Enterprise

Star Trek: The Magazine (August 2001) Enterprise Cast Pictures

(June 19, 2001) From Star Trek Communicator #133

NEWS FLASH! Meet the Captain!

As this issue was literally ON the presses, the studio confirmed weeks of speculation that actor Scott Bakula had indeed been signed to portray the fifth Star Trek series lead, Captain Jonathan Archer.

With the Golden Globe winner and multiple Emmy nominee on board, the series' title was also confirmed as simply Enterprise, according to the statement by Garry Hart, president of the Network Television Division of the Paramount Television Group.

The news about Bakula--best known for his turn as the time-hopping Dr. Sam Beckett in the beloved series Quantum Leap--came May 11, the Friday before cameras were set to roll on Monday. The solid casting had already been favorably received in the Hollywood trade papers, adding to the positive buzz that is already surrounding the new series.

Archer is described as "a physical and intensely curious captain with a bold personality." Although he has "a strong sense of duty," he is "a bit of a renegade and is not afraid to question orders or even disobey them if he feels in his gut that he is right."

"Obviously, I love the genre and am a long-time fan of Star Trek," Bakula comments. I am also thrilled to be working on a TV series again with (Paramount executives) Kerry McCluggage and Garry Hart, a relationship that dates back to 1988 with Quantum Leap.'

We couldn't be happier," says co-creator and executive producer Rick Berman, "Scott personifies the charm and intelligence that the role calls for."

For the actor, the role also brings a newly extended deal with Paramount Network Television. Along with his partner Tom Spiroff, Bakula will continue to develop projects that will encompass series, telefilms, features and specials.

Aside from his breakout role, the accomplished actor appeared in the 1999 Oscar-winning Best Picture American Beauty and recently concluded filming the New Line Cinema feature film Life As A House, directed and co-produced by Academy Award-winner Irwin Winkler.

Look for much more in-depth coverage of the new Enterprise cast, their characters and starship in the next Communicator issue!