Star Trek actor Robin Curtis compares what it’s like working on set with William Shatner and Patrick Stewart. Curtis is the second actor to play Lt. Saavik; she took over the role originated by Kirstie Alley in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, and Curtis reprised Saavik in Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home. Curtis then played Tallera in Star Trek: The Next Generation‘s “Gambit” two-parter, placing Robin on the short list of Star Trek actors who have worked opposite both Starship Enterprise Captains, James T. Kirk and Jean-Luc Picard.
Robin Curtis was a guest on The D-Con Chamber to discuss her life, career, and Star Trek with hosts Dominic Keating and Connor Trinneer. When Curtis was asked what her impressions were of Leonard Nimoy directing William Shatner on Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, Robin described Shatner as being respected by the production but distant from the rest of the Star Trek cast. Curtis then contrasted Shatner with Patrick Stewart on the set of Star Trek: The Next Generation. Read Robin Curtis’ quote and watch The D-Con Chamber video below:
What I saw was a lot of respect and deference to [William Shatner], what I didn’t know at the time, [I] learned later, was that I think Bill was off doing another film. There was pressure on him to wrap things up, and then he needed to go to someplace else. So unlike all the others [actors] who were very available and hanging out on set… Bill was removed. Like, he wasn’t a part of that as the other actors were. It’s a shame. I don’t know if I ever had more than two minutes of small talk with the man. Which is okay, I’m not complaining.
It was almost the same way with Patrick Stewart, but for a different reason… He really was engaged. They changed scenes one day, and I marveled at how this man took a whole scene of dialogue – you know the Star Trek dialogue, the multisyllabic, high-techy, gobbledy-gooky words – [Patrick] wraps his brain around it in a matter of minutes.
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Source: The D-Con Chamber
Star Trek: The Original Series
Where to Watch*Availability in US
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
Not available
Not available
- Cast
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William Shatner
, Leonard Nimoy
, Deforest Kelley
, Nichelle Nichols
, James Doohan
, George Takei
, Walter Koenig - Seasons
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3
- Streaming Service(s)
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Paramount+
- Franchise(s)
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Star Trek
- Writers
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Gene Roddenberry
- Showrunner
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Gene Roddenberry
- Where To Watch
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Paramount+
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Where to Watch*Availability in US
- stream
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Not available
Not available
Not available
- Cast
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Patrick Stewart
, Marina Sirtis
, Brent Spiner
, Jonathan Frakes
, LeVar Burton
, Wil Wheaton
, Gates McFadden
, Michael Dorn - Seasons
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7
- Streaming Service(s)
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Paramount+
- Franchise(s)
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Star Trek
- Writers
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Rick Berman
, Michael Piller
, Brannon Braga
, Jeri Taylor
, Ronald D. Moore - Showrunner
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Rick Berman
, Michael Piller
, Jeri Taylor - Where To Watch
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Paramount+
