What The Leading Ladies Of Star Trek: The Next Generation Look Like Now

Phrases like "cult classic" get tossed around plenty, but few things actually pierce the zeitgeist to fuel a subculture all its own quite like "Star Trek: The Next Generation." The ladies who led the hit television show are still out and about today, and looking just as fierce decades later. From the voluminous hair to the bold makeup, so many of the things people actually found attractive in the '80s were on full display in the beloved series, which ran for seven seasons from 1987 to 1994. 

Marina Sirtis still boasts her character's dark hair and strong brows, Denise Crosby is still rocking a version of her iconic short haircut, and Gates McFadden and Whoopi Goldberg have continued to deliver that otherworldly poise. Sadly, Sir Patrick Stewart — known to Trekkies everywhere as Captain Jean-Luc Picard — died on Oct. 28, 2026. But thanks to conventions, reboots, and throngs of avid fans, "Star Trek: The Next Generation" and the actors who made outer space feel close to home will forever be in our hearts.

Gates McFadden played Dr. Beverly Crusher through all seven seasons of "Star Trek: The Next Generation," serving as chief medical officer and the sometimes romantic interest of Sir Patrick Stewart's character, Captain Picard. Dr. Beverly's big, layered blowout is one of the classic '80s hairstyles that have seen a surge in popularity again; hers was iconic thanks to its rich red tone and baby bangs. Since the series wrapped, McFadden has done guest spots on hit shows like "Mad About You" and "The Practice," and other work within the "Star Trek" universe. Today, she's sporting a similar blowout but blond, showcased when she sat on a "Star Trek" panel during FanExpo Chicago in August 2026. 

McFadden has been tapped to pen the limited comic book series "Star Trek: Crusher," set to debut in summer 2027. "It's such an honor to return to Starfleet and expand Beverly Crusher's storyline in a whole new way," McFadden told Variety. "I've spent years bringing the words of other great writers to life in Beverly's shoes, so it's inspiring and thrilling to now be the one scripting a new chapter in this fabulous character's saga."

Through the seven-season run of "Star Trek: The Next Generation," actor Marina Sirtis portrayed Deanna Troi, the half-human counselor known for her telepathy and anted-up sense of empathy. Beauty lovers will remember her fabulously curly, espresso-colored hair, and her character perfectly captured the vibe of the '80s with the strong brows and eyes, and generous swipes of blush. After the show aired its last episode in 1994, Sirtis has continued to act in and outside of the "Star Trek" world, appearing in everything from horror movies to procedural police dramas. 

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Today, she's still rocking brunette hair — lightened with streaks of honey blond — and her signature strong eyebrows, seen when she attended The Saturn Awards in Burbank, California in February 2024. Following the death of Sir Patrick Stewart in October 2026, Sirtis posted an emotional video to her Instagram account. She said, in part, "To say that you'll be missed down here is probably the understatement of the century. It was an honor to work with Patrick. Actually, it was more than an honor. It was the privilege of my life to work with him."

Whoopi Goldberg joined the cast of "Star Trek: The Next Generation" in 1988, playing the role of Guinan across five seasons. As the bartender known for her listening ear and thoughtful advice, Guinan also absolutely owned a plethora of extravagant outfits and magnificent, crown-like hats — often worn over a cascade of braids. Goldberg's star had started to rise before and during "Star Trek." She was nominated for an Oscar for "The Color Purple" in 1986 and won in the Best Supporting Actress category for "Ghost" in 1991. 

More recently, she's been one of the hosts of "The View" since 2007. Goldberg is thriving in her personal life, too: She's one of the older celebs who absolutely love being a grandparent. Today, Goldberg is still wearing her hair — streaked with gray — in a natural, dreadlocked style. She tied the front locs back when she hit the red carpet for a Storytellers event during the Tribeca Festival in New York City in June 2026.

Actor Denise Crosby joined "Star Trek: The Next Generation" in the first season as a regular cast member. In subsequent seasons, her character Lieutenant Natasha "Tasha" Yar became a reoccurring role, and fans were graced with the lieutenant's strength, her fiery red lips, and that killer short haircut. Bright blond, layered, and tapered on the sides, it remains one of television's most iconic hairstyles. Crosby starred in "Pet Sematary" in 1991, and in the years since "Star Trek" went off the air she has kept working, appearing in hit TV shows including "Suits" and "General Hospital."

Lately, Crosby has traded the '80s glam for more of a no-makeup makeup look, but that trademark piece-y short 'do remains in a modernized way. We saw it up close when she attended the premiere of "The Sixty Year Mission: How Star Trek Changed Television and the World" in Los Angeles in September 2026. When asked on the red carpet whether she misses the experience of playing the role, she said she doesn't because it hasn't really gone away. "It's not like frozen in amber ... it lives and breathes in an organic way," she told LRM Online, adding, "I'm so honored and proud to be part of this."