10 Best Star Trek: The Next Generation Characters, Ranked

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When Star Trek: The Next Generation first aired, it was truly innovative. After a 30-year gap since the original Star Trek, there was no certainty it would be successful. The show also broke new ground with its characters, including a Klingon serving on the Enterprise and an android who filled a similar role to Spock, rather than a traditional alien.

Once these improvements worked, they ensured The Next Generation would be remembered fondly and paved the way for future success of the series. The show featured so many compelling characters that it’s difficult to pick out the very best.

10) Ro Laren

Ro Laren is a fascinating and multi-layered character in Star Trek: The Next Generation. As a Bajoran survivor of the Cardassian occupation, her difficult past heavily influenced her work as a Starfleet officer.

Ro Laren arrived in the fifth season of The Next Generation as a challenging and independent character – not exactly the type of officer Captain Picard preferred. Unfortunately, his initial reservations proved correct when she ultimately joined the Maquis in the series finale, a significant disappointment for Picard, who had taken a chance on her. However, the journey of their relationship, evolving from initial distrust to something much stronger, was one of the show’s most captivating storylines.

9) Beverly Crusher

Every good science fiction show needs a skilled doctor who also has strong ethics, and Beverly Crusher is a perfect example. She was both a highly competent medical professional and a caring healer, making her an ideal member of the new Enterprise team.

One of the most captivating parts of Dr. Crusher’s character was her complicated connection with Captain Picard. They shared a deep trust and she often showed him subtle affection, creating a relationship that developed gradually and continues to be a popular topic of discussion among fans.

8)  Deanna Troi

Deanna Troi brought something new to Star Trek as a half-Betazoid with the ability to feel the emotions of those around her. This special skill made her an ideal counselor for the crew – a role that hadn’t been present in the original series.

Deanna Troi was much more than just a comforting presence as an empath. Her ability to understand others’ emotions actually made her a skilled negotiator, and her position as Commander proved she was a capable leader. It’s important to remember that her empathy wasn’t a perfect fix for every situation; sometimes, she couldn’t even access her abilities when interacting with alien cultures.

7) Guinan

Whoopi Goldberg’s character wasn’t a regular part of the core cast, and that was a good thing. Had she appeared too often, she risked becoming a caricature of herself. As Guinan, the bartender at Ten-Forward, she provided Picard with valuable emotional support and a confidential ear outside of his usual crew.

Guinan had the unique ability to sense the flow of time, which helped her understand people’s problems – a skill rare among alien races when she first appeared. However, it was her close relationship with Captain Picard that truly made her a beloved and unforgettable character.

6) Q

Q is a legendary villain from Star Trek. He’s similar to the powerful, god-like beings in Doctor Who, enjoying playful chaos and often causing problems. While he created plenty of trouble, Q was more of a trickster than truly malicious.

Picard considered Q a difficult opponent, but Q’s sarcastic wit also provided much-needed humor to the generally serious tone of the show. Although Q often caused problems, his actions ultimately pushed humanity to grow and improve.

5) Geordi La Forge

Geordi La Forge brought valuable diversity to the crew. He was one of the few Black crew members, and his blindness was overcome by a sophisticated prosthetic device. This device didn’t just restore his vision, it gave him the ability to perceive things beyond the range of normal human sight.

Knowing that Geordi La Forge was named in honor of a fan who lived with muscular dystrophy adds another layer to the character’s importance in disability representation. Plus, Geordi helped introduce a whole generation, many who grew up watching Reading Rainbow, to the acting skills of Levar Burton.

4) Worf

Adding a Klingon character to the crew of the Enterprise was a bold move, since Klingons were originally the villains of The Original Series. But this unexpected choice ultimately made Worf a deeply complex and compelling character.

Worf was a Klingon raised by humans, leading him to feel a stronger connection to them than most Klingons. This made him the first of his kind to become a Starfleet officer. As he grew older, Worf fully embraced his Klingon background, which sometimes created conflict between his warrior traditions and his responsibilities in Starfleet.

3) William Riker

As a longtime fan, I’ve always loved the dynamic between Picard and Riker. It reminded me a lot of Kirk and Spock – Riker was the perfect counterpoint to Picard’s strengths. While Picard was calmer than Kirk, he could sometimes get really focused on an idea and not see other options. That’s where Riker came in, always offering a different viewpoint. More than that, Riker wasn’t afraid to step in and prevent Picard from making truly reckless decisions, even if it meant disagreeing with him. He really kept Picard grounded.

Riker connected with Picard effectively because he was naturally likable. His charm, combined with his strong sense of right and wrong, made him a truly memorable character on The Next Generation.

2) Data

One of the groundbreaking aspects of The Next Generation compared to the original Star Trek was the inclusion of an android character. While many sci-fi shows explore the potential dangers of intelligent, human-like robots, The Next Generation took a unique approach.

Data, much like Spock in the original Star Trek series, was primarily guided by logic. But Data also had a genuine curiosity and a desire to understand people, which made him a beloved character on The Next Generation.

1) Jean-Luc Picard

It’s hard to imagine The Next Generation existing without Captain Picard. He fundamentally shaped the show’s atmosphere, bringing a sense of stability, composure even in crises, and a strong moral compass, all while hinting at a hidden depth and sensitivity.

As a huge Star Trek fan, I have to say Captain Picard really stuck with me. He was such a strong and captivating leader that it felt natural when he got his own series years down the line. It’s no surprise he’s become one of the most beloved characters in the franchise – he’s practically a pop culture icon! You see his face everywhere online, especially in memes, which just proves how much of an impact he’s made.

Which character from Star Trek: The Next Generation do you like best? Share your thoughts and discuss with other fans at the ComicBook Forum!

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2025-12-18 01:14