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Warning: SPOILERS for Star Trek: Picard Season 3, Episode 8As Star Trek: Picard season 3 warps towards its conclusion, Ashlei Sharpe Chestnut has defined her part of Star Trek: The Next Generation‘s legacy as Ensign Sidney La Forge, the daughter of Commodore Geordi La Forge (LeVar Burton) and sister of Ensign Alandra La Forge (Mica Burton).
The helmsman of the USS Titan-A, Sidney has been in the thick of Admiral Jean-Luc Picard’s (Patrick Stewart) desperate battle against enemy Changelings led by Captain Vadic (Amanda Plummer). Sidney has also shown chemistry with Picard’s son, Jack Crusher (Ed Speleers), which had led to Star Trek fans shipping and dubbing them #LaCrush.
Screen Rant had the pleasure of interviewing Ashlei Sharpe Chestnut about her thoughts on #LaCrush and what she’s learned working with LeVar Burton. Ashlei also teases the end of Star Trek: Picard season 3 and shares her hopes for Sidney in a potential spinoff titled Star Trek: Legacy.
Ashlei Sharpe Chestnut Talks Star Trek: Picard Season 3’s Ending & Star Trek: Legacy
Screen Rant: What have the last 8 weeks been like for you? The Star Trek fandom really has embraced you and Sidney.
Ashlei Sharpe Chestnut: Oh my God, yeah, in ways that I didn’t anticipate. I knew, stepping into these huge shoes, being a daughter of Geordi LaForge, I knew at least some of the fans would embrace me, but the fact that the vast majority of this fandom has welcomed me with open arms… It’s been an amazing ride so far. I’m truly grateful.
When I talked to Gates McFadden last month, she pointed out something really interesting: Star Trek: Picard is one of the few shows on TV that shows a young generation and an older generation working together harmoniously and not in conflict with each other.
Ashlei Sharpe Chestnut: Yeah, absolutely. I don’t think I’ve seen anything like this. Yeah, she’s correct. She’s definitely correct.
So let’s talk about #LaCrush. I ship it.
Ashlei Sharpe Chestnut: (laughs) A lot of people are shipping us. It’s been so funny to see the Tweets online too.
When Sidney and Jack got together in episode 6, that first scene of you and Ed together, we all saw that there’s electricity there. Tell me about your point of view on #LaCrush.
Ashlei Sharpe Chestnut: I think we kind of see a little bit of flirtation vibes in [episode] 6. And then we definitely see it in [episode] 7. Because he’s reading her mind, right? In the turbolift scene when we’re in there and he’s reading my thoughts. And I’m like, “Is he going to touch my hand?” And he touches my hand. It’s just really nice to see this potential relationship blossom. Especially the fact that we are the kids if these characters too. It’s kind of inevitable, you know?
Jack Crusher seems like he’d be complicated as a boyfriend.
Ashlei Sharpe Chestnut: Oh my God! Are you kidding me? Baggage for days.
And it’s probably not the best that he can read your mind.
Ashlei Sharpe Chestnut: Yeah, no. No. I wouldn’t want a partner to read my mind, no.
You got to have some really cool action scenes in “Dominion.” Tell me about getting to do action. How long did it take you and Ed to choreograph doing the same moves? That whole synchronicity thing was so great.
Ashlei Sharpe Chestnut: We started rehearsals back in December 2021. And we were there for a few hours. And then we had another [rehearsal] back in January 2022. And just to make sure that we were comfortable with the fight choreography. It’s a testament to Guy, our stunt coordinator, my stunt double too. I want to give her a shout-out. It just was a really fun process. And it was my first time doing actual fight choreography. I mean, I’ve worked with guns and stuff before in other television shows, but this was something else and it was really fun.
Do you want to do more action if you get to do more Star Trek?
Ashlei Sharpe Chestnut: Of course. Are you kidding? I got a little taste. I have to keep going.
Going back a few episodes, I believe you’re the first of the main Picard cast to play a Changeling posing as your character. So I’d love to ask you about that scene.
Ashlei Sharpe Chestnut: Oh, when I saw the dead body of the dead Changeling? Oh man. (laughs) It was definitely interesting, I think, to see it, especially for Sidney. [It leads to her] hair change and all these different things about Sidney being kind of traumatized by seeing this Changeling turn into her, you know what I mean? And the fact that it’s dead now, and she can see this corpse in front of her. Yeah, it was traumatizing for her character. And I know she just wanted to like move on from it mentally because every time she would look into the mirror, obviously, she would think about this Changeling that looks just like her. So I kind of justified that through [her] hair change.
Was changing Sidney’s hairstyle because of that scene or was that something you just wanted to do, and they kind of wrote it in?
Ashlei Sharpe Chestnut: Well, I definitely wanted to change [her] hair in general. But plot-wise, I was told the most fitting place would be for this scene. And then I asked Terry [Matalas] after rehearsal one day and I said, “Can I please change my hair?” And he said, “Yes.”
That makes perfect sense. It works perfectly for the character, it works for the story. It’s such a good, justified character change. And the new hair looks awesome. I also love the scene when the Changeling shows up that Sidney calling Seven of Nine “Commander Seven” was the payoff that ended up saving the ship.
