Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, April 19, 1994 TAG: 9404190118
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: EXTRA-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Ian Spelling
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
``I've not followed any of the `Trek' series but have seen episodes now and again,'' Casey says by phone from his Los Angeles home. ``I did `The Maquis' because I wanted to work with Avery Brooks, whom I admire as an actor.''
Though he had never met Brooks, Casey had seen his work on the TV series ``Spenser: For Hire'' and its spinoff ``A Man Called Hawk.''
``I'd also seen him do his [one-man] play, `Paul Robeson,' and he was magnificent.''
In the ``Maquis'' episodes, airing the weeks of April 25 and May 2, Casey plays Lt. Cmdr. Cal Hudson, whose lifelong friendship with Sisko (Brooks) becomes endangered.
Hudson, the Starfleet attache to Federation colonies within the newly established Demilitarized Zone, believes Cardassia poses an immense threat to the colonies. Soon it is revealed that Hudson has broken Federation ranks and, with several colonists, formed a rebel group - called the Maquis - of which he is the leader.
Sisko gives his friend every opportunity to abandon his effort, but Hudson refuses. Ultimately, Sisko is forced to do what he feels is necessary to avert a war.
``The episodes are really about whether or not the integrity of their friendship will be put asunder by a circumstance neither man wants but one in which each man believes he's right,'' Casey explains.
``It's like the situation in Bosnia. It's bestial, mean and horrendous because both sides think they're right.''
In recent weeks, episodes of ``DS9'' and ``Next Generation'' have been used to introduce elements of the new ``Star Trek'' series ``Voyager,'' which will debut in January. Rick Berman, executive producer of ``Next Gen,'' ``DS9'' and ``Voyager,'' has said that the Maquis and their ship will be vital to the new series.
Though Casey has heard rumors, he says he doesn't know any details about ``Voyager.''
``I do know the Maquis will be part of `Voyager,' but they'll also deal with the Maquis on a [late May] episode of `Next Generation,''' he says. ``So they're planting seeds for `Voyager,' but I don't know more than that.''
``Deep Space Nine'' is not Casey's first journey into the world of science fiction. Genre fans will remember him from ``The Man Who Fell to Earth'' (1976) and ``Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure'' (1989).
Other credits include ``Never Say Never Again'' (1983), ``Another 48 HRS'' (1990) and ``The Cemetery Club'' (1992).
Born in West Virginia and reared in Ohio, Casey moved to California in the 1960s to pursue a career in acting. He studied with Jeff Corey (who was also Leonard Nimoy's acting guru) and quickly found roles in television and film projects.
Today Casey continues to work in both mediums. Next on his schedule are parts in John Carpenter's horror film ``In the Mouth of Madness'' and Charles Burnett's police drama, ``The Glass Shield.''
And what if Berman were to invite him to join the ``Voyager'' cast?
``I had a wonderful time doing `DS9,''' Casey says. ``The people were very accommodating and nice.
``Also, `Star Trek' is an interesting challenge for an actor because it's very stylized. It has a very specific look, sound and dialogue.
``I found it rather fascinating to deal with all of that within the episode's story, and would certainly consider any offer to participate in `Voyager.'''
Con calendar
nAnglicon 7 at the Quality Inn in Sea Tac, Wash., April 29-May 1. (Call 206-745-2700.)
nMagic Carpet Con II at the Holiday Inn in Dalton, Ga., featuring C.J. Cherryh, April 29-May 1. (706-965-8225)
nCreation at the Skyline Hotel in Toronto, featuring Leonard Nimoy (April 30) and Nichelle Nichols (May 1). (April 30-May 1 only; 818-409-0960)
Trek alert
If you have Trek news or trivia to share - or if you have questions relating to ``Star Trek'' - write to Ian Spelling, in care of the Features Department, Roanoke Times & World-News, P.O. Box 2491, Roanoke, Va. 24010-2491. Be sure to enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope if you would like a reply.
by CNB