The evolution of seaQuest through vintage print media continues with the candid insights of show creator Rockne S. O’Bannon, who infamously jumped ship after submitting the pilot script. While the SQV will feature several of O’Bannon’s accounts in future posts, this cover story from Starburst #187 is as good a place as any to chart the show’s troubled course with a great interview by Joe Nazzaro.
At the time of publishing (March 1994) seaQuest had been inexplicably pulled from the schedules in the UK, only serving to further alienate its audience . Thankfully, the coverage here meant the show didn’t disappear off the radar completely and those wishing to catch upon episodes would benefit from the thin critique of David Bassom’s episode guide until the remainder of the first season aired…
ML
While we wish everybody a Happy New Year from the SQV, we sail into 2019 with some sad news regarding the loss of a popular recurring cast member and a great genre star in his own right –
From The Mirror;
British actor William Morgan Sheppard has died at the age of 86.
The star of Star Trek, Dr Who and Mad Men died on Sunday January 6 in Los Angeles, California.
He leaves behind an actor son Mark Sheppard, with who he starred in several productions, including the TV series NCIS and Doctor Who’s The Impossible Astronaut, where they played different aged versions of the same character.
William was born in London in 1932 and graduated from RADA in 1958.
He enjoyed 12 years as associate artist with the Royal Shakespeare Company and appeared in Broadway productions of Marat/Sade and Sherlock Holmes.
His film career began in the 1960s with Strongroom, Tell Me Lies and The Roses Of Eyam, before progressing to Hawk The Slayer, The Elephant Man and The Sea Wolves in the 1980s.
William also appeared in Wild At Heart, Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country and 2006’s The Prestige, where he played Merrit.
His last film role was as Wil in 2016’s Last Man Club, which followed an uncredited appearance in 2009’s Star Trek and 2008’s Over Her Dead Body.
William is survived by his wife and children.
“He was a really nice guy. All of those scenes were done live, with him set up off set with a camera feeding the video projector…” – Fred Tepper
ML
