Every Deep Space Nine Character Who Returned in Later Trek Shows

The 1990s Star Trek series, Deep Space Nine, significantly changed the direction of the franchise. Created by Rick Berman and Michael Piller, it moved away from the standalone adventures of previous shows like The Original Series and The Next Generation, opting instead for a continuous story arc set in a single location. Over seven seasons, Deep Space Nine explored more complex and political themes, eventually leading to a large-scale war. Fortunately, the starbase was guided by the strong leadership of Benjamin Sisko, as portrayed by Avery Brooks.

While Deep Space Nine initially lived in the shadow of The Next Generation, it’s since become a beloved favorite among fans. Many now consider it one of the best Star Trek series ever made, and its impact is clear in recent shows. Several of DS9‘s original actors have even appeared in shows like Lower Decks, Picard, Prodigy, and Starfleet Academy. We’ve compiled a complete list of all those DS9 character returns, from quick, silent appearances to full story arcs.

10) Morn (Voyager, Lower Decks)

Mark Allen Shepherd’s character, Morn, became a running joke throughout Deep Space Nine. First appearing as a customer at Quark’s bar, the Lurian alien was consistently described as being very talkative, even though he never actually spoke. He reappeared in the Voyager premiere, “Caretaker” (1995), sitting at Quark’s bar just like he did on DS9. Almost thirty years later, the Lower Decks episode “Hear All, Trust Nothing” brought him back to his familiar seat. Set in 2381, the episode established that Morn has seemingly been a permanent fixture at Quark’s bar all along.

9) Leeta (Lower Decks)

Leeta, originally known as a cheerful Dabo girl on Deep Space Nine, evolved into an important player in Ferengi and Bajoran affairs. In a recent episode of Lower Decks (“Parth Ferengi’s Heart Place”), she reappears as the chief aide to Grand Nagus Rom. The episode centers on Ferenginar’s bid to join the Federation, and Leeta quickly proves to be the driving force behind the negotiations. While Rom acts somewhat naive, Leeta expertly manages complicated trade deals, exploits legal loopholes, and cleverly influences Starfleet – consistently outsmarting Captain Freeman and her crew.

8) Rom (Lower Decks)

Originally presented as Quark’s clumsy and mistreated brother, Max Grodenchik’s character Rom develops into a talented engineer who provides a contrast to typical Ferengi selfishness. His story reaches a peak when he becomes the Grand Nagus. Later, in the Lower Decks episode “Parth Ferengi’s Heart Place,” we see how he uses this power. As Grand Nagus, Rom has largely eliminated laws that discriminate against others. The episode starts with Rom appearing immature and preoccupied with baseball while Leeta handles negotiations. However, it’s revealed this was a deliberate test: Rom wanted to see if Starfleet would treat Ferengi culture with the same assertive bargaining tactics they’d expect from others. When Captain Freeman proves she’s up to the challenge, Rom recognizes her as an equal.

7) Benjamin Sisko (Starfleet Academy)

The ending of the Deep Space Nine episode “What You Leave Behind” was famously shocking, as Commander Benjamin Sisko seemingly vanished into the Celestial Temple. His vow to return left fans wondering for years. Now, the Starfleet Academy episode “Series Acclimation Mil” finally brings Sisko back, using audio from Avery Brooks’ 2007 spoken-word album, Here, with the actor’s permission. The recording explores themes of spirituality, love, and acceptance. While Brooks didn’t record any new lines, and the episode takes place almost 800 years after the events of DS9, this poignant moment establishes Sisko’s lasting legacy as a legendary figure in the Federation.

6) Kira Nerys (Lower Decks)

Kira Nery, who started as a rebel fighter, rises to become the leader of Deep Space Nine. In a recent episode of Lower Decks, we see her as a Colonel still in charge of the station, with a touching reminder of Commander Sisko – his baseball remains on her desk, a callback to a previous episode. When a scheme involving Quark’s illegal technology is uncovered, Kira ensures he faces consequences, claiming a significant share of his earnings. Throughout the episode, she contemplates the absence of both Odo and Sisko, revealing both her dedication to protecting the station and the solitude she feels as its guardian.

