Journey through the stars: Get to know the diverse Star Trek characters
byChristian Saclao
Star Trek has been around for over 50 years so it’s no surprise that it has introduced a lot of compelling characterswho have left an indelible mark on popular culture. If you’re new to the universe created by Gene Roddenberryand want to meet all those StarTrekicons in a flash, one of the quickest ways is to read this article. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll introduce you to some of the legendary characters fromeach Star Trek TV series, starting fromThe Original Seriesto the latestStar Treks series,Strange New Worlds.
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Star Trek: The Original Series main characters (1966-1969)
Set in the 23rd century, The Original Seriesfollows the adventures of the starshipuss*nterprise(NCC-1701)and its crew. The three-season show features the following characters.
- Captain James T. Kirk(William Shatner) is the commanding officer of the USS Enterprise. Captain Kirk is a brilliant tactician and a skilled diplomat. He is also known for his charisma and his sense of adventure.
- Spock(Leonard Nimoy) is the first officer of the Enterprise. He is a half-human, half-Vulcan, which gives him a unique perspective on the galaxy. He is also a highly skilled scientist and a brilliant strategist.
- Leonard “Bones” McCoy(DeForest Kelley) is the chief medical officer of the Enterprise. Leonard McCoy is a curmudgeonly doctor who is known for his sharp wit and his dry humor. He is also a skilled surgeon and a dedicated physician.
- Montgomery “Scotty” Scott(James Doohan) is the chief engineer of the Enterprise. Montgomery Scott is a brilliant engineer who is known for his Scottish accent and his love of wordplay. He is also a skilled starship builder and a dedicated Starfleet officer.
- Nyota Uhura(Nichelle Nichols) is the communications officer of the Enterprise. She is a skilled linguist who is fluent in over 60 languages. She is also a strong advocate for equality and justice.
- Hikaru Sulu(George Takei) is the helmsman of the Enterprise. He is a skilled pilot who is known for his calm demeanor and his sense of duty. He is also a dedicated Starfleet officer.
- Pavel Chekov(Walter Koenig) is the navigator and security officer of the Enterprise. He is a skilled navigator who is known for his quick wit and his love of adventure. He is also a dedicated Starfleet officer.
- Christine Chapel (Majel Barrett) is the head nurse who works with Dr. McCoy aboard the Enterprise. She is always willing to go the extra mile to help her patients and often puts the needs of others before her own.
Star Trek: The Animated Series main characters (1973-1974)
The Animated Series features mostly the same Enterprise crew asThe Original Series. Here are The Original Series cast members who returned for The Animated Series as part of the voice cast:
- William Shatner as Captain James T. Kirk
- Leonard Nimoy as Spock
- DeForest Kelley as Dr. Leonard “Bones” McCoy
- James Doohan as Montgomery “Scotty” Scott
- Nichelle Nicholsas Nyota Uhura
- George Takei as Hikaru Sulu
- Majel Barrett as Christine Chapel
Star Trek: The Next Generation main characters (1987-1994)
The Next Generation (TNG) is set in the latter third of the 24th century when Earth is part of the United Federation of Planets. The seven-season series follows the adventures of the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise (NCC-1701-D) as they explore the galaxy, particularly the Alpha quadrant in the Milky Way. TNG features the following main characters:
- Captain Jean-Luc Picard(Patrick Stewart) is the commanding officer of the USS Enterprise-D. He is a wise and compassionate leader who is always willing to help others.
- William T. Riker(Jonathan Frakes) is the first officer of the Enterprise-D. He is a loyal and capable officer who is always ready to follow Picard’s orders.
- Data(Brent Spiner) is an android who is the second officer of the Enterprise-D. He is a brilliant scientist and a skilled officer who is always learning and growing.
- Geordi La Forge(LeVar Burton) is the chief engineer of the Enterprise-D. He is a skilled engineer who is always coming up with new and innovative solutions to problems.
- Worf(Michael Dorn) is the security chief of the Enterprise-D. He is a Klingon warrior who is always willing to fight for what he believes in.
- Deanna Troi(Marina Sirtis) is the ship’s counselor. She is a half-Betazoid who is able to sense other people’s emotions. She is a wise and compassionate counselor who is always willing to help others.
- Dr. Beverly Crusher(Gates McFadden) is the chief medical officer of Enterprise-D. She is a skilled doctor who is always willing to help others.
- Wesley Crusher(Wil Wheaton) is the son of Beverly Crusher. He is a brilliant young man who is always eager to learn new things.
