Gary Graham (Ambassador Soval) is probably best known to genre fans for the Alien Nation television series, but the actor also came very close to scoring the lead roles on both Deep Space Nine and Voyager.

"I actually read for Sisko," Graham told Star Trek Monthly's Paul Simpson and Ruth Thomas (via Sci-Fi Pulse). "It came down to the final auditions on the captain for Deep Space Nine and there were two other guys and me who were considered for Sisko."

Although Voyager's producers intended the series to be the first with a woman in the big chair, Paramount also auditioned male actors for the role. British actor Nigel Havers was one of the contenders, as was Graham. "The part was written for a woman," he said, "but they weren't sure whether they wanted to go for a woman, so I was one of three men that they were considering casting if they didn't."

The actor later won the role of Tanis in Voyager's 'Cold Fire' and Enterprise's Ambassador Soval, but it wasn't easy scoring a part. "The Star Trek people call you in nineteen times and don't hire you, but they do keep calling you in. I was getting to think, 'Oh no, not another Star Trek audition - they never hire me!'"

So far Graham's character has only featured in 'Broken Bow' and 'Shadows of P'Jem,' but there may be more appearances in the future. "It turns out that the studio had a huge storm of mail requesting that the Enterprise come back to Earth," he said. "As my character is headquartered on Earth, it seems as if I'm going to come back."

To read the full interview with Graham, pick up the latest issue of Star Trek Monthly, out now. Alternatively, extracts are available here at Sci-Fi Pulse.

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