5) Quark (Voyager, Lower Decks)

Armin Shimerman’s character, Quark, quickly reappeared after his introduction on Deep Space Nine. He makes a brief cameo in the very first episode of Voyager, set in 2371, where he’s running his bar on Deep Space Nine as Commander Chakotay and Tom Paris pass through. This small appearance helps connect the two shows and also features Morn. Later, in Lower Decks, we see Quark has become incredibly successful, turning his once-struggling bar into a galactic empire with many locations. An episode also shows a Quark’s themed around the “Starfleet Experience,” where he playfully mocks Federation culture to make a profit.

4) Odo (Picard, Prodigy)

The finale of Deep Space Nine showed Odo leaving to rejoin the Great Link, hoping to help the Founders overcome their prejudice against solids and stop future conflicts. For years, viewers have wondered if his mission was successful. Season 3 of Picard finally answers this question in the episode “Seventeen Seconds.” Worf shares that a Changeling friend—someone he describes as honorable and committed to his principles even within the Great Link—warned him about extremist groups who refused to accept the Dominion’s defeat. This suggests that Odo has stayed true to himself and is still working to prevent another war.

Odo appears in an episode of Star Trek: Prodigy called “Kobayashi” as part of Starfleet’s famous training simulation. Using footage of the late René Auberjonois, a holographic version of Odo serves as a security officer during the simulation, acting as both a nod to the character’s history and a tribute to Auberjonois, who passed away in 2019.

3) Jake Sisko (Starfleet Academy)

As a huge Star Trek fan, I always appreciated Jake Sisko. While everyone else was off having adventures in Starfleet, he really stood out by choosing to be a writer and journalist. It was a cool choice, and episodes like “Nor the Battle to the Strong” and “The Visitor” showed him acting almost like the voice of reason, reporting on everything that was happening during the war. It was neat seeing him pop up in the Starfleet Academy episode as a hologram in the Sisko museum – it really solidified that he became a respected author and historian, and his writing was key to making sure people remembered what happened during the Dominion War. He wasn’t a captain or an officer, but he definitely left his mark!

Throughout these moments, Jake thinks about his mixed feelings regarding Benjamin’s job as Emissary. He even admits he used to be jealous of the time Benjamin spent with the Prophets, but he eventually realized that Benjamin’s important role didn’t diminish his love as a father. Jake also reveals he became a father himself, something Benjamin had hoped for many years ago, as seen in the episode “The Visitor.”

2) Illa Dax (Starfleet Academy)

The Dax symbiont, a lifeform that joins with hosts over time, has lived within several characters in Star Trek, including Curzon, Jadzia, and Ezri. Each host adds to a continuing story about balancing a long life with centuries of memories. In Starfleet Academy, we meet Professor Illa (played by Tawny Newsome), the current host of the over 1,100-year-old Dax. She teaches SAM and protects a manuscript written by Jake Sisko.

Throughout the episode, we learn small details – like the knowledge of Sisko’s gumbo recipe, her habit of calling him “Benjamin” instead of “Captain Sisko,” and owning the last known copy of a book called Anslem. Once Illa reveals who she really is, the whole story takes on a new meaning.

1) Worf (Picard)

Michael Dorn’s portrayal of Worf, the famous Klingon officer, began on Star Trek: The Next Generation. However, it was during his time on Deep Space Nine that his character truly became a complex warrior. Through his relationship with Jadzia and a period of political exile, Worf was challenged to examine his own violent tendencies. In Season 3 of Picard, Worf returns as a Captain working secretly with Starfleet Intelligence alongside Raffi Musiker. He previously commanded the Enterprise-E, which was disabled under unclear circumstances. Showrunner Terry Matalas describes this version of Worf as a more subdued character – a warrior who now values peace, but remains a formidable fighter.

A cut scene from the movie “The Bounty” showed how Worf dramatically changed. Years of relentlessly pursuing Changelings made him increasingly paranoid and aggressive, culminating in the accidental death of an innocent person. This event caused him to reject violence completely and become a pacifist. Later, when he rejoined Picard, Riker, Data, and Geordi on the rebuilt Enterprise-D, Worf faced the Borg. By helping to defeat the alliance between the Changelings and the Borg, he brought a storyline that began on DS9 full circle. Having appeared in 283 episodes and films throughout the franchise, Worf remains one of the most fascinating characters in Star Trek history.

Which character’s return on Deep Space Nine surprised you the most? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion in the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-02-13 18:13