‘Buck Rogers in the 25th Century’ debuted on NBC in September 1979 and captured the imaginations of viewers across the UK and beyond through its two-season run. Among the standout figures of the series was Erin Gray, who portrayed Colonel Wilma Deering, a character that marked significant progress for women in science fiction. Recently, in an interview with Woman’s World, the 76-year-old actress revisited her experiences and the restrictions faced by women in the television industry during the 1980s.
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While Gray’s role as Wilma Deering was memorable, she acknowledges that female characters often occupied supporting roles where their contributions were sidelined. In the landscape of 1980s television, women were often defined more by their looks than by their narrative significance or capabilities. “There were very few roles for women to star in, period,” Gray explained, reflecting on the challenges of landing more substantial parts. In her view, female characters were frequently relegated to being “the objectified, beautiful girl who adoringly looked up at her leading man.”
In ‘Buck Rogers in the 25th Century’, Gray’s character was a competence-driven military officer who frequently stood side by side with the series’ titular character, Buck Rogers, played by Gil Gerard. Although Wilma Deering was portrayed as strong and skilled, the show primarily centred on its male lead. This often left her character overshadowed, despite her significant presence in key storylines.
One notable exception was the episode titled “Vampire in Space”, which Gray recounted as a moment when Wilma’s character truly took centre stage. She expressed how gratifying it was to have a pivotal role in that storyline, highlighting the desire many actresses share for complex characters who contribute meaningfully to the plot. “To be in something where I could be pivotal to that storyline was very appealing to me as an actress,” she said.
While Gray acknowledged that she had participated in numerous romantic plots throughout the decade, she craved roles that would allow her to display greater depth. She mentioned her performance in the 1982 drama ‘Born Beautiful’ as an example of a role where she felt more engaged and fulfilled creatively. “I didn’t want it to be all about being goo-goo eyes at the leading man kind of thing,” Gray asserted, emphasising the importance of having substantive material to portray as an actor.
Her reflections have also shed light on why she found the prospect of playing Captain Kathryn Janeway in ‘Star Trek: Voyager’ so appealing, even though she ultimately did not secure the role. The opportunity to portray a character with a commanding presence and narrative leadership was something she longed for, echoing the sentiments of many actresses seeking meaningful roles in an industry often dominated by male narratives.
Despite the limitations of her time, Gray’s portrayal of Colonel Wilma Deering has had a lasting impact that resonates beyond the screen. She revealed that the character inspired many women, including a notable encounter with a high-ranking official in the Marine Corps who cited Gray’s character as her motivation to pursue a military career. “You’re the reason,” the woman told Gray, illustrating how fictional portrayals can profoundly influence personal aspirations.
Reflecting on her time on ‘Buck Rogers’, Gray expressed surprise that her role could shape the life choices of others. “I did not ever think when I got the job on Buck Rogers that that would have that kind of influence,” she explained. “To find out 10, 15 years later the impact, it was mind-boggling to me.”
Gray’s experience serves as both a testament to the evolution of female characters in television and a reminder of the ongoing journey towards diversity and equality in storytelling. As the entertainment industry continues to evolve, stories like hers inspire future generations and highlight the importance of representation across all forms of media.