Why was Beverly Crusher not on the second season of Star Trek: TNG?
Berverly Crusher was replaced by Katherine Pulaski in the second season of Star Trek: TNG to become leader of a medical research faculty. My question is what were the show's 'internal' reasons to replace her? Did the producer doubt the character or wasn't the actress available in that year?
Best Answer
As explained on the Sci-Fi SE:
Out-of-universe, according to some recent reports, there was some sort of problem between Gates McFadden and producer/writer Maurice Hurley. I've heard this characterized in some places as sexual harassment, but I'm not sure that's based on any actual allegations. Rick Berman did say he was at the center of it, though:
Gates McFadden fired at end of first season because head writer Maurice Hurley "he had a real bone to pick" with Gates and din’t [sic] like her acting, Berman brought Gates back for 3rd season after Hurley left
(That quote is from the summary here.)
Pictures about "Why was Beverly Crusher not on the second season of Star Trek: TNG?"
What happened to Dr Crusher in season 2 of Star Trek?
During the second season, the character was written out of the series, with the explanation that she "was off heading up Starfleet Medical for the year." Producer Rick Berman has said that McFadden left due to her disputes with the head TNG writer at the time, Maurice Hurley.Why did Beverly Crusher leave Star Trek The Next Generation?
In Making It So: Continuing Star Trek - The Next Generation, Part 2: "New Life and New Civilizations," McFadden states that she was fired. She was too vocal to the show's staff regarding some of the writing on The Next Generation being sexist, and was unsavvy at the time regarding studio politics.Why did Katherine Pulaski leave Star Trek?
Katherine Pulaski, didn't make it to the third season. Roddenberry described Muldaur as "a most talented actress", and said that the decision "to let her go was made solely because the hoped-for chemistry between her and the rest of the starship cast did not develop."When did Beverly Crusher leave Star Trek?
Star Trek: The Next Generation - Why Gates McFadden's Beverly Crusher Isn't in Season 2. Gates McFadden was fired after Star Trek: The Next Generation's first season, but fans and the cast loved her too much to let go.Where was GATES MCFADDEN during season 2 of STAR TREK - The Next Generation?
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