Gene Roddenberry’s Influence on Denise Crosby’s Star Trek Casting Choices
In an intriguing piece of Star Trek history, we learn that Gene Roddenberry had a significant hand in shaping the casting of one of the franchise’s most beloved characters. The role in question is that of Tasha Yar from “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” a character initially conceived as a Latina named Lieutenant Macha Hernandez. This character, inspired by the tough military figure Vasquez from the iconic film “Aliens,” underwent various transformations before landing on the name Tasha Yar.
During the casting process, a diverse group of actresses, including Rosalind Chao, Marina Sirtis, Julia Nickson, and Bunty Bailey, auditioned for this pivotal role. At one point, Chao emerged as a leading candidate. However, Denise Crosby, who was gaining traction in Hollywood and had recently starred in “Eliminators,” ended up being cast as Tasha Yar after making a mark during her auditions.
Interestingly, Crosby was already familiar to the show’s producers, having previously auditioned for the role of Counselor Deanna Troi, the Enterprise’s empathetic psychiatrist. The eventual casting outcome saw Marina Sirtis, another hopeful for the role of Tasha, stepping into the shoes of Counselor Troi, with the two actresses essentially swapping roles at Roddenberry’s suggestion.
According to Crosby, this swap was not merely rumor. In an interview, she recounted the audition process and mentioned how Roddenberry preferred to see her in a different light. She indicated that her agent informed her about this directive from Roddenberry, who believed the two actresses would create a more visually fulfilling dynamic by trading parts. Crosby described how her agent communicated that Roddenberry was impressed but wanted her to shift to auditioning for Tasha Yar instead.
It’s fascinating to think how close we came to seeing a different portrayal of these iconic characters. When Troi was originally described, she was envisioned as a “cool, Icelandic blonde,” which contrasted with Sirtis’s dark hair—creating a visual balance that casting directors keenly considered. Ultimately, Crosby’s tenure on the show was brief, as she departed during its first season. Yet, the legacy of her near-role as Counselor Troi illuminates the ever-evolving nature of casting in the iconic series. Trekkies can only imagine how different the show might have been had Crosby donned the empathic mantle of Troi while Sirtis embodied the fierce persona of Tasha Yar.
