View Full Version : Charles Esten Looks Back on "Star Trek: TNG"


JamesG
06-15-2013, 01:26 AM
Memories From the Set: "Nashville's" Charles Esten Recalls His Stint on "Star Trek: The Next Generation"
by Kimberly Roots
June 14, 2013


Who knew all it would take was a five o’clock shadow and a low-slung guitar to take Charles Esten from “Hey, it’s that guy!” to “Ooh, it’s that guy!”?

In his one season as "Nashville‘s" soulful, sometimes sober Deacon Claybourne, Esten has earned heaps of acclaim and bunches of fans. But the breakout role is hardly his first. Or second. Or 20th.



In fact, Esten has worked steadily since 1993, often on TV’s biggest hits but almost never for more than a handful of episodes.

“I got these small roles on great, iconic shows that let me get my feet wet, let me learn so much,” he recalls, laughing. “I was in over my head in every single one of them, but somehow I got the role and didn’t ruin it too badly.”

At TVLine’s request, Esten offered up behind-the-scenes insights on several of his pre-"Nashville" performances.







"Star Trek: The Next Generation":

The same year as his "Cheers" job, Esten shot an episode of "Star Trek: The Next Generation". But he was no easily expendable Away Team member: Esten played a Klingon named Divok on hand as Worf practiced an ancient ritual.

“It was a very emotional scene that I was in over my head pulling off. But I managed to give enough there and learned. I got more out of that than they ever got out of me.”

He'd later return to the franchise with a role in a 1996 episode of "Star Trek: Voyager".

http://tvline.com/2013/06/14/charles-esten-nashville-deacon-claybourne-set/#!1/whatlearn_esten_cheers/