Star Trek: Why Dr. Crusher Left TNG In Season 2 (& Why She Came Back)

Gates McFadden played Dr. Beverly Crusher on Star Trek: The Next Generation and the TNG movies but backstage issues led to McFadden's character being replaced in TNG season 2. Dr. Crusher was introduced in TNG's pilot episode, "Encounter at Farpoint," along with her teenage son, Wesley Crusher (Wil Wheaton), and Beverly is remembered for being a consistent part of TNG's main cast. However, at the start of TNG season 2, it's revealed that Dr. Crusher transferred off the Enterprise to head up Starfleet Medical, leaving Wesley behind.