TORONTO – As Deanna Troi on Star Trek: The Next Generation she spent seven seasons boldly going through space – but don’t expect actress Marina Sirtis to be among those signing up for a trip into orbit.
“I have no desire to go into space,” says Sirtis. “I’m scared of heights.”
She might also be worried about running into creatures from another planet.
“My father-in-law was in charge of the clean-up at Roswell and although he never divulged anything, I sensed that something had landed there,” she says with a laugh.
Sirtis is feeling much more grounded these days playing Mossad boss Orli Elbaz on the hit Global series NCIS.
“Roles like this don’t come along very often,” she says.
Playing an Israeli on an American series is no problem for the British-born Greek actress, whose résumé is dotted with character names as diverse as Nabila Hassan, Aurora Abromowitz and Svetlana Markov.
“I look ethnic so it’s no surprise that I get to play many nationalities. Of course it would be nice to not have to learn an accent all the time,” Sirtis admits. “But as a middle-aged actress in Hollywood, I’m just grateful I’m still working.”
Sirtis is still working at 58 without having undergone any of the surgical updates that are so common in the industry.
“I understand why actresses get work done. Hollywood is a youth culture and I think they’re just trying to keep in the game,” said Sirtis. “I won’t get any work done because I’ve always regarded myself as a character actress and so as I age I’ll just play older parts.
“Also my husband has threatened to divorce me if I get a face lift.”
Sirtis admits she was surprised Star Trek’s Counsellor Troi prompted so many male fans to set their phasers to “stunning.”
She recalls: “I was a very ugly child and if you had told me then that in the future I would be a sex symbol, I would never have believed you. That being the case, I was delighted and honoured to be regarded in that light.”
Sirtis is also thrilled fans continue to flock to conventions to meet her. “One of the most wonderful things I hear is that Deanna inspired so many to become counselors and psychologists,” she says.
Sirtis and TNG co-stars like Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes, Brent Spiner and Michael Dorn have reunited several times at conventions – including last month in Toronto.
“We hit it off from day one,” she explains. “The chemistry happened very quickly and we have maintained our love for each other for over 25 years. These guys are like family and I can’t tell you how much I adore them all.”
The star concedes that being so identified for the sci-fi series as well as four Star Trek movies (and guest spots on Voyager and Enterprise) is a double-edged sword.
“Any time an actor is involved in a hit TV show, it usually takes awhile to shake the character and be accepted in a different role.”
Still, she has no regrets.
“Jonathan Frakes and I have always said that if TNG was still on, we would still be on it,” says Sirtis. “I think that says it all.”
She is also a fan of director J.J. Abrams’ 2009 Star Trek reboot.
“J.J. is doing an amazing job for the franchise. I’m dying to see the next one because Benedict Cumberbatch is one of my favourite actors.”
Sirtis says she hopes to be back in Canada soon.
“I absolutely love Canada and Canadians are the nicest people in the world,” she says. “The only gripe I have is that Marks and Spencer is no more so I have to go to England to buy my undies.”
NCIS airs Tuesdays at 8:00 p.m. on Global.
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