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Maurice Hurley, the prolific writer and producer who created the Borg for Star Trek: The Next Generation, has died, aged 75.

TNG executive producer Rick Berman announced the news on Twitter: “We lost one of Star Trek‘s most talented minds. Maurice Hurley produced seasons 1 and 2 of TNG. He was one of a kind. So very sad.”

Hurley became co-executive producer of TNG at the end of the first season, but left at the end of the second, although he contributed further scripts. Not only did he create the Borg in the episode Q Who, but he also provided their distinctive voice. However, he was apparently not popular with everyone involved with the show, with Rick Berman himself noting that Hurley was the reason that Gates McFadden left the series during the second year, and various writers also departing because of him.

He also worked on The Equalizer and 24, as well as Baywatch and its short-lived spin-off, Baywatch Nights.