhilarating ride. To aid in their quest to clear the name of Cerritos Captain Carol Freeman (Dawnn Lewis), the Lower Deckers decide to abscond with the Phoenix replica and utilize it to return to the Cerritos, where they hope to uncover the necessary proof.
5. Alice Krige as the Borg Queen
Star Trek: Lower Decks Season 2, Episode 8 ("I, Excretus")
In Star Trek: Lower Decks season 2, episode 8, a consultant is brought in to conduct drills with the crew of the USS Cerritos, placing the lower-ranking crew members in simulated situations typically handled by the higher-ranking staff. During one of these simulations, the lower-ranking crew members must confront the Borg. Ensign Brad Boimler, portrayed by Jack Quaid, enters this scenario with a determination to achieve a perfect score, repeating the simulation multiple times until he succeeds. Boimler finds himself face to face with the Borg Queen, defeating her in a game of chess and teaching her empathy before ultimately becoming assimilated himself.
Anne Wersching portrayed the Borg Queen in Star Trek: Picard season 2, while the original Borg Queen actress, Alice Krige, reprises her role in Lower Decks. Boimler's encounter with the Borg Queen mirrors her interactions with Lt. Commander Data, played by Brent Spiner, in Star Trek: First Contact.
4. John de Lancie as Q
Star Trek: Lower Decks Season 1, Episode 8 ("Veritas")
In episode 8 of Star Trek: Lower Decks season 1, the show cleverly satirizes the popular courtroom drama format frequently seen in Star Trek. The four Lower Deckers are summoned to testify about their commanding officers, showcasing their best efforts to recall past events and defend Starfleet. A nod to the franchise's history is made with a brief appearance of Q in one of Boimler's flashbacks and at the end of the episode. In both scenes, Q is seen wearing the judge's robes from his iconic first-ever appearance in the premiere episode of TNG, where he placed all of humanity on trial.
3. Wil Wheaton as Wesley Crusher
Star Trek: Lower Decks Season 4, Episode 10 ("Old Friends, New Planets")
In the finale of Star Trek: Lower Decks season 4, Ensign Wesley Crusher briefly returns. The episode begins with a flashback in which Wesley questions Nick's plan for Nova Squadron to execute the risky Starburst Maneuver. Locarno attempts to persuade Wesley by emphasizing that Captain Picard would feel immense pride upon learning about their success. However, things take a turn for the worse when Nova Squadron fails the maneuver and attempts to conceal their mistake. Picard, far from being proud, reprimands Wesley with an unforgettable dressing down.
2. Marina Sirtis as Counselor Deanna Troi
Star Trek: Lower Decks Season 1, Episode 10 ("No Small Parts")
Following their marriage in Star Trek: Nemesis, Will Riker (Jonathan Frakes) and Deanna Troi join forces aboard the USS Titan as Riker assumes command. In the season 1 finale of Lower Decks, Troi appears alongside Riker as the Titan comes to the aid of the USS Cerritos in their confrontation with the Pakleds. Once the conflict is resolved, Troi accompanies Riker to the Cerritos bar and engages in a conversation with Commander Jack Ransom (Jerry O'Connell). While Counselor Troi points out Ransom's excessive confidence, he accepts her critique and suggests that he can adapt it to his advantage if he encounters other Betazoids.
1. Jonathan Frakes as Captain William T. Riker
Star Trek: Lower Decks Season 1, Episode 10 ("No Small Parts"), Season 2, Episode 1 ("Strange Energies"), and Season 2, Episode 2 ("Kayshon, His Eyes Open")
Captain William T. Riker has made appearances in three episodes of Lower Decks as the captain of the USS Titan. After assisting the Cerritos against the Pakleds, Riker extends a promotion to Boimler, who eagerly accepts and joins the crew of the Titan. However, Boimler soon realizes that life on the Titan may be a bit more exhilarating than he prefers, although Riker appears to thoroughly enjoy it. Despite expressing his longing to serve on the USS Enterprise-D with Captain Picard, Riker has proven himself as a capable and self-assured captain. Star Trek: Lower Decks provides an entertaining glimpse into Riker's experiences as the captain of the Titan, while also featuring various other characters from Star Trek: The Next Generation.
All four seasons of Star Trek: Lower Decks are available for streaming on Paramount+.
Editor's P/S
As a Star Trek fan, I am thrilled to see the return of beloved characters from Star Trek: The Next Generation in the animated series, Lower Decks. The show's creators have done an excellent job of capturing the essence of these characters and bringing them to life in a new and exciting way.
One of my favorite characters from TNG is Wesley Crusher, and I was delighted to see him return in Lower Decks. I am excited to see how these characters continue to develop and interact with the main cast of Lower Decks in future seasons. Overall, I think the inclusion of these legacy characters is a great way to connect the two shows and give fans of TNG a chance to revisit some of their favorite characters.
