Before Star Trek’s DS9 Tribute, Cirroc Lofton “Lost Hope” It Would Happen

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Cirroc Lofton was worried that Captain Benjamin Sisko (played by Avery Brooks) and the series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine wouldn’t receive the recognition they deserved. Fortunately, the fifth episode of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy – written by Kirsten Beyer and Tawny Newsome, and directed by Larry Teng – beautifully honored Avery Brooks’ legacy and paid tribute to Deep Space Nine.

The fifth episode of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy marked Cirroc Lofton’s first return to the role of Jake Sisko since Star Trek: Deep Space Nine concluded in 1999. Both fans of Deep Space Nine and Lofton himself had hoped for this moment. While the new Star Trek series on Paramount+ has brought back many familiar characters from past shows, some viewers noticed the absence of any mention or acknowledgment of Captain Sisko’s long-awaited promotion – a point that felt notably missing.

As a huge Star Trek fan, I was really interested to hear Cirroc Lofton and Ryan T. Husk talk to Tawny Newsome on Cirroc’s podcast, The 7th Rule, about the fifth episode of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy. Cirroc was thanking Tawny for being such a champion for getting Deep Space Nine the recognition it deserves. He feels like Captain Sisko hasn’t gotten enough credit over the years, and this finally acknowledging Sisko’s impact on Star Trek is something fans have been waiting a long time for. He put it really well when he said…

Tawny, thank you so much for everything. This wonderful outcome is all thanks to your hard work and dedication. For years, Captain Sisko hasn’t received the recognition he deserves within Star Trek, and it feels like his story was often overlooked or avoided, with only indirect references to related topics like the Changelings. You persistently championed his importance and weren’t afraid to speak up and demand that his contributions be acknowledged. It’s long overdue, and we really appreciate you using your voice to ensure his story is finally told.

Following Tawny Newsome’s departure from The 7th Rule, Cirroc Lofton explained his belief that Star Trek had been sidestepping Captain Sisko. He praised Tawny for showing him that a proper tribute to Captain Sisko and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine could actually happen. Inspired by Tawny’s confidence, Cirroc agreed to reprise his role as Jake and, importantly, brought the project to Avery Brooks to get his approval and support. See Cirroc’s comments below:

I always believed there was an unspoken barrier within the Hollywood system preventing anyone from addressing that topic. It felt like people were deliberately steering clear of it. They’d discuss many things, but never Captain Sisko.

It was a really obvious oversight, and it seemed intentional. I started to wonder if they were deliberately avoiding the issue and didn’t want to discuss it. It felt like all the predictable patterns were unfolding, and honestly, I lost hope. It seemed like there had to be some hidden reason preventing progress, as if the topic was being actively avoided.

Honestly, when Tawny first floated the idea, my jaw dropped. I immediately started firing off questions – could this really happen? Would the network even allow it? Had this gone all the way up to the top brass? Thankfully, I got a clear answer: yes, they were serious, it was absolutely possible, and they were committed to honoring Mr. Brooks and everything he brought to the show in a respectful way. It was a huge relief, and a really exciting development.

Once I was sure this project came from a sincere place, and knowing Tawny was being honest about her personal connection to Deep Space Nine and her vision for the episode, I was immediately interested. However, I first needed to get Colm Wilkinson’s approval. I didn’t want to do anything that would disrespect or undo the work we’d already done. It was important to me that this felt like a natural continuation and a respectful tribute. With his blessing, I was completely committed to bringing the idea to life.

Watch Tawny Newsome and Cirroc Lofton on The 7th Rule below:

Often overlooked, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine aired between the popular Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Voyager during the 1990s, with Rick Berman as executive producer. This lack of recognition persisted for years; when Star Trek returned with new series like Picard, the cast of The Next Generation and Kate Mulgrew as Admiral Janeway (from Voyager), along with other Voyager actors, were brought back before anyone from Deep Space Nine, including Captain Sisko.

The animated series Star Trek: Lower Decks has become a surprising place for characters from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine to reappear, with Nana Visitor, Armin Shimerman, and Alexander Siddig all reprising their roles. While Michael Dorn returned as Worf in live-action, he’s best known for his time on Star Trek: The Next Generation, not his four seasons on DS9.

Cirroc Lofton gained a strong following within the Star Trek community starting in 2019, largely due to his podcast, The 7th Rule. Fans of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, and Lofton himself, often hoped he’d reprise his role as Jake Sisko on Paramount+’s Star Trek shows. However, bringing Jake back presented a challenge, as his character isn’t in Starfleet and his story is closely linked to his father, Captain Sisko.

Thanks to the efforts of Tawny Newsome, Kirsten Beyer, and executive producers Alex Kurtzman and Noga Landau, Cirroc Lofton has made history as the first actor from the original Star Trek: Deep Space Nine to return to their role in a live-action series. The fifth episode of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy beautifully honored Captain Benjamin Sisko and his lasting influence on Star Trek and its fans, proving that anything is possible.

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2026-02-09 04:29