I would've given a new character some lines! I don't think fandom would've erupted if there was someone relevant on the bridge who wasn't from TOS. I really don't. That would've required having the writing skills to build a believable OC, though, so maybe not.

(Or Number One could've been an Arab woman! That would've *rocked*, hardcore, and nobody would've minded Majel Barrett having one less role.)

Actually, it was pointed out to me that the actor who played the Captain in the first five minutes was Pakistani; I kind of wish he'd gotten more to do before he was tortured to death offscreen.