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine main characters (1993–1999)
Also set in the 24th century,Deep Space Nine(DS9)centers on the eponymousspace stationDeep Space Nine. Unlike previous Star Trek TV series, DS9takes place primarily in a fixed location rather than a starship. The series follows the adventures of the diverse DS9 crew and inhabitants, who are as follows:
- Benjamin Sisko(Avery Brooks) is the commanding officer of Deep Space Nine. He is a strong and determined leader who is always willing to do what is right.
- Kira Nerys(Nana Visitor) is a Bajoran resistance fighter who becomes the first officer of Deep Space Nine. She is a fierce warrior who is always willing to fight for her people.
- Jadzia Dax(Terry Farrell) is a Trill symbiote who is the science officer of Deep Space Nine. She is a wise and experienced officer who is always willing to help others.
- Julian Bashir(Alexander Siddig) is a brilliant doctor who is the chief medical officer of Deep Space Nine. He is a kind and compassionate doctor who is always willing to help his patients.
- Jake Sisko(Cirroc Lofton) is Benjamin Sisko’s son. He is a young man who is trying to find his place in the world.
- Odo(René Auberjonois) is a changeling who is the security chief of Deep Space Nine. He is a mysterious and enigmatic figure who is always keeping his own counsel.
- Quark(Armin Shimerman) is a Ferengi bartender who owns the bar Quark’s on Deep Space Nine. He is a shrewd businessman who is always looking for a way to make a profit.
- Colm Meaney(Miles O’Brien) is the station’s chief engineer of Deep Space Nine. He is also a skilled engineer who is always coming up with new and innovative solutions to problems.
Star Trek: Voyager main characters (1995-2001)
Voyager is a seven-seasonStar Trekseries set in the 24th century. It follows the adventures of the starship USS Voyager, which is unexpectedly transported to the far reaches of the galaxy known as the Delta Quadrant. The show features the following Voyager crew:
- Kathryn Janeway(Kate Mulgrew) is the commanding officer of the USS Voyager. She is a strong and determined leader who is always willing to do what is right.
- Chakotay(Robert Beltran) is the first officer of Voyager and a former Maquis leader. He is a wise and experienced leader who is always willing to help others.
- B’Elanna Torres(Roxann Dawson) is the chief engineer of Voyager and a former Maquis member. She is a skilled engineer who is always coming up with new and innovative solutions to problems.
- Tom Paris(Robert Duncan McNeill) is the helmsman of Voyager and a former Starfleet officer. He is a charming and witty officer who is always looking for a way to have fun.
- Kes(Jennifer Lien) is an Ocampa nurse and medical apprentice until her departure from Voyager in 2374. She is a kind and compassionate woman who is always willing to help others.
- Neelix(Ethan Phillips) is the ship’s cook and morale officer. He is a quirky and eccentric man who is always looking for new ways to entertain the crew.
- The Doctor(Robert Picardo) is the holographic chief medical officer of Voyager. He is a brilliant doctor who is always willing to help his patients.
- Tuvok(Tim Russ) is the chief security/tactical officer of Voyager. He is a stoic and disciplined Vulcan who is always willing to follow orders.
- Seven of Nine(Jeri Ryan) is a former Borg drone who is rescued by Voyager. She is a strong and independent woman who is always learning about her human side.
- Harry Kim(Harry Wang)is the Operations Officer aboard the USS Voyager. He is responsiblefor overseeing the ship’s systems and communications.
Star Trek: Enterprise main characters (2001-2005)
Set in the 22nd century, chronologically preceding the formation of the United Federation of Planets, Enterprise follows the crew of Enterprise NX-01, Starfleet’s first starship capable of traveling at warp five. The four-season series follows the following characters:
- Jonathan Archer(Scott Bakula) is the commanding officer of the USS Enterprise NX-01. He is a strong and determined leader who is always willing to do what is right.
- T’Pol(Jolene Blalock) is the first officer of the Enterprise and a Vulcan science officer. She is a wise and experienced officer who is always willing to help others.
- Phlox(John Billingsley) is the chief medical officer of the Enterprise and a Denobulan doctor. He is a brilliant doctor who is always willing to help his patients.
- Malcolm Reed(Dominic Keating) is the chief security/tactical officer of the Enterprise. He is a skilled officer who is always willing to follow orders.
- Travis Mayweather(Anthony Montgomery) is the helmsman of the Enterprise. He is a skilled pilot who is always willing to take risks.
- Hoshi Sato(Linda Park) is the communications officer of the Enterprise. She is a talented linguist who is always willing to learn new languages.
- Charles “Trip” Tucker III(Connor Trinneer) is the chief engineer of the Enterprise. He is a skilled engineer who is always coming up with new and innovative solutions to problems.
