Behind the Badge with Some of the Deep Space Nine Crew!

October 9, 2025

Nana Visitor: When I think about my place in the franchise, I feel immensely lucky. Star Trek is a frequency where I have connected to people all over the world–literally–and where we start our conversation on common ground. It has kept me in these conversations for over 30 years, and brought me close to not only to the other actors in DS9, but also people from all the other iterations. These are some of the dearest relationships in my life. To feel purposeful in the work you’ve done, to have continuing community, to see the positive effect the show has had–wow. 

Armin Shimerman: I am very proud to be part of something that has given hope and the comforting feelings of support for so many millions of people. I am blessed and awed at the privilege and honor. 

Terry Farrell: I feel like I am one of the luckiest people alive to have had the privilege of playing Dax on DS9. It was a dream come true to be a part of a legacy franchise that influenced my life when I was very young. I am honored to be even a small part of this outstanding family that gives me love, support and community. Not only that, but to be the Science Officer, just like my favorite character of Spock. I am so proud to be a part of a movement, the Star Trek movement of peace, inclusion, and respect for all living beings as we reach for the stars together and embody the hope for a better future for all.  

Chase Masterson: Peldor joi! When I think of how honored and grateful I am to be part of the incomparable legacy of Star Trek, I think of the Bajoran Gratitude Festival–and how with every interaction with this phenomenal franchise, my heart feels like a galaxy full of gratefulness and love. For the unparalleled stories. For the opportunity to celebrate everything this show means on the Cruise. And for the fun with the fans. There is truly nothing like you. ❤️  

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Nana Visitor: When I did the research for my book on the cultural impact of the show–OPEN A CHANNEL, I really understood and respected the far-reaching ripple effect it’s had. A child in the Italian Alps, with no example of a woman in STEM in her life, saw a character that was a woman engineer in Star Trek. Seeing that possibility made her believe it could be possible for her, and she grew up and in fact became an engineer. And an Italian fighter pilot, an astronaut and a mother of two. This amazing woman, Samantha Christoforetti, was famously photographed in Space in her Starfleet uniform. She is just one example of extraordinary people I spoke to who changed what they dreamed of for their future because of Star Trek. The impact of storytelling, I have come to believe, is profound, and I’m humbled to be a part of it. 

Armin Shimerman: Countless Star Trek shows and movies that have also spawned enumerable pastiches and references, not to mention national movements like “Operation Warp Speed” are undeniable facts that Star Trek has had a gigantic impact on culture and entertainment. As to Star Trek’s effect on me personally, it is akin to winning the Irish sweepstakes and being counted as one of the luckiest people alive. 

Terry Farrell: The impact of Star Trek on our culture, for me, has been seeing the people that feel othered and disenfranchised, embraced and accepted for who they truly are without judgement, ridicule and disrespect for simply being human. Moving through my life as an ambassador to the message of Star Trek has enriched my life with connection, support and love. All of us representing our franchise and the spaces we gather in, allows us to embrace each and every one of our fans. Celebrating the joy of being in an all-inclusive environment at all of our conventions. I think we are the melting pot of acceptance, and we are a safe place for everyone. Star Trek not only raises the bar for our culture and our humanity, but it inspires the hope that we all can see past our differences and come together and see our commonalities. We embrace everyone and move forward working together for a better future, a better world for all of us.  

Chase Masterson: My mind and heart have flourished because of Star Trek. When I was cast on the show, I was still figuring out who I am. The themes of commitment and optimism to build a better future, and the insight that we all belong on the crew doing that–those are intrinsic parts of who I am now. I grew into that through Star Trek’s stories, as well as seeing the fans’ examples of doing good in the world. This franchise does for countless people what it did for me. Pop culture and the world are kinder, more inclusive, more equitable–and more exciting–because of Star Trek. 

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Nana Visitor (Kira Nerys): Because I played an alien, I was allowed to fill Kira with the woman that I was. The woman of the 90s, especially in Hollywood, was agreeable, reasonable, and ready to cater to others. As a Bajoran, I was able to color outside the prescribed box of leading lady and have appetites, faults, emotions, and learn and progress through it all. There are some aspects of Kira that were uniquely her experience that have stayed with me–after all, if you drop thoughts in your head consistently over many years, it will do something to your brain patterning. Since we did the show for the most packed and intense 7 years of my life, I consider the time spent shooting the show to be like dog years. So, to me, I spent 49 years as Kira. It’s gonna have an effect.

Armin Shimerman (Quark): I have played Quark on four different Star Trek series. Except for sharing the biological trait of having large ears and the social gift of endless charm, Quark and I have nothing in common, although neither one of us owns a moon. 

Terry Farrell (Jadzia Dax): I played the character of Dax. I was extremely fortunate to have the writers create a character that spoke to values I aspire to personally. Obviously, I’m not a scientist or an alien with hundreds of years of experience and I’m not pansexual but I admire her evolved way of being. I brought myself to Dax and the line is blurry to me because I want to be like her always. So, to unpack our differences and similarities is a difficult task for me, we are forever intertwined.  

Chase Masterson (Leeta): I’d like to think that Leeta and I are a lot alike–being resilient, standing up to injustice, seeing past a person’s exterior, being capable of love as a verb, having compassion, and curiosity, and an ability to blend culturally. Not being focused on Latinum. And having a sense of fun. How are we different? I refuse to cook tube grubs.  

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Nana Visitor: I couldn’t possibly. There are so many that I truly love. But I do have a specific partner in crime on the ship and I can’t wait to see what we get up to this time–Denise Crosby. 

Armin Shimerman: All the people who I run into and whom I haven’t seen for a while.  

Terry Farrell: Everyone. Truly. I am gob smacked when I see how this community has been building over the years. To have the opportunity to befriend actors and creatives in other Star Trek shows and to see our family grow is inspiring. There isn’t another acting job where I’ve had the opportunity to get to know my fellow actors and their families over decades. And this was only possible because of our supportive and generous fans, who are the heart and soul of our conventions! You the fans have created our community, without you we would not be able to have our tight bonds. I am forever grateful to you and I’m excited to see you all! 

Chase Masterson: I am most excited to see the fans. Yep, you, and you, and you. And I always look forward to seeing Max and the gang, of course. But the most fun and joyful time is hanging out with old fan-friends and making new. There’s nothing like that– can’t wait to see you! 😍🖖