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Shatner's First Lead Role: Before Star Trek's Kirk
20 Sep
Summary
- William Shatner's first starring role was in 1965 legal drama 'For the People'.
- The actor played assistant DA David Koster in the legal series.
- 'For the People' offered a prosecutor's perspective, unlike 'The Defenders'.
William Shatner's journey to global superstardom began before his iconic role as Captain Kirk. In 1965, audiences first saw him in a leading capacity as assistant district attorney David Koster in the legal drama "For the People." This series debuted just one year prior to the premiere of "Star Trek" in the U.S. Shatner had previously appeared in various bit parts before landing this significant role.
The legal drama "For the People" centered on Koster's relentless pursuit of justice, often putting him at odds with his superiors and the criminal elements he investigated. Reflecting on the series, Shatner drew a parallel to "The Defenders," another legal drama. He explained that "For the People" presented similar dramatic scenarios but crucially, from the distinct perspective of the prosecutor.
