Summary
- Star Trek: Deep Space Nine was a groundbreaking show that broke with tradition by setting the story on a space station instead of a starship.
- The characters in DS9 were complex and multi-dimensional, facing moral dilemmas and challenging the utopian vision of Star Trek.
- DS9 had a talented cast, including Avery Brooks as Captain Sisko, Nana Visitor as Major Kira, and Colm Meaney as Chief O'Brien, who brought depth and nuance to their roles.
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine was the biggest and most ambitious Star Trek show of the time, and featured a huge cast of characters that extended far beyond the titular space station's crew. Star Trek: DS9 was the first of three shows to spin off from the hugely successful Star Trek: The Next Generation. Set on a space station instead of a starship was the first of many ways in which Star Trek: Deep Space Nine broke with tradition. Set amidst the fallout from Cardassia's withdrawal from Bajor after decades of oppressive rule, DS9 was a show that was never afraid to interrogate Gene Roddenberry's utopian vision at the turn of the 20th century.
When Star Trek: Deep Space Nine began its Dominion War arc in season 4, it became a forerunner to the longform storytelling embraced by modern Trek. DS9 was ahead of its time, and that didn't always go down well with die-hard fans of classic Star Trek. However, in recent years, DS9 has had a streaming renaissance that has revealed new depths to the show. While Star Trek: Deep Space Nine was best known for its darker themes and longform storytelling, it also had some of the franchise's best ever comedy episodes. The careful tonal maintained by DS9's writers was aided by its extensive cast of characters.
20 Avery Brooks as Captain Benjamin Sisko
Captain Benjamin Sisko was many things - a Starfleet officer, the Bajoran Emissary, a devoted father, grieving widower, and decorated war hero. This meant that Sisko was painfully aware of his dual responsibilities as a Bajoran religious figure and a Starfleet officer. Sisko often had to make difficult moral decisions to fulfill these dual roles during the Dominion War. After playing a crucial role in leading the Federation alliance to victory against the Dominion in the DS9 finale, Sisko was called to the Celestial Temple to serve the Bajoran Prophets. Sisko was played by actor Avery Brooks, who was best known for playing the lead in A Man Called Hawk. Sisko's clean-shaven face and full head of hair in DS9's first three seasons was to distinguish the character from Hawk.
19 Nana Visitor as Major Kira Nerys
Major Kira Nerys was a former Bajoran resistance fighter, and served as Sisko's second-in-command on Deep Space Nine. This created a fascinating new dynamic for Star Trek: DS9, because Kira had the Bajoran's best interests in mind, leading to conflicts with Starfleet. Kira was also forced to confront her history in the Bajoran resistance, as she came face-to-face with Cardassian war criminals and clashed with former colleagues who rejected the Federation's plans for Bajor. Ultimately, Kira used her experiences with guerilla warfare to help the Cardassians rise up against the Dominion, a crucial moment in ending the war. Kira was played by Nana Visitor, and it was her first major role in an ongoing TV series since Working Girl in 1990.
18 Colm Meaney as Chief Miles O'Brien
Colm Meaney played Chief Miles O'Brien in Star Trek: The Next Generation for six seasons by the time he transferred to Deep Space Nine. O'Brien's experiences in the Cardassian border wars made him a perfect character for Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's increased focus on the Cardassian and Bajoran conflict. O'Brien's prejudice against the Cardassians was used against him in a number of DS9 episodes, notably "Tribunal", in which he was framed as a Maquis traitor. O'Brien had an incredibly rough time during DS9, experiencing physical and mental torture and the harsh realities of the Dominion War. After all the hardship, it's unsurprising that he accepted a position at Starfleet Academy at the end of DS9.
17 Terry Farrell as Lt. Jadzia Dax
Lt. Jadzia Dax was a Trill host, joined with the Dax symbiont after the death of its previous host, Curzon. Curzon Dax had been a mentor to the young Benjamin Sisko, leading to him affectionately referring to Jadzia as "old man". Jadzia inherited Curzon's friendship with Sisko, but she also inherited the old man's fondness for the three Klingon warriors Kor (John Collicos), Koloth (William Campbell), and Kang (Michael Ansara). This affinity with Klingon culture allowed her to bond with her future husband, Lt. Commander Worf (Michael Dorn) when he joined the station's crew. The couple were tragically torn apart when Jadzia Dax was killed off in DS9's season 6 finale. After DS9, Terry Farrell went on to play Reggie in the Ted Danson sitcom Becker.
