32 Years Ago, Star Trek Wrote Out the Underrated Cult Hero Who Turned Down Both Deep Space 9 & Voyager

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It’s been over three decades since a beloved but often overlooked Star Trek character last appeared on screen – a gap that lasted nearly 29 years before her return. While the Star Trek universe has seen many characters over the years, some of the most popular ones have crossed over into multiple shows. One character, in particular, was a fan favorite on Star Trek: The Next Generation and was originally intended to be the central figure of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. However, the actress declined that role, significantly altering the direction of DS9.

Michelle Forbes last played Ro Laren on Star Trek: The Next Generation in the episode “Preemptive Strike” on May 16, 1994. Although producers initially intended to center the series Deep Space Nine around her character, she turned down that opportunity. As a result, “Preemptive Strike” marked her final appearance in the Star Trek universe for nearly three decades, until she returned in the Star Trek: Picard Season 3 episode, “Imposters,” on March 16, 2023.

Michelle Forbes Rejected Both Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Star Trek: Voyager

The initial idea for Star Trek: Deep Space Nine wasn’t quite what viewers ultimately saw on screen. Originally, the series was going to depict the Cardassians – a race similar to Nazis – harshly ruling the planet Bajor, routinely enslaving and killing its people. However, when the show began, the Cardassian occupation had already ended. Starfleet was then tasked with operating Deep Space Nine and helping Bajor rebuild its government. Commander Benjamin Sisko (played by Avery Brooks) led the Starfleet team, with Major Kira (Nana Visitor), a former member of the Bajoran resistance, serving as his second-in-command.

The initial idea for Star Trek: Deep Space Nine wasn’t what the final show became. Originally, the producers planned to have some characters from The Next Generation – like Chief O’Brien – transfer over. Ro Laren was also intended to join the new series, but the actress who played her decided not to continue with the role. This led to the creation of the character Major Kira. This change happened during the fifth season of The Next Generation, and Deep Space Nine moved forward without Ro Laren. While she did appear in a couple of episodes in seasons six and seven of The Next Generation (“Rascals” and “Preemptive Strike”), those were her only appearances.

Naomi Nagata’s last appearance was in the episode ‘Preemptive Strike,’ which properly introduced the Maquis. Captain Picard tasked her with intensive tactical training before sending her undercover to earn the trust of the Maquis. She ultimately grew to support their goals and fully resigned from Starfleet to join them. Later, she was offered a role on Voyager with the Maquis crew, but she declined. It was generally believed that her subsequent disappearance meant her character had passed away.

According to the book The Fifty-Year Mission: The Next 25 Years: From The Next Generation to J.J. Abrams, actress Jamie Forbes was looking to transition from television to film. She landed some notable parts, including a role in Kalifornia which earned her a Saturn Award nomination. After that, Forbes didn’t appear in anything related to Star Trek for many years.

Ro Laren Finally Returned in Star Trek: Picard

Ro Laren returned to the Star Trek universe on March 16, 2023, through an article in Forbes and an appearance in Season 3 of Star Trek: Picard, specifically the episode “Impsters.” In the episode, she commands the USS Intrepid, which arrives to arrest Picard and Riker. It’s revealed that Ro had been in prison but sought redemption, and she asks Picard for assistance, as she believes a Changeling plot has infiltrated the highest ranks of Starfleet.

The scene where Ro and Picard made peace, and she gifted him her Bajoran earring, was particularly touching. It also marked her last appearance in the series. Realizing a bomb was on her shuttle, she bravely flew it into the Intrepid, damaging the ship but buying time to thwart the Changelings’ scheme. The earring contained vital intelligence about their plans. This poignant farewell was a wonderful moment for devoted Star Trek viewers and a fitting end to Ro Laren’s story.

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2026-05-15 05:10