By GustavoLeao / 10:26, 1 September 2008 / General Star Trek

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Interview by Richard Miles, editor of Trekkie-Central online magazine.

We talk to actor Bobby Rice, who played Ro Nevin in the fan production series Star Trek Hidden Frontier  and now plays Peter Kirk in Star Trek Phase II.

1. How familiar were you with the Star Trek phenomenom before you got involved with Hidden Frontier?

Not very.  I've always been a big sci-fi fan but prior to Hidden Frontier did not have a lot of Trek knowledge.  As a kid when Next Gen started it was like MASH coming on, a message from the TV Gods that cartoons were over and it was time to go to bed.  I actually enjoy the show now.  When I came aboard HF I did some research and got into the show, especially the original series.

2- How did you get involved with Hidden Frontier?

HF was my first real audition and booked role in California.  The casting listing was under the tv section of nowcasting.com as a star trek Internet show.  Curious, I submitted and was called in for an audition.  When I wound up in Pasadena in front of a pretty little yellow house I thought I was either in the wrong place or walking into a "to catch a predator" situation.  I came in, read, met some wonderful people and about four days later I got a call and was offered the role.  My friends got a kick out of seeing me with a big gun, uniform, and bajoran nose as the new kid on the website.  I remember hearing "dude thats gona be someones wallpaper"!  Smiling it off I didn't understand the enormity or commitment of Trek fans.

3- Your character is one of the first gay characters in Star Trek, what do you think of that, and what do you think of the controversy that it caused with some fans?

I was asked if I would be comfortable playing a gay character.  I really didn't have a problem with it, I was told it was a sub plot in the series and given a bit of background into the relationship between Ro and Cory.  From what I understand the controversy was minimal.  There were some people who did not like the idea of incorporating gay themes into Trek.  But for the most part the people opposed where respectful in their opinions, apart from a couple bad apples.  The majority of fans understand that everyone; whether black, white, gay, straight, Chinese, Canadian, "or even a woman" has a place together in the future.  "Or even a woman" a quote from Fry, Futurama, episode: Where no fan has gone before.  See, I told you guys I'm a geek!

4- You were the second person to play Ro Nevin, after Arthur Bosserman, did you ever look back at any of the episodes that he was in before or whilst you were playing Ro?

Yeah I wanted to see Aurthers character.  I wanted the change of actor to be as smooth as possible.  He played the character wonderfully sweet, kinda geeky, and restrained by a number of personal issues...his sexuality, religion, family, role.  I tried to apply that to what I did with Ro.  But I had the opportunity to explore Ro's internal struggles more so than Aurther, and I think the character really grew into something bigger.  I have to credit Rob and the writing team for that.  Obviously, Ro stepped up big enough to land the lead in his own series.

5- What was your favourite episode of Hidden Frontier?

Well, clearly the best episodes are the Ro heavy episodes.  Pardon my self delousions:).  I'm not sure the episode but I remember the scene.  I think it was a well written and nicely played by JT.  Ro comes into a bar and confesses his feelings for Corey, as it turns out he is in some kind of holo-deck.  The segment allowed us to see Ro take a few more steps toward where the character was inevitable going to go, because it was not really happening.  It was like seeing in live action something you might secretively write in a diary.

6- In the final scenes of Hidden Frontier there was the wedding scene, what was it like to film that scene?

Oh the wedding scene.  The surroundings were beautiful.  It actually was a really nice day, following filming was the start of the Excelciors ball.  Admirably put together by the bajoran minister Andrew Foster.  The guests at the wedding were made up of fans and they were so happy to be there and help make this happen.  A theme that seems the resonate with all the trek projects I have had the privilege to be affiliated with.  JT and I had a lot of fun together during the shot.   There's a segment without dialog after the "I Do's" where Ro and Cory walk around thanking various guest.  Since there was nothing heard on film I would say things like "thank you for coming, were off to have some gay sex"!  Crazy stuff just to make us laugh.  Looks like were all sharing a good laugh on camera, and we were.  We had fun, it was a great day.

7- And do you think that it was a fitting ending to the Ro-Aster storyline in Hidden Frontier?

70/30.  I do like that Ro ended up with Cory.  I do like that Ro came to terms with himself.  However; I think that Adam's character could have ended up with Cory as well.  I think he had just as much right to a happy ending as Ro did.  I don't know if it was my favorite ending, but it was the right ending.  Plus, it gave way to HF's spin offs.  Kinda like the end of Return of the Jedi, dancing around with a bunch of Ewoks.  I like the ending...it makes me happy...its satisfying, but could have gone many different ways and I probably would still be satisfied.  I'm not making any sense am I?  I'm gona make a sandwich....