Star Trek: Discovery maincharacters (2017-present)
Taking place approximately a decade before the events of The Original Series, Discovery follows the adventures of the starship USS Discovery and its crew, who are as follows:
- Michael Burnham(Sonequa Martin-Green): A Starfleet science specialist and the adopted sister of the original series character Spock. She is a strong and determined leader who is always willing to do what is right.
- Saru(Doug Jones): The first officer of the USS Discovery who becomes captain for the third season. He is a Kelpien, an alien race created for the series, who is a wise and experienced officer who is always willing to help others.
- Paul Stamets(Anthony Rapp): The astromycologist on the USS Discovery who is responsible for the spore drive, a new technology that allows the ship to travel faster than warp speed. He is a brilliant scientist who is always coming up with new and innovative solutions to problems.
- Sylvia Tilly(Mary Wiseman): The cadet who becomes a full bridge officer on the USS Discovery. She is a bright and eager young woman who is always willing to learn and grow.
- Gabriel Lorca(Jason Isaacs): The captain of the USS Discovery in the first season. He is a mysterious and enigmatic figure who is always keeping his own counsel.
- Hugh Culber(Wilson Cruz): The chief medical officer on the USS Discovery in the first season. He is a kind and compassionate doctor who is always willing to help his patients.
- Christopher Pike(Anson Mount): The captain of the USS Discovery in the second season. He is a strong and determined leader who is always willing to do what is right.
- Cleveland “Book” Booker(David Ajala): A character introduced in the third season of Star Trek: Discovery. He is a human who is a member of the Orion Syndicate. He is a skilled smuggler who is always willing to help others.
- Nhan(Rachael Ancheril): A character introduced in the third season of Star Trek: Discovery. She is an engineer and security officer who is a member of the Xahean species. She is a skilled warrior who is always willing to fight for what is right.
- Jett Reno(Tig Notaro): The chief engineer of the USS Hiawatha. She is a skilled engineer who is always coming up with new and innovative solutions to problems.
- Adira Tal(Blu del Barrio): A character introduced in the third season of Star Trek: Discovery. She is a Trill who is joined by the symbiote Tal. She is a kind and compassionate young woman who is always willing to help others.
- Gray Tal(Ian Alexander): A character introduced in the third season of Star Trek: Discovery. He is a Trill who is joined by the symbiote Gray. He is a kind and compassionate young man who is always willing to help others.
Star Trek:Picard main characters (2020-2023)
Focusing on the iconic character Jean-Luc Picard, the series takes place approximately 20 years after the events of The Next Generation and follows the retired Starfleet admiral as he is drawn back into interstellar affairs. Check out the main characters of the series below:
- Jean-Luc Picard(Patrick Stewart): A retired Starfleet admiral who is now living a quiet life in his family vineyard in France. He is a wise and experienced leader who is always willing to do what is right.
- Agnes Jurati(Alison Pill): A scientist who is working on a project to create synthetic lifeforms. She is a brilliant scientist who is also kind and compassionate.
- Soji Asha(Isa Briones): A synthetic lifeform who is trying to find her place in the world. She is a kind and compassionate young woman who is also very intelligent.
- Narek(Harry Treadaway): A Romulan spy who is working undercover on Earth. He is a skilled spy who is also very charming.
- Raffi Musiker(Michelle Hurd): A former Starfleet officer who is now a private investigator. She is a tough and resourceful woman who is also very loyal.
- Chris Rios(Santiago Cabrera): A pilot who is working with Picard on his mission. He is a skilled pilot who is also very charming.
- Elnor(Evan Evagora): A young Romulan who is training to be a warrior. He is a skilled warrior who is also very loyal.
- Seven of Nine(Jeri Ryan): A former Borg drone who is reintroduced as a member of the Fenris Rangers, a group of vigilantes who fight against injustice, inPicard.
- Jack Crusher (Ed Speelers): Theson of Beverly Crusher and Jean-Luc Picard.
Star Trek: Lower Decks main characters (2020-present)
Lower Decks offers a fresh and comedic take on the franchise. Unlike other Star Trek series that focuses on the senior officers or the commanding crew, Lower Decks shifts its perspective to the lower-ranking crew members serving aboard the USS Cerritos, a less prominent starship in Starfleet. The show features the following characters:
- Beckett Mariner(Tawny Newsome): A human ensign aboard the USS Cerritos who is the daughter of Captain Freeman. She is a talented officer who is often underestimated because of her lack of experience.
- Brad Boimler(Jack Quaid): A human ensign aboard the USS Cerritos who is a stickler for the rules and will need to learn how to improvise if he is to become a captain one day.
