INTERVIEW: Ashlei Sharpe Chestnut on Playing Geordi La Forge's Daughter on Star Trek: Picard

Ashlei Sharpe Chestnut as Sidney La Forge in STAR TREK: PICARD. Image: Paramount+.

APRIL 5, 2023 - One of the new characters to appear on Star Trek: Picard this season is Sidney La Forge, daughter to a certain Star Trek: The Next Generation character who also appears in the back half of the season. Sidney is played by Ashlei Sharpe Chestnut whose credits include several Broadway shows, including Brother Wolf and A Doll’s House, Part 2 to television shows like Gotham and Homeland. I was able to catch up with Chestnut to chat about her Picard role.

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Daily Star Trek News: You play the daughter of a legacy character on Star Trek, Geordi LaForge. Did you have to do research or were you a Star Trek fan? Did you know what it meant to be Geordi’s daughter when you took the role?

Ashlei Sharpe Chestnut: I definitely knew what it meant.nGeordi LaForge has been my Instagram profile picture for years. So I definitely had context. The only thing that I didn't know when I first got this role was if I was going to be Michael Dorn’s daughter or if I was going to be Geordi La Forge or LeVar Burton's daughter. It was just like, this character is the daughter of a legacy character. And I'm just thinking logically, it could only be those two, you know?

DSTN: When you auditioned for the role, you weren't given a character name or anything like that?

ASC: No, I think they called her Bryce in the breakdown.

DSTN: You are living out a Star Trek fan’s dream by being able to sit at the helm of a starship. Can you describe what it’s like to come on to the bridge and sit at the helm and be able to live out that fantasy?

ASC: It's wild. I remember when I first stepped on the bridge, just having goosebumps. And just taking a moment just to breathe in and to really sit and be present in this moment. Because like you said, this is a fan's dream, you know? And then being able to be at the console, hit the keys and the buttons, you know? Going to warp, listening to them tell me engage, it's been so much fun!

DSTN: About midway through the season, you see your doppelgänger dead in sickbay How did that change Sydney? And how does that change the way you approach the character?

ASC: I think prior to the whole Changeling incident, like obviously, you know, Sidney is aware of the dangers that out here and in space, if you will, but I think her seeing this Changeling, who is her doppelgänger, like you just said, it changed things for her in the sense that there is imminent danger.

You always need to be aware of what's happening but also…after that moment, she really…I think you can see this with her fight sequences she's not playing around anymore. I think in the beginning, she's eager, you know. You see her fangirl on the moment with Riker and Picard. But after that, she's like, “No, these are my peers. Let me step into my own and really not only show people what I have, but like, I have to care for myself.

I think there's a clear shift after that Changeling incident. Where I think she takes things a little bit more seriously on the ship.

DSTN: And did you know when you were hired that you were going to be playing your Changeling self as well?

ASC: No. They held on to these scripts so tightly. I was struggling to get advanced scripts. But, I mean, I get it. Like, you don't want anything to leak. But you know, I had no context. Honestly, when I first signed up for the show, I only was told I was going to be in like two or three episodes, but they just kept writing me in, I guess.

DSTN: Did that happen after they saw what you were capable of? I mean, you've done a lot in your career. You've done Broadway and all sorts of things. So I'm sure they knew what you were capable of. But after they saw your performance and how your performance could evolve, is that when they started adding more scenes for you?

ASC: I mean, I'd like to think so for my ego, that they just saw me and were like, oh my god, we need her and everything. Or maybe they just knew the whole time but only told me a few episodes. I'm not sure but that initial casting breakdown only said like two to three episodes.

DSTN: Right after you saw yourself dead your hair changed. Is there a correlation there?

ASC: Yeah. I mean, I kind of wanted to change it anyway, from seeing myself in episode one with that bob. I just kind of wanted to do something different. And plot-wise. I think the writers also found this moment would have been the perfect moment. Because obviously, you know, Sidney doesn't want to see herself like this again. It's when she looks into the mirror she's going to be seeing a dead Changeling in this bob instead of herself. I asked Terry [Matalas] if I could have a hair change, and he obliged. And the rest is history.

DSTN: In a recent episode, Jack Crusher takes over your body with his mutant powers. How will that affect Sidney’s relationship with him going forward, if at all?

ASC: I mean, anyone can infer, if a potential significant other can read your mind, how would that make you feel? But I think we'll get to see. Well, we'll definitely get to see a little bit more into those powers that Jack possesses.

DSTN: It has often been said that the Star Trek: The Next Generation cast is like a family. Do you feel like you’re a part of that family now?

ASC: Absolutely. Yeah. Hands down. The way they've welcomed me…has been a joy. [Working with them] definitely was thrilling. I mean, again, like I was saying, when I first stepped on the bridge, I had goosebumps. When I met them for the first time, I'm sitting here trying to hold it together and not fangirl, you know, and I think after a certain point, after a couple of episodes, and I was like, “Okay, you know, these are my peers.” I think they're cool. They've been so nice. It's just been a really lovely experience.

I've talked about this before, but LeVar and Mica [Burton], they invited me to their house for Thanksgiving, They didn't have to do that. So I just think it's a testament to how kind these people are on and off the screen. Yes, we're on set. We're family. We're having a good time. But it's also reflective of their kindness and generosity outside of filming.

DSTN: There have been theories that a spin-off is in the works which might involve Sidney. If they called you tomorrow and said, “Ashlei, we'd really love a spin-off and we'd love you to be a part of it.” What would your answer be?

ASC: Yes. When are we shooting? I’d jump at the chance to reunite with the Star Trek family in a heartbeat. I think the beauty of what Terry Matalas and the writers and producers and literally everyone involved, what they have been able to create this season has been so lovely. I can only imagine how in the future with #StarTrekLegacy, How great it would be, you know?

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You can catch the further adventures of the Star Trek: The Next Generation crew, as well as follow Sidney La Forge, played by Ashlei Sharpe Chestnut, on Paramount+. If you’re not a subscriber, now’s a good time to do it. Follow the link below and input the coupon code PICARD at checkout for a free month. Offer expires 4/30/2023.