Unveiling the Untold Tale: The Fascinating Dichotomy Between Star Trek's Quark Actor and the DS9 Cast vs TNG

Summary

DS9's set was markedly different from TNG's, with a more serious and focused atmosphere. The actors took their work seriously and strived to do their best.

Avery Brooks, portraying Captain Benjamin Sisko, set the tone on the DS9 set. With his serious yet charismatic demeanor, the atmosphere was predominantly focused and thoughtful, occasionally interrupted by moments of laughter. In contrast to the lightheartedness often seen on the set of TNG, the cast of DS9 rarely indulged in laughter, prioritizing their commitment to deliver outstanding performances and achieve the highest standards for the Star Trek series.

Armin Shimerman, known for his role as the Ferengi entrepreneur Quark in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, recently discussed the notable differences between DS9's set and that of Star Trek: The Next Generation. While TNG was known for its lively and humorous atmosphere, DS9 had a distinct culture and demeanor. Shimerman shared this insight during an appearance on The Shuttlepod Show podcast, alongside Dominic Keating, Connor Trinneer, and Erica LaRose, just before the SAG-AFTRA strike. He emphasized the contrasting dynamics established by DS9's lead, Avery Brooks. To hear Shimerman's full account, including the aforementioned quote, and watch the relevant video from The Shuttlepod Show, starting at the 55:36 time stamp, please refer below.

The Next Generation individuals had a constant habit of laughing, but we didn't share in that laughter. I take great pride in this fact: our main goal was to deliver the best Star Trek experience possible. We approached our work with utmost dedication, fully aware that we were fortunate to have exceptionally talented actors and a remarkable supporting cast. Failing to give our best effort would have reflected poorly on us. Consequently, we were committed to honing our craft and delivering our best performance, rather than seeking laughs.

Furthermore, there is a saying that the atmosphere on set is set by the person in the lead role, the one at the top of the callsheet. In the case of Star Trek, this responsibility fell on Captain Avery, a person of notable seriousness and charisma. While he occasionally laughed, his laughter was rare and filled the room when it occurred. As a result, we all adopted a serious-minded approach.

Source: The Shuttlepod Show