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Nana Visitor initially turned down the role of Major Kira on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

BBG News

As a gamer who’s spent countless hours exploring the vast galaxies of Star Trek, I can wholeheartedly say that Nana Visitor’s portrayal of Major Kira on Deep Space Nine was nothing short of a masterclass in character development. It’s fascinating to delve into the behind-the-scenes story of how this iconic role came to be, and it serves as a reminder that sometimes, the best opportunities can come from unexpected places.

Nana Visitor starred for seven seasons as Major Kira (later Colonel Kira) on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Her character was intricate; she had joined a terrorist group with the aim of defeating the Cardassians, and throughout the series, she grappled with feelings of guilt and resentment that made her one of the most compelling characters on the show. Initially, Visitor declined this role as her manager warned it would harm her career because it was a part in a sci-fi TV series, which weren’t highly valued in the 1990s. At that time, getting typecast could negatively impact an actor’s future opportunities. [Adapted from Variety]

Producer Rick Berman reached out to Visitor personally, providing additional details about the character of Major Kira and his vision for her development on the show. In their discussion, Berman successfully persuaded Visitor to audition for the role, as it presented an opportunity to explore a different side of her acting range compared to the roles she typically received.

“By the end of the call, he had convinced me that I did want to be a part of it whether it impacted the rest of my career or not. When I read the script, I thought, ‘That’s a man’s role. That’s not for me.’ Yet it was all I wanted to do. I hated every part that I had to play where I was chastising a husband or getting upset about the carpet. And I did a lot of those. Any time I could get my teeth into something, that was my flow state. That’s why I was an actor. Major Kira was like Disneyland for an actor.

Nana Visitor

Initially, audience members were unsure about Major Kira due to her assertive demeanor and disregard for criticism. She embodied a powerful female character who fearlessly advocated for her beliefs, even confronting Commander Sisko when necessary – a trait uncommon among Starfleet characters at that time. However, it was important to remember that Major Kira’s strength stemmed from her military background, which made her view the world more complexly rather than in simple terms of right and wrong.

Some people in the ‘Star Trek’ world were like, ‘That’s not what a woman in “Star Trek” should be. That’s the wrong thing to be teaching. But what I saw her as was a woman of appetite and gray area — lots of gray area. Very fallible, but growing and trying. And that’s all over television now.

Nana Visitor

Throughout the changing seasons, Major Kira became a cherished member of the Deep Space Nine crew and developed a deep affection with the shape-shifting chief of security, Odo (portrayed by the late Rene Auberjonois). Major Kira’s personal journey was captivating on its own, but her unique romance with Odo catapulted them into a beloved couple for many Star Trek enthusiasts. We are grateful that Visitor agreed to join Deep Space Nine, despite her initial reservations, as it allowed us to witness this extraordinary relationship unfold.

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2024-10-12 17:23

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