Brent Spiner played one of the most beloved characters in sci-fi Data in Star Trek: The Next Generation. A part of Captain Jean-Luc Picard’s crew, the android Data was curious about humanity and wanted to feel real human emotions. His arc and his life initially ended in the final TNG film Star Trek: Nemesis.
However, all was not lost as Spiner returned as Data and his evil twin Lore in the spinoff series Star Trek: Picard. While fans loved the reunion of Data with his Starship crew, Spiner reportedly had to be convinced a lot to reprise his role. He mentioned that he was apprehensive about his age being appropriate as Data was an ageless being.
Brent Spiner was worried he was too old to play Data before returning for Star Trek: Picard
In a cast that was led by Sir Patrick Stewart, Star Trek: The Next Generation had powerhouse performers in the form of Jonathan Frakes, LeVar Burton, and Gates McFadden. However, the true standout was Brent Spiner, who played the stoic yet curious Data in the series.
Spiner’s performance was regularly lauded by fans and critics alike, with Stewart claiming that the actor deserved an Emmy for one episode in particular. Spiner also played Data’s evil twin Lore, and his creator Dr. Noonien Soong, among other members of the family. Initially, his character met his end tragically in Star Trek: Nemesis.
When Brent Spiner was reportedly approached to play Data again in the spinoff series Star Trek: Picard after eighteen years, he was apprehensive due to his age. While also dealing with how to bring Data back to life, the makers also had to make sure Brent Spiner’s aging matched Data because he was supposed to be ageless. Spiner told the Daily News,
I am too old to play the part. I was not really confident it was a good idea for me to do it. I was concerned it would wipe out everything we’d done before. I bowed with respect to the creators of this show, who are all phenomenal talents.
After promises of fixing it with CGI and makeup, Spiner agreed to reprise his role. While he was in a supporting capacity in season one, he returned fully with the rest of the cast.
Brent Spiner had an emotional reunion with co-star Patrick Stewart
The Star Trek: The Next Generation cast was seen eighteen years before the premiere of Star Trek: Picard, which saw the return of Sir Patrick Stewart as the titular captain. The show focused on Picard’s journey after the events of Nemesis. Retired from his position as Captain, Picard is drawn back to adventure when a connection to Data enters his life.
It had almost been two decades since Stewart and Brent Spiner had shared the screen as Picard and Data and the latter revealed that it was an emotional moment to reunite on screen. He said,
I wanted to work with Patrick again. It was surreal. I hadn’t looked at Captain Picard and he hadn’t looked at Data in 18 years, and there we were looking at each other again.
He mentioned that it was odd yet beautiful to reunite with the actor and the rest of the cast on Picard. He also said that they all met regularly even if not all together.
Star Trek: Picard is available to stream on Paramount+.
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