Every Actor Who Appeared in Both The Orville and Star Trek

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Initially, The Orville emerged as a sci-fi comedy with strong influences from Star Trek and evident affection for the franchise. Over time, it morphed into an emotional homage to Star Trek, earning its place as a worthy continuation. Launched by Seth MacFarlane (renowned for his work on Family Guy, American Dad, and Ted) in 2017, The Orville skillfully combines action, drama, and philosophical elements that resonate with Star Trek enthusiasts while retaining its distinct comedic flavor, echoing the early days of Star Trek: The Original Series.

Not only do these shows share similar themes and structure, but several actors have transitioned from one to another. This transfer isn’t limited to brief, unmissable appearances; some have taken on recurring roles on The Orville, even after they were previously featured on Star Trek. Among them are well-known Star Trek veterans, as well as lesser-known individuals with intriguing behind-the-scenes connections or background roles.

From longstanding Trek icons to hidden guest stars, these actors boldly went… to The Orville.

1) Seth MacFarlane

Seth MacFarlane is deeply embedded in the essence of The Orville, playing and creating the character of Captain Ed Mercer, a disheartened space explorer for the Planetary Union. However, it’s important to note that MacFarlane has been weaving elements of Star Trek into his work for quite some time, often incorporating humorous references in his animation projects, such as the iconic Captain Kirk skit on Family Guy. Furthermore, fans might be intrigued to discover that he even made a few minor, significant appearances within the Star Trek canon.

McFarlane made appearances in two episodes of “Star Trek: Enterprise” – initially in 2004, playing an engineer who was then unnamed in the episode titled “The Forgotten.” A year later, he reappeared and was officially credited as ‘Ensign Rivers’ in the episode “Affliction.” Although his role in Star Trek was minor, it significantly impacted him. Notably, many elements of “Star Trek” storytelling can be found in “The Orville,” a show that McFarlane himself attributes to the inspiration he gained from his experience on “Enterprise.

2) Robert Picardo

To Star Trek: Voyager enthusiasts, he is famously recognized as the witty Emergency Medical Hologram (EMH), but Robert Picardo has gained widespread recognition throughout the sci-fi genre. He’s also made appearances in both Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis. On The Orville, he features in two episodes playing Ildis Kitan, Alara Kitan’s strict father. Firstly, this role was seen in the season one episode “Firestorm.” He reappears in the Season 2 episode “Home,” where he joins other Star Trek veterans such as John Billingsley, Molly Hagan, Penny Johnson Jerald, Scott Grimes, and Jason Alexander (more on them later), transforming the episode into a spontaneous Star Trek gathering!

In simple terms, Picardo’s roles in both shows demonstrate his versatility, as he transitions from portraying a sarcastic, efficient hologram character to an authoritative alien father figure. His appearance on The Orville could be seen as a tribute to Star Trek fans, showcasing the series’ appreciation and acknowledgement of its origins.

3) John Billingsley

Aficionados of “Star Trek: Enterprise” are likely familiar with John Billingsley portraying Dr. Phlox, the well-known Denobulan chief medical officer. Yet in “The Orville,” Billingsley demonstrated his versatility as an actor, creating a completely distinct character as Cambis Borrian. This role contrasted sharply with his previous one, and he joined other Star Trek veterans like Robert Picardo in the episode titled “Home.” When Alara Kitan, The Orville’s Chief of Security, returns to her home planet Xelaya, she crosses paths with Cambis, a deeply mourning father who lost his son under circumstances believed to be connected to Alara’s father Ildis (played by Robert Picardo).

Billingsley’s captivating and potent portrayal of Cambis, driven by grief to seek revenge on Ildis, added an exciting and memorable short appearance that delighted long-term fans of Star Trek: Enterprise. He is still one of the most cherished actors to have ventured between universes. Similarly, Molly Hagan, known for her role as a Vorta in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine’s “The Jem’Hadar” episode, took on the part of Alara’s mother Drenala Kitan in this episode as well.

4) Marina Sirtis

Deanna Troi, portrayed by Marina Sirtis, is a significant character in the Star Trek universe, appearing across various series such as Star Trek: Voyager, Enterprise, Picard, and even Lower Decks. In The Orville’s Season 2 episode “Sanctuary,” directed by her fellow TNG actor Johnathon Frakes, she stepped into a teaching role in an alternate timeline, offering a brief but impactful scene that brought joy to fans of The Next Generation.

