Summary
- A potential revival of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine would benefit from the return of key characters such as Benjamin Sisko, Kasidy Yates, Jake Sisko, Jadzia Dax, Gul Dukat, Elim Garak, Dr. Julian Bashir, Ezri Dax, Miles O'Brien, Rom, Leeta, Quark, Colonel Kira Nerys, and Worf.
- While some original actors may not be able to reprise their roles, recasting or animated versions could still allow for their characters to continue in the story.
- The appearances of Deep Space Nine characters in recent Star Trek shows indicate that a revival is possible and that fans haven't seen the last of the beloved series.
If Star Trek: Deep Space Nine is revived for the modern era of Star Trek, its most important characters must return. Modern Star Trek shows hint at an updated Deep Space Nine, or at least a spiritual successor in the works, such as Star Trek: Prodigy is to Star Trek: Voyager. Colonel Kira Nerys (Nana Visitor) and Quark (Armin Shimerman) appear in Star Trek: Lower Decks' visit to DS9, and the USS Cerritos also catches up with Grand Nagus Rom (Max Grodénchik) and First Clerk Leeta (Chase Masterson) in a visit to Ferenginar. Notably, Star Trek: Picard features DS9's Changelings as adversaries, along with crossover favorite Worf (Michael Dorn).
The popularity of Star Trek: Picard season 3's Star Trek: The Next Generation cast reunion is probably the biggest clue that a Star Trek: Deep Space Nine revival would work. While any DS9 revival would be sadly incomplete without René Auberjonois as Constable Odo and Aron Eisenberg as Ensign Nog, due to both actors passing away,DS9 can still trade in a similar form of nostalgia. A new series can explore what happens years later, whether an animated project bridges just a short span of time or a live-action show like Picard catches up with characters in real-time, allowing the surviving cast of Deep Space Nine to reprise their roles. Here are the characters who must return for a DS9 revival:
13 Avery Brooks as Captain Benjamin Sisko 
At the end of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Captain Benjamin Sisko ascends to a higher plane to fulfill the will of the Prophets as the Bajoran Emissary, his destiny since DS9's beginning. While it's unlikely that Avery Brooks will return to Star Trek any time soon, Brooks requested a script change that includes Sisko's promise to return to his family, so there's at least an in-universe opportunity for Captain Sisko to come back, even if Brooks himself doesn't reprise his role. Should it become necessary to recast, the Prophets' existence outside linear time might provide an explanation for any differences. But Brooks may be persuaded to voice Captain Sisko for an animated DS9 revival.
12 Penny Johnson as Kasidy Yates with Benjamin Sisko's Unnamed Child 
Captain Kasidy Yates is a key part of Benjamin Sisko's journey. Kasidy becomes Benjamin's love interest in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and by the end of the series, Yates and Sisko are married with a child on the way. If Avery Brooks is unable to return to DS9, Sisko's story could continue with his child, now grown and contending with the fact that their father is the Emissary. There are opportunities for fascinating storytelling that would mirror Sisko's own struggle with identity, especially if his child grows up on DS9 with its predominantly Bajoran culture.
11 Cirroc Lofton as Jake Sisko 
Jake Sisko elects not to follow in his father's Starfleet footsteps and becomes a writer, finding his stride as a field reporter during the Dominion War. Jake's reporting career could give him a solid angle to join any story that a Star Trek: Deep Space Nine revival would tell, since its political backdrop prompts investigation by an outside source like the press, and Jake's familiarity with DS9 makes him a prime candidate for the assignment. Cirroc Lofton almost returned to Star Trek with a potential plot in Star Trek: Picard season 3 to essentially this effect, and it would be great to see it realized.
10 Terry Farrell as Jadzia Dax 
At the end of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine season 6, Jadzia Dax's death was a bad move prompted by behind-the-scenes tension, so including any version of Jadzia in a DS9 revival would likely be well-received by fans. While Star Trek has no shortage of resurrection methods, Jadzia Dax was a joined Trill, so her memories live on in the Dax symbiont, making the process of her return much easier. Star Trek: Discovery's blueprint for bringing a former Trill host back to life could come into play in Jadzia Dax coming back for an updated Deep Space Nine right along with the rest of the regular cast.
