Star Trek Picard Actor Says 2 Characters Were Supposed To Have Game of Thrones-Like Incestuous Relationship

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Star Trek Picard Actor Says 2 Characters Were Supposed To Have Game of Thrones-Like Incestuous Relationship

Key Takeaways

  • Star Trek: Picard star Peyton List discussed an abandoned Game of Thrones-like storyline with brother-sister romance in the show.
  • Producers wavered on exploring an incestuous relationship between List’s character Narissa and her brother, Narek.
  • Despite strong chemistry between List and co-star Harry Treadaway, the potential storyline was ultimately abandoned in season 1.

As a lifelong Star Trek fan who has spent countless hours exploring the final frontier, I find it intriguing to delve into the behind-the-scenes stories of our favorite shows. The revelation that Peyton List’s character Narissa from Star Trek: Picard was initially meant to have an incestuous relationship with her brother Narek is nothing short of mind-boggling!

In the first season of Star Trek: Picard, actress Peyton List revealed an intended plotline that mirrored Game of Thrones from HBO. Unfortunately, the producers chose not to pursue the controversial narrative involving a mix of unsettling and sensual elements.

In Star Trek: Picard Season 1, Colonel Narissa, who had a dual role as Starfleet Lieutenant Rizzo, was portrayed. She was part of the Zhat Vash, a radical faction within the Romulan Tal Shiar secret police that detests all forms of synthetic life. In this series, she was responsible for the deaths of thousands of Borg drones and the cold-blooded murder of Soji’s twin sister, Dahj (Isa Briones). Seven of Nine (Jeri Ryan) confronted and overcame Narissa on the Borg Cube, resulting in her demise during the first season. During an interview about her time on Picard, List revealed a narrative that didn’t end up on screen.

The actress featured on The D-Con Chamber podcast revealed her character’s role in Star Trek: Picard, which had previously been associated with being a Romulan assassin. It was rumored that the producers were considering a complex sibling relationship between Narissa and Narek (played by Harry Treadaway), reminiscent of Jaime and Cersei Lannister from Game of Thrones. The actress was aware of this potential plotline during her audition. She expressed, “When I was auditioning and cast, they were suggesting a kind of Game of Thrones-style sibling relationship between us. However, when we began filming, there was uncertainty about whether it would actually happen. Harry Treadaway and I were often left wondering, ‘Should we play this out or not?’ The producers replied, ‘Somewhere in the middle… Because we might and we might not.’ This left us confused about how to approach our characters. We initially tried to portray it, but they eventually moved away from it completely. This has led some viewers to question our on-screen dynamics.”

Host Dominic Keating expressed curiosity about what made the producers or writers hesitant to air the intended plot, believing it would have been engaging. He described it as “both unsettling and captivating.” The panel agreed with Keating but mentioned they had to stick with what was given to them, stating, “It’s better to have something than nothing.” She also suggested that the producers didn’t have a firm vision for the Romulan siblings, leading them to develop the story as they went along. Instead of exploring an intriguing relationship between Narissa and Narek, they chose to emphasize Narek’s problematic courtship with Soji, portraying their connection as twisted and abusive. Akiva Goldsman, a producer, director, and writer for Star Trek: Picard, acknowledged that there was an initial script featuring a romantic angle between Narek and Narissa. He admitted to finding the concept appealing, but didn’t provide a reason for why they ultimately chose not to pursue it.

Goldsman said:

Initially penned as siblings and romantic partners, there remains a hint of this dynamic in their interactions. Admittedly, I was the one who found this concept intriguing, given my solitary upbringing. However, their chemistry is undeniable, making for an entertaining pair. And both are exceptional individuals.

In Star Trek: Picard, it’s clear that Keating and List were correct in their assessment that the incestuous relationship between Narek and Narissa was underplayed. This intriguing storyline had the potential to draw viewers, as many found themselves drawn into the intense sibling dynamics, with some even anticipating a romantic moment between the two during their tense scenes. However, despite the strong chemistry between List and Treadaway, this didn’t transpire. Narissa’s story ended in Season 1 when she passed away, leaving Narek’s storyline more open-ended. After surviving, Narek was placed under the supervision of United Federation of Planets officials on Coppelius. The series aired its third and final season in 2023.

Star Trek: Picard streams on Paramount Plus.

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2024-08-26 22:23