Star Trek: 10 Things You Didn't Know About Gul Dukat

10. Marc Alaimo Was Not The First Choice

In a series with as much legacy as Star Trek, casting is essential to establish the right character, both in terms of appearance and tone. A figure as imposing as Gul Dukat is no exception, and although we couldn't dream of anybody else's neck sporting all those ridges, it turns out that Marc Alaimo wasn't the first choice to play the part.

The original audition sheet for the character included actors Mark Rolston, Eric Allen Kramer, Richard Moll, and Stephen Lee, although it would be Michael McRae who first took the role. However, four days into filming it became clear that McRae had been miscast, so producers turned to Alaimo, who had Cardassian experience as Macet in TNG, as well as Romulan Tebok.

With his prolific background in theatre, Alaimo's foreboding yet charming figure was the perfect fit for Dukat, and the character who would both perplex and terrorise the crew of DS9 had truly found his face.

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