Ashlei Sharpe Chestnut: Yeah. Also, just to go back to your point before, that [scene] was actually fun too. To kind of be a little menacing, [and] just come in and pretend to be the actual Sidney person. But yeah, that was a cool scene to shoot too. I just remember pretending, faking the death and falling to the ground. But yeah, it was fun
The Changeling Sidney has a line where she says, “My father is the greatest engineer in Starfleet.” And I remember the real Sidney said that in an earlier scene. I feel like Sidney says this a lot.
Ashlei Sharpe Chestnut: (laughs) Like she’s just name-dropping her dad? See, I’m gonna stick up for Sydney. And I’ll say yes, she does it when it’s warranted. But in that specific instance, I felt like that Changeling was being a little extra.
Speaking of your dad, episode 6, “The Bounty,” was the LaForge family reunion. LeVar is incredible in the season, especially in his scenes with Data. The last episode… I think everybody was in tears after his performance.
Ashlei Sharpe Chestnut: Yeah, everybody. I mean, my family included, me… Just being able to work with LeVar, especially for that scene was just… I keep saying surreal, but it’s true. I grew up watching LeVar. And being able to call him a peer now… I’m an honorary Burton as we talked about… It was just so heartwarming, just to be able to be in a scene with him.
What has LeVar taught you now that you’ve sat under his Learning Tree?
Ashlei Sharpe Chestnut: I mean, just to enjoy the ride. The fact that this fandom has embraced me. Just enjoy it. Sit in it. Be present in it. I think that’s a culmination of everything that we’ve talked about.
LeVar is a perfect example, too. Star Trek will be part of you for the rest of your life. Basically, you’re always going to be synonymous with his character and his legacy.
Ashlei Sharpe Chestnut: I mean, hopefully, I am – knock on wood – I’m alive in like 40 years for Frontier Day. Or First Contact Day.
So we had the big La Forge family reunion, but I gotta ask you about Sidney and Alandra’s mother. Is there anything you can tell us about who this mystery lady is?
Ashlei Sharpe Chestnut: Now, you know I can’t tell you anything. John! I cannot say anything.
I had to ask. So let’s say that could be something that we could see in Star Trek: Legacy?
Ashlei Sharpe Chestnut: You know, possibly? There are so many possibilities, John.
Well, that’s what Star Trek is about: possibilities.
Ashlei Sharpe Chestnut: Yes it is.
Star Trek: Legacy. Of course, we all want it. It’s pretty clear that Terry Matalas, the writers, and the cast want to keep going. You’re obviously in, right?
Ashlei Sharpe Chestnut: Absolutely. Hands down.
Now, if Star Trek: Legacy happens, what are your hopes for Sidney? Should she and Alandra serve on the Titan together?
Ashlei Sharpe Chestnut: I would love it. I think that dynamic is perfect. I mean, Alandra as the engineer, I’m the pilot. We kind of have a little bit of everything that you would need for a spinoff. And I would love to continue to have the audience see our sister dynamic.
I don’t think two siblings have ever served on a starship together.
Ashlei Sharpe Chestnut: See? I mean, this is like history-making stuff.
Now let me ask you this: If Star Trek: Legacy happens, do you want to stay on the Titan? Or what if the Enterprise becomes an option?
Ashlei Sharpe Chestnut: Oh good question. I’ve been seeing a lot of fans talk about the Titan, and the continuation of the Titan. So I think to appeal to that, maybe I’d say the Titan for now. But listen, I’m always open for anything.
But who could say no to the Enterprise that became an option?
Ashlei Sharpe Chestnut: Exactly!
We have two episodes of Picard left. I’m sure it’s gonna be an incredible ending. Is there anything you can tease about what happens in the final two episodes?
Ashlei Sharpe Chestnut: Yes, I could. Yes, of course, I could. Yeah, I’ll tease a little bit. You’re gonna see… I’m trying to be very careful. I’ll say this. The fight isn’t over. That’s very vague. Yeah, that’s all I’m gonna give you. Before I get sued by CBS.
I don’t want to get you in trouble. No NDAs are gonna be broken. The Changelings will hunt you down.
Ashlei Sharpe Chestnut: (laughs) Exactly! I’ll be gone for real.
Looking back, what has been your favorite moment of season 3?
Ashlei Sharpe Chestnut: Oh, I think I don’t have one specific moment. But I’ll say working with everybody, especially LeVar in episode 6. And our little fight scene in 307. What you’re getting ready to see in the subsequent episodes as well. I can’t really narrow down one specific [thing]. Because each episode, I feel like I’ve learned so much even about myself. But I’ve had so many favorite moments, especially with this cast and crew.
Did you keep or take anything from the set?
Ashlei Sharpe Chestnut: I have my comms badge. I tried to take my costume, but I had to give that back. They literally sent a production assistant to my home to pick it up. But I got to keep the comms badge.
About Star Trek: Picard Season 3
The third and final season of Star Trek: Picard features Jean-Luc Picard during the 25th century as he reunites with the former command crew of the USS Enterprise while facing a mysterious new enemy who is hunting Picard’s son.
Check out our other Star Trek: Picard season 3 interviews here:
Star Trek: Picard season 3 streams Thursdays on Paramount+.
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