Initially, Frakes and MacFarlane were on a quest to find the perfect actor for the teacher role on their ship, but they couldn’t seem to find anyone suitable. Eventually, it was Frakes who suggested giving the role to Sirtis, and astonishingly, she showed up on set just 48 hours later! Sirtis’ arrival was significant because many other Star Trek actors had also joined the cast, including Penny Johnson Jerald, Scott Grimes, F. Murray Abraham, and Tony Todd. This made “Sanctuary” another exceptional episode for Star Trek veterans, serving as a reunion of sorts.

5) Tim Russ

Tim Russ, famously recognized as Tuvok from Star Trek: Voyager, appeared in an episode of The Orville’s second season titled “Lasting Impressions.” In this role, he portrayed Dr. Sherman, a human historian with a passion for 21st-century history (which doesn’t make us feel too ancient…). His character was tasked with examining a newly discovered time capsule. Although the scene was short-lived, it provided an enjoyable nod to Trek fans, as Russ showcased his characteristic on-screen charisma, even without his signature pointed ears.

In an interaction with the media outlet, TrekMovie, Russ shared his delight about being involved in the project, collaborating with individuals like MacFarlane who appeared to have a profound affection for Star Trek and their creative approach with The Orville series. His inclusion in the cast furthered The Orville’s pattern of welcoming Star Trek veterans, adding layers of history and significance to its expanding universe.

6) Penny Johnson Jerald

Penny Johnson Jerald is most famously recognized for portraying Dr. Claire Finn, the ship’s doctor and mother of two on The Orville. However, fans of Star Trek might recall her frequent appearances on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine as Kasidy Yates – a freighter captain who becomes Captain Benjamin Sisko’s romantic interest. The pair ultimately marry and have a child together, yet their story doesn’t conclude definitively, as we don’t witness if Captain Sisko reunites with her following the final episode “What You Leave Behind.

Jerald has additional Star Trek credits, having first appeared as Dobara in the “Homeward” episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation in 1993. Although she plays a more prominent role on The Orville, Jerald’s appearances on Deep Space Nine enhance her performance with an added layer of historical significance. She is a seldom seen actor who left a lasting impact in both franchises through her well-rounded and long-running characters. Notably, the character Finn was specifically written by MacFarlane with Jerald in mind. Jerald appeared in both “Home” and “Sanctuary,” working alongside other Star Trek actors.

7) F. Murray Abraham

In 1998’s “Star Trek: Insurrection,” F. Murray Abraham made his first appearance in the Star Trek universe, portraying the antagonist Ru’afo, a powerful Son’a leader aiming to eliminate the tranquil Ba’ku race for control of their rejuvenating planet. The Enterprise team is taken aback when they uncover that Starfleet Command has been secretly collaborating with the Son’a, as both parties seek to exploit the planet’s regenerative powers.

In the two series, keen-eyed viewers might have noticed a quick cameo of Abraham as the Xelayan council chair in Season 2’s highly acclaimed episode directed by Johnathan Frakes, titled “Sanctuary” – a Star Trek extravaganza. With an abundance of Star Trek stars gracing the screen in that single episode, it wouldn’t be surprising if smaller roles were overlooked. However, Abraham skillfully ensured that his solitary appearance on The Orville left an indelible impression!

8) Jason Alexander

In his renowned role on Seinfeld and his deep-rooted passion for Star Trek, it’s easy to imagine that Jason Alexander cherished the moment when he was invited to play the alien spokesperson Kurros in a Season 5 episode of Voyager titled “Think Tank”. Given his enthusiasm for all things Star Trek, it’s no wonder he eagerly seized the opportunity to deepen his connection with the franchise!

In Season 2 of The Orville, he assumed the position previously held by Ralph Garman as the ship’s reptilian bartender named Olix. Garman had to leave the show due to his claustrophobia and difficulty managing heavy prosthetics. Alexander was featured in “Home,” where he starred alongside several other Star Trek veterans mentioned in our list.

