Shatner Revisits 'Star Trek' Captains for a 'Close-Up'



William Shatner

MARINA DEL REY, Calif. — In 2011, William Shatner made a feature-length documentary, The Captains, about the “Star Trek” actors who’ve headlined the various incarnations of the franchise over the years.

The movie gave the Capt. Kirk actor a chance to mingle with those who succeeded him over the years, including Patrick Stewart (“Star Trek: The Next Generation”), Avery Brooks (“Deep Space Nine”), Kate Mulgrew (“Voyager”), Scott Bakula (“Enterprise”) and even Chris Pine, who plays the young Kirk in the new “Trek” films.

The Captains was a hit among consumers and critics alike. And apparently it wasn’t nearly enough.

Shatner decided to take a deeper look at his subjects in the five-episode miniseries The Captains Close Up, which like The Captains first aired on the Epix premium cable channel. Entertainment One will release The Captains Close Up on DVD Aug. 13 at $19.98..

The Captains Close Up focuses on each captain in intimate detail, from their early careers to personal challenges, love and life after leading a crew in the “Star Trek” universe.

“They are interesting, remarkable human beings,” Shatner said. “They spoke about things they never spoke about before.”

Each half-hour includes Shatner’s personal conversation with one of the other captains, as well interviews with the biggest names in the world of “Star Trek,” including Jonathan Frakes, Walter Koenig, Ira Steven Behr, Robert Beltran, Michael Dorn, Terry Farrell, Rick Berman, Brannon Braga, Ron Moore, Nana Visitor and more.

Pine, the newest captain of the Enterprise, turns the tables on Shatner, interviewing him about his life before, during and after “Star Trek.”

“The ‘Star Trek’ franchise has been reinvigorated by these new movies,” Shatner said. “They’re great, dynamic viewing.”