- D’Vana Tendi(Noel Wells): An Orion ensign in the medical bay aboard the USS Cerritos, Tendi is a big fan of Starfleet and is thrilled to be on a starship.
- Sam Rutherford(Eugene Cordero): A Starfleet ensign who is an engineering nerd and has a cybernetic implant.
- Captain Carol Freeman(Dawnn Lewis): The captain of the USS Cerritos, Freeman is a tough and experienced officer who is always willing to fight for what is right.
- Commander Jack Ransom(Jerry O’Connell): The first officer of the USS Cerritos, Ransom is a hard-driving officer who is always looking for ways to improve the ship.
- Lieutenant Shaxs(Fred Tatasciore): The tactical officer aboard the USS Cerritos, Shaxs is a skilled warrior who is always willing to fight for the crew.
- Doctor T’Ana(Gillian Vigman): The chief medical officer aboard the USS Cerritos, T’Ana is a no-nonsense doctor who is always willing to help her patients.
Star Trek: Prodigy main characters (2021-present)
Specifically targeted towards a younger audience,Prodigy follows a group of diverse and resourceful teenagers who find themselves aboard an abandoned starship in the Delta Quadrant. With the help of a holographic guide of the legendary Starfleet officer Captain Kathryn Janeway, the young protagonists embark on a thrilling adventure, navigating the ship and its advanced technology while unraveling the mysteries of the cosmos. Meet the show’s main cast below:
- Dal(Brett Gray): A 17-year-old human who is the leader of the group. He is a maverick who is always willing to take risks. (voiced by Brett Gray)
- Zero(Angus Imrie): A Medusan, a noncorporeal, genderless, energy-based lifeform. They are a wise and mysterious being who is always willing to help others. (voiced by Angus Imrie)
- Jankom Pog(Jason Mantzoukas): A 16-year-old Tellarite who is the comic relief of the group. He is a bit of a troublemaker, but he is also a loyal friend. (voiced by Jason Mantzoukas)
- Gwyn(Ella Purnell): A 17-year-old Vau N’Akat who is the engineer of the group. She is a brilliant engineer who is always willing to help others. (voiced by Ella Purnell)
- Murf(Dee Bradley Baker): An unknown species that is the pet of the group. They are a mischievous blob who is always getting into trouble. (voiced by Dee Bradley Baker)
- Rok-Tahk (Rylee Alazraqu): A Brikarian female who is an enthusiastic and compassionate individual. She is also a skilled xenobiologist and is fascinated by all life forms.
- Drednok(Jimmi Simpson): A sentient android who serves as the right-hand man of The Diviner. He is a ruthless and cruel being who is willing to do whatever it takes to achieve his goals.
- The Diviner (John Noble): The main antagonist of the first season of Prodigy. He is a Vau N’Akat, a species of insectoid aliens who are native to the Delta Quadrant. He is a ruthless and manipulative being who is willing to do whatever it takes to achieve his goals.
- Hologram Captain Kathryn Janeway(Kate Mulgrew): Kathryn Janeway’s holographic representation.
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds main characters (2022-present)
A spinoff from Discovery, Strange New Worlds focuses on the adventures of the USS Enterprise in the decade before Captain James T. Kirk assumes command of the starship. The series features the following characters:
- Christopher Pike(Anson Mount): The captain of the USS Enterprise. He is a wise and experienced leader who is always willing to help others.
- Spock(Ethan Peck): The science officer of the USS Enterprise. He is a Vulcan who is known for his logic and his ability to solve problems.
- Una Chin-Riley(Rebecca Romijn): The first officer of the USS Enterprise. She is an Illyrian who is known for her intelligence and her loyalty to Starfleet.
- Christine Chapel(Jess Bush): The nurse of the USS Enterprise. She is a kind and compassionate individual who is always willing to help others.
- La’an Noonien-Singh(Christina Chong): The chief security officer of the USS Enterprise. She is a human Starfleet officer who is known for her strength and her skills in combat.
- Nyota Uhura(Celia Rose Gooding): The communications officer of the USS Enterprise. She is a human who is known for her intelligence and her ability to speak multiple languages.
- Erica Ortegas(Melissa Navia): The helmsman of the USS Enterprise. She is a human who is known for her skills in piloting and her sense of humor.
- Joseph M’Benga(Babs Olusanmokun): The doctor of the USS Enterprise. He is a human who is known for his compassion and his ability to heal others.
- Hemmer(Bruce Horak): The chief engineer of the USS Enterprise. He is an Aenar who is known for his intelligence and his ability to fix anything.
