Star Trek Actor’s Dream Role Would Be In A Reboot Of The Next Generation

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds guest star Cillian O'Sullivan's dream role would be a main character in a Star Trek: The Next Generation reboot. O'Sullivan plays Dr. Roger Korby, the new love interest of Nurse Christine Chapel (Jess Bush) in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. Korby is also a legacy character who takes a villainous turn in Star Trek: The Original Series.

In an exclusive interview with ScreenRant's John Orquiola about playing Dr. Roger Korby in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Cillian O'Sullivan described himself as a "massive" Star Trek fan who grew up loving Star Trek: The Next Generation. Noting that he didn't expect to play Korby in Star Trek until it happened, O'Sullivan revealed who from TNG would be his dream role. Read Cillian's quote below:

Cillian O'Sullivan: "Maybe, and maybe this would be a tragedy if they did, but if they ever remade Star Trek: The Next Generation, I think I grow a pretty epic beard. That's all I'm saying. And I do a crackin' American accent."

Cillian O'Sullivan's Star Trek Dream Role Is Commander Riker In A Star Trek: The Next Generation Reboot

Will TNG Ever Get Rebooted?

Of course, Cillian O'Sullivan's Star Trek: The Next Generation dream role is Commander William T. Riker. Jonathan Frakes portrayed Riker in all seven seasons of TNG, four TNG movies, and Star Trek: Picard. In addition, Frakes brought Riker to Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Star Trek: Voyager, Star Trek: Enterprise, and Star Trek: Lower Decks, setting the record for appearing in the most Star Trek series as his iconic character.

Star Trek: The Next Generation has not been rebooted, and it's unclear if that will ever happen. Star Trek's reboots have centered around new versions of Captain James T. Kirk and his Starship Enterprise. Instead, Star Trek: The Next Generation's cast reunited to critical and audience acclaim in Star Trek: Picard season 3. If TNG ever does get rebooted, tragedy or not, Cillian O'Sullivan has already thrown his name in the hat as the new Commander Riker.

Our Take On Cillian O'Sullivan Playing Riker In A Star Trek: The Next Generation Reboot

Jonathan Frakes Would Likely Give His Blessing

Cillian O'Sullivan has the physical stature, charisma, and acting chops to play Commander Will Riker. Like Jonathan Frakes, O'Sullivan is tall, dashing, a tad roguish, can play a love interest, and he would be willing to grow Riker's trademark beard. O'Sullivan would also play Riker as an American rather than reinvent Will as an Irishman as he has Dr. Roger Korby in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.

Jonathan Frakes also became a celebrated director, and he's considered the favorite director of Star Trek's various casts. Frakes directed Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' comedy crossover with Star Trek: Lower Decks, and he helmed Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 3's holodeck murder mystery, "A Space Adventure Hour."

Unfortunately, Cillian O'Sullivan hasn't had the opportunity to be directed by Frakes on Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, but Jonathan would likely give Cillian his blessing if his dream role as Commander Riker ever comes to be.