16 Alexander Siddig as Doctor Julian Bashir
Alexander Siddig is the nephew of Star Trek Generations actor Malcolm McDowell, and got his big break playing Dr. Julian Bashir in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Bashir was a young and ambitious Starfleet medic whose obsession with spy fiction and friendship with the shady Cardassian tailor endeared the character to viewers after a rocky start. It was later revealed that Julian was an illegal Augment, but the noble sacrifice of his father Richard Bashir (Brian George) allowed him to remain in Starfleet. Starfleet's black ops group Section 31 later attempted to recruit Bashir, and he was horrified, but grimly fascinated with their immoral methods for protecting the Federation. After DS9 ended, Alexander Siddig went on to appear in other genre shows like 24, Game of Thrones and Gotham.
15 Rene Auberjonois as Constable Odo
Constable Odo was one of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's Changelings, who orchestrated the war against the Federation, meaning that Odo became an enemy of his people. He was also used by Section 31 to spread a genocidal weapon intended to wipe out the Dominion threat, to the horror of Doctor Bashir and the crew of Deep Space Nine. Odo returned home to teach his people the positive things he learned from his years living alongside the "Solids" and his relationship with Kira. Odo was played by Rene Auberjonois, who was best known for his work with the filmmaker Robert Altman on acclaimed movies like M*A*S*H and McCabe & Mrs. Miller. He also played himself in Altman's Hollywood satire The Player.
14 Armin Shimerman as Quark
Having previously attempted to launch the Ferengi as the new threat in Star Trek: The Next Generation, Armin Shimerman was cast as Quark. Realizing that the Ferengi were much better served as a slightly comic satirization of capitalist greed, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine did the best Ferengi episodes in the entire Star Trek canon. That was down to Shimerman and his Star Trek Ferengi family, who played a key role in realizing Deep Space Nine as a thriving commercial hub as well as a strategic Starfleet location. While playing Quark in the final seasons of DS9, Shimerman was also playing Principal Snyder in Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
13 Michael Dorn as Lt. Commander Worf
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine season 4 was a watershed moment for the series, as it broke the alliance between the Federation and the Klingon Empire. This crucial moment necessitated the enlisting of Michael Dorn's Lt. Commander Worf from Star Trek: The Next Generation. Worf's DS9 arc was far more satisfying than that of TNG as he fell in love, got married, and learned about command from Captain Benjamin Sisko. He ended DS9 as a Federation ambassador, but his return in Star Trek: Picard season 3 proved that diplomacy didn't suit him. After DS9, Michael Dorn continued to play Worf in one more TNG movie and also played the President of the United States in Heroes season 2.
12 Nicole de Boer as Ensign Ezri Dax
Nicole de Boer succeeded Terry Farrell as Ezri, the latest host for the Dax symbiont in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine season 7. The actress had previously starred in 1997'sThe Cube, but Ezri Dax was her first major role on TV. Ezri was an unwilling host, and was therefore much less self-assured than Jadzia, however she soon became more comfortable with herself, thanks to the support of the DS9 crew. At the end of the series, she was in a relationship with Dr. Bashir, effectively wrapping up the story of Julian's unrequited love for Jadzia.
11 Marc Alaimo as Gul Dukat
Marc Alaimo is widely credited for influencing the design of the Cardassians in Star Trek, when they were introduced in the TNG episode "The Wounded". In Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Dukat had overseen the dying days of the Cardassian occupation of Bajor, and had a fascinating arc throughout Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Dukat sold his people out to the Dominion, and reclaimed Deep Space Nine for Cardassia, before he was driven mad with grief. Dukat decided to destroy Bajor once and for all by unleashing the demonic pah-Wraiths. He was foiled by Sisko, who gave his life in the process. Prior to Star Trek, Alaimo had roles in the movies Total Recall and Tango and Cash.
10 Andrew Robinson as Elim Garak
Gul Dukat's other nemesis was Elim Garak, Deep Space Nine's resident tailor and spymaster. Gul Dukat hated Garak because he held him responsible for the death of his father, believing that Garak had betrayed him to the secretive Obsidian Order. Garak had a strong friendship with Dr. Julian Bashir, whose loyalty helped Garak cope with his exile from Cardassia. In the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine finale, Garak's work in liberating Cardassia from the Dominion saw him finally win back favor from the government. Andrew Robinson was best known for his role as Larry in Hellraiser and also played the Scorpio killer in the classic Clint Eastwood movie Dirty Harry.
9 Cirroc Lofton as Jake Sisko
Jake Sisko was the son of Benjamin, and maintained a close relationship with his father throughout Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Jake was a budding writer, but the Dominion War changed his aspirations, convincing him to take up a career as a reporter instead. Jake remained on DS9 when it was retaken by the Cardassians and also found himself on the front lines of the Federation-Klingon war. Jake was also best friends with Quark's nephew Nog, and it was a great choice by DS9 to send Nog, rather than Jake, to Starfleet Academy. Cirroc Lofton continues to host The 7th Rule: A Star Trek Podcast, which he co-hosted with Nog actor Aron Eisenberg until his sad death in 2019.