9) Tony Todd

Tony Todd is most famously recognized among Star Trek fans for his roles as Kurn, the younger brother of Klingon Security Officer Worf, which he played in both “Star Trek: The Next Generation” and “Deep Space Nine.” Additionally, he portrayed an older version of Captain Benjamin Sisko’s son Jake Sisko in the episode “The Visitor,” and made an appearance (albeit under heavy latex!) as an Alpha-Hirogen Hunter in “Star Trek: Voyager.

As a devoted cinema enthusiast, I found myself joining forces with F. Murray Abraham and other talented actors in “The Orville’s” captivating episode titled “Sanctuary.” This particular installment stands out for its impressive roster of Star Trek veterans, ensuring a journey you can trust. But what truly sets “Sanctuary” apart is its masterful exploration of character development. It doesn’t just manage to pull off this deeper dive into characters; it excels at it, making for an episode that I found particularly engaging and thought-provoking.

10) Scott Grimes

Known primarily for voicing Steve Smith in American Dad, Scott Grimes’ role in Star Trek might not stand out to many, as most of his scenes as ‘Eric’, a friend of Wesley Crusher, from the Star Trek: The Next Generation Season 3 episode “Evolution”, were ultimately removed. Nevertheless, he can be spotted fleetingly in certain background shots during that episode, thus justifying his inclusion on our list.

Grimes, who had previously collaborated with MacFarlane on “American Dad”, eventually landed the role as Captain Mercer’s trusted buddy Malloy and the somewhat immature helmsman on “The Orville”. He can be seen in significant Star Trek-inspired episodes of “The Orville”, namely “Home” and “Sanctuary”.

11) Brian George

In addition to starring in popular shows like “Seinfeld,” “The Big Bang Theory,” and “The Expanse,” this actor also took on roles in “Deep Space Nine” and “Star Trek: Voyager.” Specifically, he played the father of Julian Bashir in “Deep Space Nine,” and appeared as O’Zaal in the seventh season episode “Drive” of “Star Trek: Voyager.

In the series “The Orville,” he makes his debut in the initial episode, portraying Aronov – the head of Epsilon Science Station that faces peril from the Krill. During a crucial political scene, he delivers an intense performance. Subsequently, he reappears in various episodes throughout the show.

12) Ron Canada

Often seen in science fiction series, actor Ron Canada made appearances on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine portraying a Klingon Advocate, on Voyager taking the role of a waste supervisor, and on The Next Generation as a judge.

Or, more concisely:
Ron Canada, a frequent sci-fi guest star, played various roles such as a Klingon Advocate on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, a waste controller on Voyager, and a judge on The Next Generation.

In “The Orville,” he assumed the role of Admiral Tucker – a significant character who featured prominently in some of the series’ politically-driven narratives. The involvement of Canadian actors adds authenticity to “The Orville” by aligning it with the ‘sci-fi diplomacy’ genre, which Star Trek originated, thereby lending credibility to its intergalactic political discourse.

13) John Fleck

The Next Generation’ and later portrayed the character Silik from the Suliban tribe in ‘Star Trek: Enterprise’.

In “The Orville,” despite being heavily disguised with numerous layers of makeup, he takes on the role of the Krill Ambassador K.T.Z. during the season 2 episode titled “Blood of Patriots.

14) Steven Culp

Steven Culp has a few unacknowledged roles within the Star Trek universe, including Commander Martin Madden, who was meant to replace Will Riker (in an unfortunate scene that didn’t make it into Star Trek: Nemesis). Additionally, he played MACO Major Hayes during Season 3 of Star Trek: Enterprise.

He went on to play Willks, a publicity officer in The Orville Season 1 episode “Majority Rule.”

15) Brian Thompson

Brian Thompson is primarily recognized for his portrayal as an extraterrestrial bounty hunter on “The X-Files.” Beyond this, he has made numerous appearances in the “Star Trek” universe, including playing Klingons across multiple episodes and films. In “Deep Space Nine,” he takes on the role of a Jem’Hadar soldier. He is also featured as Admiral Valdore in three episodes of “Enterprise.” Moreover, Thompson plays Drogen, a resident of an unnamed moon, in one of the more serious episodes of “The Orville,” titled “Into The Fold.

Currently, you can watch “The Orville” on both Hulu and Disney+. For fans of the original Star Trek series and Enterprise, they’re accessible on Paramount+.

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2025-08-11 21:24