Star Trek is a franchise that’s built on beloved characters who have risen to the status of icons across generations. Many of them have reprised their roles in recent projects, but Colm Meaney seems to be done with the saga.
He’s the renowned actor who brought Chief Miles O’Brien to life in The Next Generation and Deep Space Nine. Meaney spent 11 years in the franchise, so it’s shocking to know that he’s not attached to it and has no intentions of returning to Star Trek.
Why Colm Meaney won’t return to Star Trek
Colm Meaney’s Miles O’Brien started as a minor character who first appeared in The Next Generation. But in Deep Space Nine, he became a fan favorite, and for seven seasons, Miles endured brutal wars, accidents, and a prison sentence. In a 2024 interview with Sci-Fi & Fantasy Gazette, the actor was asked about his intention to return, and he said:
I think seven years in a space suit was enough, you know? I’m often asked that question and you never say never, of course, but first of all I wouldn’t fit in it anymore [Laughs] and…I remember people saying at the time when Voyager got going, ‘How many times can you go to the well? How many times can you revamp this?’
He did acknowledge the franchise’s enduring success and wished them well. However, Meaney also hammered in the point that no one would like to see an older version of his character, and reprising the role of Miles isn’t a top priority for him.
Could Deep Space Nine be the same without Colm Meaney?
The Next Generation and Voyager had a revival through shows like Picard and Prodigy, but Deep Space Nine hasn’t been treated the same way or celebrated as much as the other series. But it’s still highly regarded by Star Trek fans, who hope for a continuation, possibly one that would explore the consequences of the Dominion War.
But even if that were to materialize, and we knew the aftermath of our beloved crew, would it feel the same without Colm Meaney’s O’Brien? The actor himself seems at peace with his show’s legacy and even praised the saga’s positive influence.
His stance about being done with Star Trek seems to be clear, so holding on to hopes of seeing him again would be a lost cause. But maybe it’s for the better because, who knows, a new script, unfamiliar writers, and showrunners could very well ruin the legacy of a great character.
You can watch Star Trek: Deep Space Nine on Paramount+.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
