Star Trek: The Next Generation
American science fiction television series
Star Trek: The Next Generation (TNG) focuses on the 24th century adventures of Captain Jean-Luc Picard aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise (NCC-1701-D). This incarnation of the famous starship is much larger than the one captained by James T. Kirk a century earlier, and, accordingly, it carries a larger crew complement: 1,012 men, women…and, surprisingly, children. This era's Starfleet Command believes that men and women are more likely to sign up for long-term exploratory missions if they think of their ship as home. Thus, Picard's crew enjoys many of the comforts they'd have otherwise left behind, including a wide variety of recreational opportunities, "replicated" food dishes to suit every palate, and quarters large enough to share with spouses and offspring. There are schools for the children and a bar (stocked with synthetic alcohol, or synthehol) where the adults can unwind. However, the ongoing mission—no longer limited to a mere five years—remains virtually the same as it was during Kirk's time: to seek out new life and new civilizations, and to boldly go where no one has gone before.
Cast ages at the series premiere (September 28, 1987)
- Patrick Stewart, as Captain Jean-Luc Picard: 47
- Jonathan Frakes, as Commander William T. Riker: 35
- Brent Spiner, as Lt. Commander Data: 38
- Michael Dorn, as Lieutenant Worf: 34
- LeVar Burton, as Lt. Commander Geordi LaForge: 30
- Marina Sirtis, as Counselor Deanna Troi: 32
- Gates McFadden, as Dr. Beverly Crusher: 38
- Wil Wheaton, as Ensign Wesley Crusher: 15
- Denise Crosby, as Lt. Tasha Yar: 29