8 Penny Johnson Jerald as Kasidy Yates-Sisko
Benjamin Sisko's second wife was the freighter captain Kasidy Yates, who was also the mother of his second child. Ben and Kassidy's relationship was fraught with difficulty, but it weathered the storm of her imprisonment for smuggling and the Dominion War. It's likely that it also weathered the storm of Captain Sisko's Star Trek: DS9 ending, which saw him leave Kasidy, Jake and his unborn child for the Celestial Temple. Penny Johnson Jerald was a well-known face when she joined DS9 having starred in Gary Shandling's acclaimed The Larry Sanders Show. She went on to play the manipulative Sherry Palmer in 24 and later returned to science fiction as Dr. Claire Finn in Seth MacFarlane's The Orville.
7 Aron Eisenberg as Nog
Nog had the distinction of being the first Ferengi to join Starfleet, having been inspired by both Sisko and O'Brien. Nog's entry into Starfleet came during the Dominion War, and he was duly enlisted in the fighting. Nog was severely wounded, losing a leg and becoming withdrawn and depressed. It was thanks to the intervention by holographic lounge singer Vic Fontaine (James Darren) that pulled Nog back from the brink in "It's Only a Paper Moon", one of Star Trek's best holodeck episodes. Eisenberg sadly died in 2019, but his Seventh Rule podcasts with Cirroc Lofton are a wonderful testament to the biggest and best-loved role of his career.
6 Max Grodénchik as Rom
Nog's father Rom was the first Ferengi to unionize in the classic Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode "Bar Association" leading to the staff at Quark's Bar going on strike. Rom was incredibly progressive for a Ferengi, supporting equal rights, fair treatment of workers, and respecting women. It's for this reason that Rom's ascension to the role of Grand Nagus at the end of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine was such a positive move. Max Grodénchik looks set to reprise the role of Rom for a future episode of Star Trek: Lower Decks season 4.
5 Chase Masterson as Leeta
Rom's future wife, Leeta the Bajoran dabo girl was played by Chase Masterson, who had previously guested in shows like ER and Sliders. Leeta caught the attention of Doctor Lewis Zimmerman (Robert Picardo) and Doctor Julian Bashir during her time in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. However, it was Rom who was her true love, and the pair lived happily ever after on Ferenginar. Leeta is also expected to join Rom in Lower Decks season 4 as both characters were seen in the trailer released at San Diego Comic-Con 2023.
4 Rosalind Chao as Keiko O'Brien
Chief Miles O'Brien's wife Keiko also transferred from Star Trek: The Next Generation to Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Keiko had some interesting storylines in DS9, such as the surrogate baby triangle between her, Miles and Kira. She also had to support Miles through the psychological traumas inflicted on him throughout DS9, and took an active role in clearing her husband's name with the Cardassians. Keiko left DS9 with Miles to live a - hopefully less stressful - life on Earth in the Deep Space Nine finale.
3 J.G. Hertzler as General Martok
General Martok was one of several Star Trek: DS9 characters impersonated by Changelings during the Dominion War. It was the Changeling Martok who was responsible for convinced Chancellor Gowron (Robert Reilly) to go on the offensive at the start of DS9 season 4. Once the original Martok was returned to the Klingon Empire, he became a war hero and engaged in a power struggle with Gowron. This power struggle tested the loyalties of Worf, but ultimately he sided with Martok, earning an Ambassador role in the process. J.G. Hertzler had several guest spots in shows like Seinfeld, Diagnosis Murder and The New Adventures of Superman before being cast as Martok.
2 Salome Jens as The Female Changeling
Salome Jens had a long list of credits - including Martha Kent in the short-lived Superboy series - before being cast in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine as the Female Changeling and spokesperson for the Dominion. The Female Changeling attempted to tempt Odo back to the Great Link on a number of occasions, but was always unsuccessful. She was a ruthless tyrant who sought to subjugate all solid life to bring order to the universe, and she almost succeeded, where it not for the heroism of the DS9 crew and their allies.
1 Jeffrey Combs as Weyoun
Jeffrey Combs played several characters in Star Trek franchise, but the most memorable has to be Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's Weyoun. The Vorta were a clone species, so Combs played each version of the only solid that the Female Changeling ever trusted. Weyoun was a slimy and overconfident Star Trek villain, and this ultimately ended his line. Coldly gloating over the extensive loss of life during the liberation of Cardassia, he was gunned down by Garak. Combs continues to feature in Star Trek to this day, playing the Andorian Commander Shran in Star Trek: Enterprise and Agimus in Star Trek: Lower Decks.