Spotted on a rare Los Angeles outing this week, a cherished 1990s TV icon was sure to bring a smile to fans who caught a glimpse of her.
Now 76, the actress gained fame portraying Dr. Beverly Crusher on “Star Trek: The Next Generation.” She exuded casual elegance while going about her day in a black t-shirt, faded denim, and a stylish fedora.
A stark contrast from her interstellar attire alongside Patrick Stewart’s Captain Jean-Luc Picard in the series’ pioneering spin-off, she appeared grounded and relaxed.
Despite the electrifying on-screen chemistry between Crusher and Picard, the actress faced an unexpected exit after the first season due to a disagreement with a producer over perceived sexist portrayals.
Her return was marked by participation in one of the show’s most debated episodes, 1990’s “The High Ground,” which faced bans in the UK and Ireland due to a contentious line about the ‘Irish unification of 2024.’
Can you name this controversial sci-fi queen?
One of the most beloved faces of 1990s television was spotted on a rare outing in Los Angelesthis week, instantly delighting longtime fans
The actress, now 76, rose to fame as Dr. Beverly Crusher on Star Trek: The Next Generation and looked effortlessly chic while running errands in a black tee, faded jeans, and a fedora
If you said Gates McFadden, you’re right.
Before becoming Dr. Beverly Crusher on Star Trek: The Next Generation, the Akron, Ohio native made her mark in Hollywood as a choreographer under the name Cheryl McFadden.
She worked with The Jim Henson Company, directing choreography and puppet movement on Labyrinth and The Muppets Take Manhattan, and was even approached by Frank Oz to choreograph Audrey II in Little Shop of Horrors.
She turned it down to focus on acting — a decision that soon led to Star Trek.
McFadden landed Crusher in 1987, bringing her training in physical theatre under Jacques Lecoq in Paris to the role.
Despite her character’s popularity in the pilot season, she was abruptly let go after Season 1 following a clash with co-executive producer Maurice Hurley.
Her character was replaced for Season 2 by Dr. Katherine Pulaski, played by Diana Muldaur.
Looking back, she told TooFab the series was ‘very male-dominated’ and admitted she stepped on toes by questioning why women couldn’t have more meaningful roles: ‘Why can’t we have something like this? Why does the mother always have to be this way?’
She appeared worlds away from her days in an intergalactic wardrobe opposite Patrick Stewart’s Captain Jean-Luc Picard in the franchise’s groundbreaking first spinoff series
Despite the show’s sizzling sexual tension between Crusher and Picard, the actress was abruptly fired after the first season following a reported clash with a producer over sexist stereotypes
McFadden said Hurley gave an ultimatum: ‘either she goes, or I go,’ and the producers kept him.
After Season 2, both Hurley and Muldaur were let go, and McFadden was invited back — with Patrick Stewart personally asking her to return.
‘I know that the fans were incredible, and I was moved to tears by letters I got; I got thousands. I had no idea that people cared that much,” she recalled to TooFab.
McFadden’s return also placed her at the center of one of Star Trek: The Next Generation’s most controversial episodes, 1990’s The High Ground.
In the episode, Data, played by Brent Spiner, references the ‘Irish unification of 2024’ while discussing historical examples of violence achieving political change.
‘I’ve been reviewing the history of armed rebellion, and it appears that terrorism is an effective way to promote political change,’ says Data.
‘Yes it can be,’ replies Captain Jean-Luc Picard, portrayed by Stewart, ‘but I have never subscribed to the theory that political power flows from the barrel of a gun.’
‘Yet there are numerous examples of when it was successful,’ Data continues. ‘The independence of the Mexican state from Spain, the Irish unification of 2024, and the Kenzie rebellion.’
If you said Gates McFadden, you’re right; (pictured 1989)
Despite her character’s popularity in the pilot season, she was abruptly let go after Season 1 following a clash with co-executive producer Maurice Hurley
McFadden was part of Star Trek: The Next Generation’s most controversial episodes, 1990’s The High Ground, in which Data (Brent Spiner) references the ‘Irish unification of 2024’ while debating violence as a means for political change
After Season 2, both Hurley and Muldaur were let go, and McFadden was invited back — with Patrick Stewart personally asking her to return; (pictured 2023)
McFadden has continued her Star Trek legacy, reprising Dr. Crusher on Star Trek: Prodigy and again in the third season of Star Trek: Picard
‘I’m aware of them,’ Picard responds, before Data asks: ‘Would it then be accurate to say that terrorism is acceptable when all options for peaceful settlement have been foreclosed?’
‘Data, these are questions that mankind has been struggling with throughout history,’ replues Picard. ‘Your confusion is only human.’
While the episode aired in the U.S., its political content led to it being banned by the BBC and Irish broadcaster RTÉ, as the conflict in Northern Ireland was still active.
Satellite broadcaster Sky reportedly aired an edited version in 1992, and another version didn’t appear on the BBC until September 2007.
The decision reflected the sensitivity of the subject during a period when violence involving the Provisional IRA remained a reality.
In 2024 — the very year referenced in the episode — Sinn Féin, which emerged as the political wing of the IRA, stands as the largest party in the Northern Ireland Assembly.
The modern Sinn Féin has committed to achieving a united Ireland through peaceful, democratic means.
And McFadden, for her part, has continued her Star Trek legacy, reprising Dr. Crusher on Star Trek: Prodigy and again in the third season of Star Trek: Picard.
