In a recent interview, veteran actress Elinor Donahue reflected on her guest appearance on the original Star Trek, sharing her memories of working with series star William Shatner.
Donahue, 88, known for her roles in Father Knows Best and The Andy Griffith Show, described Shatner as “interesting, let’s put it that way.” She recalled that the actor was initially “a little tough” on her during rehearsals for her 1967 episode, “Metamorphosis.”
She attributed the initial friction to her own performance anxiety during the early stages of production. “He got a little annoyed with me during the table read,” Donahue explained, noting that she often struggled with rehearsals despite delivering a strong final performance. The situation prompted the episode’s director to intervene, telling Shatner, “Just leave her alone, will you?”
However, Donahue clarified that the tension was short-lived. Once Shatner saw her professionalism and commitment to the role, their working relationship improved. “He saw that I was professional about my work and giving my best,” she said. “We ended up getting along fine.”
In the episode, Donahue played Assistant Federation Commissioner Nancy Hedford, a diplomat on a mission who ultimately merges with a powerful energy being.
Reflecting on her decades in show business, Donahue called her career “magical” and “unbelievable.” She also acknowledged the lasting impact of Star Trek, stating, “You could see that that was going to have legs for a long time.”
