10 Amazing Behind-The-Scenes Secrets From Star Trek: The Next Generation

It's no secret that relationships between the cast of the original series, the show's producers, and those at the network were both incredibly complicated and ultimately strained. Pretty much everyone connected to the show has spoken, at one time or another, about disagreements behind the scenes and the picture painted is not a particularly harmonious one.

While fan support and cinematic money-spinners kept those involved together for decades after the show's run, it was often to the backdrop of internal conflict and wranglings over contracts and royalties. Roddenberry himself, with his health deteriorating, was eventually barred from working with the core cast on the later movies.

However on the set of the Next Generation, despite considerable problems in the writer's room, Roddenberry developed a paternal relationship with virtually every member of the cast. Taking time between filming to encourage them to think of the world they were working in, and develop their characters as they saw fit from there.

This was especially true with Jonathan Frakes, with whom Roddenberry spent a great deal of time. Encouraging him specifically to always keep a "Gary Cooper glint" in his eye when he was in the role.