Naomi could transform into the true hero of Ring Gates, Marco is arguably the biggest threat The Expanse has seen, murdering Ashford and launching a deadly attack on Earth without so much as breaking a sweat. What makes Marco more complicated than a regular misguided rebel figurehead, however, are his personal ties with Naomi Nagata.
The Expanse has always revolved around the central Rocinante quartet, but the lead protagonist is clearly James Holden. Constantly finding himself at the center of trouble and bestowed with the captaincy of the Rocinante, Holden is the most reluctant of science fiction heroes, cursed by an eternal compulsion to do the right thing. The crux of Holden's story so far has been embracing the responsibility thrust upon him and following his instinct for justice against all odds. Played by Dominique Tipper, Naomi is the engineer of the Roci and Holden's lover, but unlike her captain/bunk mate, Naomi's past is far more checkered.
Ever since The Expanse's first season began, Naomi's history with the OPA has been well documented. Before ing the Canterbury, Nagata was a far more controversial figure in the political sphere of The Expanse, romantically linked with a wanted criminal and giving birth to a son with him, whom she sadly left behind. That criminal was Inaros, and the son Filip, who also made his debut in season 4 as a Free Navy lackey under his father. While Naomi has been relatively open about her time in the OPA and past regrets, she hasn't yet come face-to-face with those demons exactly. However, with both Marco and Filip positioning themselves as the big bads of the Sol system in The Expanse's fifth season, that fated confrontation now looks imminent.
The presence of Marco and Filip in The Expanse season 5 will put Naomi's troubled past in the spotlight more than ever before, while also finally presenting an opportunity for closure and resolution. No doubt seeing (and potentially going up against) her own son and ex is going to be a traumatic experience, and how Naomi deals with that could redefine her character completely. If Naomi is able to face the ghosts of her past, resolve the situation with Marco, and make amends with Filip, then her personal growth over the course of season 5 could be the most significant personal story in The Expanse's history.
Portrayed by Steven Strait, Holden is a fantastic character in his own right, and his struggle to be the hero people expect is a deeply compelling arc. But the audience know from Avasarala's meeting with Holden's mother that the character has always been driven by idealism and a sense of justice. Holden might not be completely comfortable acting the hero, but it's a role he was perhaps destined to play. Naomi's evolution is different. Overcoming the adversity of being a Belter and making great personal sacrifice by leaving Filip, Naomi comes with baggage. A reunion in season 5 gives her the chance to settle things, and emerge from the other side stronger than ever before. Some would suggest that Naomi's shift from young OPA rebel to potential savior of the entire system could make her even more heroic than Holden.
Naomi has long been a fan favorite in The Expanse, but season 5 presents the character with her biggest, most emotional challenge yet. Motherly ties to Filip could turn Naomi against her friends on the Rocinante, but laying to rest those ghosts could prove to be Naomi's most important storyline.
The Expanse season 5 is currently without a release date.