Maurice Hurley(August 16, 1939 – February 24, 2015[1]) was an American screenwriter and producer known best for his work onStar Trek: The Next Generation.[2]
Maurice Hurley | |
|---|---|
| Born | Maurice Hurley August 16, 1939 Boston, Massachusetts |
| Died | February 24, 2015 (aged 75) |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation(s) | Screenwriter and producer |
Career
editIn the 1980s, his work for television included writing scripts forThe EqualizerandMiami Vice.He also produced some episodes ofThe Equalizer.
He wrote the script for the filmFirebird 2015 ADin 1981, and in 2002 co-wrote the filmGroom LakewithWilliam Shatner.
Hurley co-created the showPointmanwithJoel Surnow& Steve Hattman; Surnow would go on to create24&La Femme Nikitaand Hurley would work with him for a time there as a writer/producer.[3]Other TV efforts included writing and/or producing episodes ofBaywatch,Baywatch Nights,Kung Fu: The Legend ContinuesandDiagnosis: Murder.[3]
InStar Trek: The Next Generation,Hurley was the series' first head writer and show runner. His influence was substantial as he introduced creative elements on the series that became part of the franchise, like theBorg.Hurley was responsible for firingGates McFadden,who played the role of Dr.Beverly Crusher,at the end of the show's first season.[4]Executive producerRick Bermanrecalled that Hurley "had a real bone to pick" with McFadden and did not like her acting.[4]McFadden clashed with Hurley's take on her character during filming, stating, "I definitely pissed off Hurley. Because I kept saying" Why is it that I've raised this genius kid... and yet every time there's anything serious it's only the male characters who talk to him? "[5]He left the series after its second season, which left the door open for Rick Berman to rehire McFadden after dismissing her replacementDiana Muldaur.Hurley was replaced byMichael Wagnerfor four episodes and ultimately byMichael Piller.
In 1993, he returned to the franchise briefly, asked by Berman to write an initial draft for the first Next Generation feature filmStar Trek Generationsthat would transition the film series from the original Enterprise crew to the new crew. Hurley's story treatment involved a plot in whichJames T. Kirkis somehow propelled into the future, where he manifests on the holodeck and works withJean-Luc Picardto help solve a dilemma involving an interdimensional species, but Berman ultimately chose a script treatment proposed byRonald D. MooreandBrannon Braga.[6][7]
References
edit- ^Barnes, Mike (February 26, 2015)."'Star Trek: The Next Generation' Writer and Producer Maurice Hurley Dies at 75 ".Hollywood Reporter.Archivedfrom the original on March 1, 2015.RetrievedFebruary 27,2015.
- ^"Remembering TNG's Maurice Hurley, 1939-2015".startrek.2023-07-25.Retrieved2024-10-09.
- ^abLentz III, Harris (April 2015). "Obituaries".Classic Images(478): 50–56.
- ^abPascale, Anthony (2009-08-26)."Rick Berman Talks 18 Years of Trek In Extensive Oral History".TrekMovie.Archivedfrom the original on 2014-03-30.Retrieved2016-03-26.
- ^Rosenbaum, Michael (19 June 2023)."How and Why GATES MCFADDEN Was 'Fired' From Her Role in STAR TREK".Inside Of You.Archivedfrom the original on 25 June 2023.Retrieved25 June2023.
- ^Nemecek, Larry (7 January 2003).Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion (3rd ed.).Pocket Books. p. 308.ISBN0743457986.
- ^Cinefantastique,Vol 26 #2, p. 16Beeler, Michael (February 1995)."Star Trek Generations".p. 16.Retrieved2021-09-11– viaInternet Archive.
who wrote a competing script, which may be used for subsequent movies
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