Star Trek legend Brent Spiner has said that he won't return to play Data again - after his ionic character was killed off at the end of Star Trek: Picard's first season.

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Spiner, who first played the character on Star Trek: the Next Generation in 1987, said that he wouldn't consider the idea of going back and playing the character again, since he feels he can no longer physically convince as the un-ageing android.

Speaking to TV Guide, he said, "I wouldn't really entertain the idea of doing it again because I just don't think it would be realistic.

"So it seemed right to me to give him this more gentle sendoff, and it seemed right to me in the context of the entire season of Picard and what Picard himself had been experiencing because of the loss of Data.

"I think it allows him to feel okay about it too. So it seemed like the right thing to do."

Star Trek: Picard
Trae Patton/CBS

But although Data won't be returning in the next series, this doesn't mean Spiner's time on Star Trek: Picard is over - he also played another role, Alton Soong on the show.

And Spiner said he'd love to return as that character - who is the son of Data's creator, Dr. Noonien Soong.

When asked about making a further appearance as Alton, Spiner said, "Absolutely. I love working with all of the people on the show. The new cast is fantastic.

"Obviously, to still be working with Patrick is a dream. Now there's a character that could conceivably go on and continue, so of course I'd love to."

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Star Trek: Picard is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video – check out what else is on with our TV Guide.

Authors

Patrick Cremona, RadioTimes.com's senior film writer looking at the camera and smiling
Patrick CremonaSenior Film Writer

Patrick Cremona is the Senior Film Writer at Radio Times, and looks after all the latest film releases both in cinemas and on streaming. He has been with the website since October 2019, and in that time has interviewed a host of big name stars and reviewed a diverse range of movies.

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