10 Amazing Behind-The-Scenes Secrets From Star Trek: The Next Generation
8. Asleep On The Job
What actors go through to shoot a serialised TV show like Star Trek: The Next Generation could be an article itself. 178 episodes is an astonishing output across just 7 years, with filming regularly eating up 16-18 hour days as part of a gruelling, demanding schedule. Indeed, Kate Mulgrew partly got the role of Kathryn Janeway because the actor originally cast didn't fully grasp this and quit on set after two days.
Case in point, if you're watching a scene in the Ready Room between Picard and Riker then, chances are, this was filmed at around 2am when the rest of the cast had finished for the day. Frakes and Stewart having the most prominent roles, their individual scenes would always be scheduled.
However, one interesting story that's since emerged, is that LeVar Burton used to take advantage of wearing his Visor to get the occasional catnap on set. With his role in the first season seeing him largely on the bridge and with very little dialogue, he would often shut his eyes to get a few minutes of sleep knowing he'd only be in the background of the shot.
Ironically, LeVar now actually lends his voice to the Calm app. Where he tells stories about space exploration designed to help you drift off to sleep.