Casting The Star Trek: Enterprise Reboot

11. Admiral Forrest - Liam Neeson

Admiral Maxwell Forrest deserved better, dammit.

Played by Vaughan Armstrong, this character was one of the leading men in Starfleet and a fierce supported of Archer's. From the beginning, he made it well known that he was frustrated with Vulcan interference in the Warp 5 program, though he kept a civil tongue. Liam Neeson is an actor who radiates power in every scene, yet he can play light when he needs to. It is this ability to switch between the two that puts him here.

Forrest is the boss. The buck stops with him. So, the person playing the Admiral must have the authority to make that believable. Neeson has played a Jedi Knight and the King of Narnia. These two roles alone secure it for us, yet his full CV keeps adding traits that are perfect for the part. He is caring and patient in Love, Actually - an essential element of Forrest. He is determined in the Taken series (despite being a terrible father) and he is not afraid of going toe to toe with anyone.

The original Forrest was unceremoniously killed off in the fourth season of Enterprise thanks to a bombing. This Forrest would more likely find, diffuse and get rid of the bomb, while chasing the bad guys. He is our Admiral, through and through.