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Why Was Tasha Yar Killed Off?

Published in Star Trek Character Deaths 1 min read

Tasha Yar, the Chief of Security on the USS Enterprise-D in Star Trek: The Next Generation, was killed off because the actress portraying her, Denise Crosby, requested to be released from her contract.

The Actress's Decision

Denise Crosby made the decision to leave the series during its first season. This led to her character's death in the episode titled "Skin of Evil," which aired as the twenty-third episode of the first season. Her departure was due to a desire to explore other acting opportunities and a reported dissatisfaction with the character's development and role within the ensemble.

Episode Details

The episode "Skin of Evil" depicted Tasha Yar's surprising demise at the hands of Armus, a malevolent, sentient tar-like creature. This event marked a significant and unexpected turning point early in the series, highlighting the dangers faced by the crew. The original story for this pivotal episode was titled "The Shroud" and was penned by Joseph Stefano, an acclaimed writer known for his work on The Outer Limits.

The decision to kill off a main character early in a new Star Trek series was unusual and left a lasting impression on fans.