When Dominic Keating scored the role of Armory officer Lieutenant Malcolm Reed on Enterprise to say that he felt pleasantly surprised would be a considerable understatement.

"I feel like I have won the lottery," he told the Leicester Mercury. "I have been waiting years for this chance, so yes I was surprised and elated, but I could kick myself now for all the times I worried whether I was going to get to work or got depressed."

According to the newspaper, Keating, who grew up in Leicestershire, England, has signed a seven-year contract with Paramount Pictures. The actor was first spotted by the producers when he auditioned for a Voyager episode two years ago. He didn't get the part, but they asked him to audition for the role of Malcolm Reed in Enterprise. Keating knew he had secured the part when one of the producers shouted "So Dom, are you ready for the next seven years?"

Keating is acutely aware of what the future holds. "At the moment, I can go to Starbucks and get my coffee standing in my tatty shorts," he said. "I have to remember this time because come September 26 it's going to change. It's really weird to be starring in a series which 62 million people are gagging at the bit to see."

The actor's enthusiasm for the series is unflinching. "We are harking back to the original idea for Star Trek," he explained. "It's much more character-driven. One of the first shows I ever watched was Star Trek and now I'm in it. It's a dream come true. I kept having to pinch myself."

Thanks to Louise for sending this in!

Discuss this news item at Trek BBS!
 Add TrekToday RSS feed to your news reader or My Yahoo!
Also a CSI: Crime Scene Investigation fan? Then visit CSIFiles.com!