Star Trek: Phase II announces that J.G. Hertzler has been cast in the role of former tutor K'Sia for the upcoming episode "Kitumba." "Kitumba" is based on the story treatment developed by Star Trek producer/director/writer John Meredyth Lucas for the unrealized Star Trek: Phase II series in the late 1970's. The Klingon-centric episode will be a closer look at the Klingon Empire during the original series era. Although the original story treatment calls for a uniquely different government and history for Klingons, Cawley says that particular attention will be paid to keeping the Klingon back-story in line with what we have come to know in subsequent Trek installments.

Hertzler is best known to Star Trek fans for his role as a Klingon warrior, General, and ultimately Chancellor Martok on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, as well as his appearances a Star Trek conventions with friend Robert O'Reilly, who played Klingon Chancellor Gowron on DS9. Hertzler was originally to appear as Harry Mudd in the Star Trek: Phase II (New Voyages) episode, "The Sky Above, The Mudd Below." "That episode has been put on the back-burner for now," commented Senior Executive Producer James Cawley when asked about Hertzler's casting, "but, when this role came up, I immediately thought of J.G. and decided to give him a call - he got back with me and confirmed his availability," concluded Cawley. "Kitumba" is set to go before the cameras this June.

01-22-2009