8- You played Ro in the first episode of Odyssey, what was it like being the lead of your own show?

There certainly was a sense that the scale of the project was larger.  We were going to do new things, and expand on what HF did in the past.  I love the pilot, I think it's really cool.  Ro found himself in new pants, and had to grow to fit into them.  It was more work but very rewarding and a nice responsibility having the lead role.  When HF ended I got an email from Mr. Caves saying that he'd love to have me in new projects as long as I want, and he understood I wouldn't be around forever.  It was great working with all these devoted and kind people, but if I was going to get out the character switch being too 'weird' it was time.  It was either after the pilot or after a couple of episodes and I thought it better for the show if the series kicked off with the new Ro.

9- And have you watched any of the episodes since Brandon McConnell took over?

I've watch a scene with Brandon to calm my curiosity.  I liked what I saw.  He seemed to have good pacing and presence, but that's all I've seen.  I wish him all the best and hope he has as good of time as I did.  They have a good team over there.  Funny; I just read a interview with him on-line.  I didn't even put it together that he auditioned for the role of Alex Freeman.  Again, small Trek world.  That's how NV got there new Spock too, that particular casting.

10- You are currently starring as Peter Kirk in Star Trek Phase 2, how did you get the part?

James Cawley saw me in HF and liked what I did with the character.  He contacted me and asked if I would be interested in doing a Trek series based out of New York.  I didn't know much about it but thought what the hell.  The idea all along was for me to play Peter Kirk, but the merging of David Gerrolds script and New Voyages hadn't happened yet.  Now both James and David are very good friends of mine, I consider myself very lucky.

11- Can you tell us a bit about the character?

Remember Peter is still a Kirk, whether he likes it or not.  So he is ultimately somewhat like his uncle.  Obviously James is an intergalactic ladies man and Peter prefers the opposite.  There is a sense of resentment on Peters behalf from the fact that his uncle can seemingly save anyone and come thru just in time for anybody except his parents.  Coming aboard the Enterprise was not his choice for sure, and he is always looking to prove that he is a good officer despite being little Kirk.  One of my favorite moments in BAF is when Peter mocks his uncle to a fellow crew member.  My intention was to mimic Cawley with splashes of a Kevin Pollack-like Shatner impersonation.  Thank you Mr. Gerrold for that!

12- You are also due to star in Star Trek First Voyages, can you tell us a bit about it and how that show is going to interact with Phase 2?

Not sure yet.  To be honest I havn't read anything, but I do hear I'll get something soon.  I do know that BAF starts incorporating some Phase II wardrobes, weapons, and 70s ish hippie hair.  (if you've seen Peter).  Wish I had more to share about first voyages but the team is working hard to get it to the standard that the New Voyages team has set.  I''m sure it will be great.

13- You belong to an improv group could you tell us a bit about it, and what improv is?

Its very fun.  Some of the most talented and intelligent people I have ever met are improvisers.  It goes deeper than one might think.  Our job is to explore the suggestion given by the audience, and then depending on the form, let it inspire us to visit different themes with honest human reaction.  The funny is in the Truth of everyday human interaction.  Do I sound pretentious yet?  I have seen some incredible hour long shows with just three dudes having fun on stage.  They don't do different segments and silly things like "who's line", but find themselves as real people in a practical situations and it is funny as hell.  Right now I'm not playing but I'm gearing up to start a three person show in a month.  Improv is great from everyone.  I highly suggest I.O. West in Hollywood and/or Chicago.  Check out iowest.com for class info.  I'll never forget one of my instructors Craig Cackowski saying "Everything in Improv is the perfect thing to happen because its the only thing to happen".  I try to apply that philosophy to more than improv in my life.

14- Are there any other projects that you are working on that you can tell us about?

alljackedupmovie.com has the teen focused documentary I hosted.  I did a segment for MANswers that aired last fall, and recently played the role of Richie on season 2 on the Lair for HERE tv.  You can also catch me at various auditions, selling stolen hub caps on the corner of 4th and Glenaoks at 9 p.m., and using the change in my pocket to get some tacos at Dell Taco after I type this, my sandwich sucks.....................................................

The teaser for his upcoming Star Trek Phase II episode "Blood and Fire" can be found at YouTube.