Played by Nana Visitor, Kira Nerys is one of the main characters from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, the third series in the Star Trek universe franchise. A Bajoran militia officer assigned to act as Commander Benjamin Sisko's (Avery Brooks) second in command on board the station, Nerys is one of the breakout characters from the series, but originally, she was an entirely different character.
In fact, before The Next Generation's Worf (Michael Dorn) joined the show in Season 4, another The Next Generation alum was considered for the role of Sisko's Bajoran militia officer: Michelle Forbes, who played Ensign Ro Laren. In the early stages of development for Deep Space Nine, Ro Laren was set to become a major character, but the role shifted to Visitor when Forbes turned it down. Here's who Ensign Ro Laren was, and why Michelle Forbes didn't return to Star Trek for Deep Space Nine.
Star Trek's Ensign Ro Laren
Following the departure of Wesley Crusher (Will Wheaton) in TNG's fourth season, the show introduced a new character who took his place at the bridge's comms. Ro Laren, a Bajoran, was everything Wesley was not. Before joining the Enterprise, Laren served on the USS Wellington, but during an away mission, she disobeyed direct orders that led to the other team members' deaths. Laren was court-martialed for her offense and sentenced to prison. However, Starfleet released the disgraced officer in exchange for her help tracking a Bajoran terrorist. Laren proved herself during the mission, impressing Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart), who became convinced of her potential and requested that she remain onboard the Enterprise.
Laren became a valued member of the crew, forming close bonds with Picard and the ship's bartender, Guinan, during her tenure on the show. But in the seventh season, she defects from Starfleet and joins the Maquis, a rebellious group of Starfleet colonists and former officers fighting against the Cardassian occupation of their homes. However, just before she leaves the Enterprise to join the Maquis, she expresses regret for having betrayed Picard's trust.
Why Michelle Forbes Didn't Return For DS9
In an interview with TrekToday, Forbes explained why she didn't return to play Ro Laren in Deep Space Nine. "If I'd gone on to do DS9, I might not have had the variety I've been lucky to have in my career," she said. "That's not to say I wasn't grateful for the opportunity; I genuinely was. However, I had to make a choice that felt right for me, which was a difficult one."
Despite turning down the role in Deep Space Nine, Forbes would go on to have a solid career and play other morally grey characters like Admiral Helena Cain in the remake of Battlestar Galactica. Ro paved the way for complex characters like Nerys, and it's hard to imagine Deep Space Nine without the Bajoran that was inspired by the TNG character.