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Robert Duncan McNeill Joins STO Cast

Following Tuesday's announcement of Lisa LoCicero, Cryptic announced the recruitment of Robert Duncan McNeill, recast as Tom Paris for the first time in fourteen years.

By Cehus Thu 16 Apr, 2015 10:00 PM - Last Updated: Sun 03 Apr, 2016 11:19 PM
Following Tuesday's announcement of Lisa LoCicero, Cryptic announced the recruitment of Robert Duncan McNeill, recast as Tom Paris for the first time in fourteen years.
[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]

Mr. McNeill's addition makes the sixth series regular to do voice over work for Star Trek Online, with only Kate Mulgrew, Robert Beltran and Roxann Dawson who've yet to reprise their roles from Star Trek: Voyager.

First guest-starring in Quantum Break and then in Star Trek as Cadet Nick Locarno in TNG's "The First Duty", McNeill has an even longer filmography with the stage; including Stephen Sondheim's Into the Woods and Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet in 1993 - a widely-acclaimed performance where he played one of the star-crossed lovers, garnering a DramaLogue Best Actor Award in the process.

Since the end of Voyager (where he directed four episodes), McNeill has spent an increasing amount of time behind the camera in the producer’s and director’s chairs. He's has been credited on working on many television series including Chuck; where he served in a variety of roles from it's first to last season including Executive Producer, Director, Supervising Producer and even a cameo. Beyond the success of Chuck, Voyager’s famous former helmsmen has directed many other hit American TV shows including The Mentalist, V, Dead Like Me and episodes of Enterprise in 2003.

According to Cryptic's announcement, players will be meeting the quintessential Tom Paris, who's still "..rising and falling through the ranks". McNeill is set to appear in Star Trek Online's featured episodes starting Tuesday, April 21st.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF McNEILL'S ADDITION IN STO?
TELL US IN THE COMMENTS BELOW!


WRITTEN BY
CEHUS
EDITED BY McCLINTOCK - UFP.CLINT@HACARI.COM
10 Comments
Thu 16 Apr, 2015 11:16 PM
I have enjoyed the characters that they have brought back, but have to say that this is one of the best yet. Woot! Can't wait to see the starship that he's commanding.
Fri 17 Apr, 2015 2:09 AM
I have enjoyed the characters that they have brought back, but have to say that this is one of the best yet. Woot! Can't wait to see the starship that he's commanding.
I wonder how many devs lost their jobs so we could hear Paris talk. Sad Granted Voyager voice actors are probably cheap, but still it makes me wonder.
Fri 17 Apr, 2015 2:18 AM
I don't think any of them lost their job due to getting voice actors for the game. In the long run, I can only see them attracting more players because of it.
Fri 17 Apr, 2015 2:23 AM
I don't think any of them lost their job due to getting voice actors for the game. In the long run, I can only see them attracting more players because of it.
I'd agree with you Maz.

There's probably a separate production and staffing budget, to prevent one area from taking away from another. That said, if all these voice actors cost someone's job, it would indeed be sad.
Fri 17 Apr, 2015 9:47 AM
I'd agree with you Maz.

There's probably a separate production and staffing budget, to prevent one area from taking away from another. That said, if all these voice actors cost someone's job, it would indeed be sad.
I completely agree.
Fri 17 Apr, 2015 12:16 PM
I think at the end of the day there's a fair balance. The F2P model is a vastly different beast than the Sub model and with a game like STO, it's not only about getting people to play your game, but to also have them spend money on "bells and whistles". And to expand on my comment, I the addition of voice acting to the game has only enriched the experience ten folds and made new players poor into the game to experience it. Honestly, I would say a dev's job is more set to the amount of money players spend in the game for these bells and whistles rather than the voice acting.

We love our veteran Star Trek actor alumni and I think it just excites that passion every time they bring someone new to the game... and seeing the way they are going about it... I would't be surprised to see other old Voyager faces returning as well. Personally, I loved Tom Paris and Harry Kim because of their character contrast with each other and their growth as characters from season one to the last episode and more specifically the redemption story of Tom Paris.
Fri 17 Apr, 2015 9:45 PM
Don't forget that his appearance fees were probably approved and paid long before any of the layoffs occurred. Most ADR is recorded months (if not years) in advance of release.
Fri 17 Apr, 2015 11:49 PM
Has no one pointed out that he looks terrible worst artwork so far :emoticon_ShiftyEyes
Sat 18 Apr, 2015 12:21 AM
Has no one pointed out that he looks terrible worst artwork so far :emoticon_ShiftyEyes
I don't think that's entirely fair: Dude does look like he has the face of a man who raised a quarter Klingon daughter while being married to a half klingon.

Sunken cheeks... receding hairline... bags under his eyes due to lack of sleep for the past thirty years... borderline malnourished due to extreme stress...
Sat 18 Apr, 2015 6:51 PM
As much as I'm happy to see more Trek Alumni contributing to STO.

I won't rest until we hear Jonathan Frakes. I would like to see more of the TNG or DS9 crew contributing to the game. But with the Iconian Storyline coming up I doubt my wish will come to fruition.