Deep Space Nine, the third spinoff of the Star Trek franchise, was revolutionary in its ambitions and its storytelling. With characters deeply rooted in political and social conventions and various interwoven story arcs that unfolded over the course of its seven seasons, it achieved something that few other TV shows of its era were able to. As such, the show had several iconic characters that are worth revisiting.
Kira Nerys (played by Nana Visitor) is a former Bajoran freedom fighter who is the station’s Bajoran liaison officer. Her character arc follows her from being a minor but important voice in the politics of the Bajoran-Cardassian occupation, to a full-fledged leader in a fight for freedom. As the show progressed, Kira served as a moral compass who guided the choices of other characters, often providing them with words of wisdom.
Another iconic character is Odo, who was played by René Auberjonois. Odo, a Changeling, is the station’s head of security who struggled throughout the show with accepting his origins and how they define and limit him. As one of the few changeling characters in the entire Star Trek universe, Odo’s arcs were twofold: his journey to find acceptance and his exploration of what it means to be human.
Jadzia Dax (played by Terry Farrell), is one of the most interesting characters in the show. Ajoined to a symbiont, she is the amalgamation of the past personas of her hosts, giving her the memories and experiences of generations. A competent Starfleet officer and a comrade of her crewmates at the station, Jadzia Dax is a unique and powerful character whose many facets have fascinating implications.
Garak (played by Andrew Robinson) is an exile from the Cardassian Union and a key figure in the Cardassian politics of the series. Initially seen as a shady character with hidden motives, he eventually became a trusted ally. As a former operative of the Obsidian Order and a master of cunning and deception, Garak provided some of the most interesting plotlines and character arcs of the show.
These are just four of the many remarkable characters onDeep Space Nine. Here are some of the other great characters worth mentioning:
Deep Space Nine has some of the most iconic and compelling characters in the entire Star Trek universe. From Kira Nerys, to Odo, Jadzia Dax and Garak, each character was unique and brought their own unique contributions to the unfolding stories.