Recasting Star Trek's visionary creator, always focused on pushing the boundaries on social issues, his ideal future was constricting when it came to interpersonal conflict. Famously, Roddenberry viewed Starfleet as a peaceful unit, and his vision did not allow for infighting within the crew or complicated relationships that could undermine the peace of his creation. This makes any attempt at a successful recast a potentially fraught process.
When Star Trek: Deep Space Nine debuted nearly thirty years ago, it introduced tumult and discord into Roddenberry's utopia. By centering the drama around the space station Deep Space Nine, the show was able to introduce main characters who were not beholden to Star Trek: The Next Generation. Starfleet mingled with Bajoran military and religious leaders, Klingon warriors, former Cardassian occupiers, and Ferengi merchants, at the edge of uncharted space with pervasive unknown threats. DS9 also changed the format from prior Star Treks, serializing larger story arcs over a larger scale than prior series had done.
And while Star Trek: Deep Space Nine may not have maintained the audience numbers that TNG did, it is arguable that Deep Space Nine has far more to do with the current crop of series than its predecessors. Shows like Star Trek franchise often "dream-cast" their favorite series, which the Kelvin timeline films allowed on a grand scale. With all this in mind, here's what recasting Star Trek: Deep Space Nine in 2022 could look like.
Sterling K. Brown as Benjamin Sisko
Commander (then Captain) Benjamin Sisko was brilliantly portrayed by Avery Brooks throughout Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's seven-season run, delicately balancing the commanding officer with the recently widowed father - both roles that the character took seriously. Brooks brought a subtlety to his portrayal of Sisko that can only be matched by another actor of extreme talent: Sterling K. Brown. It was critical for Deep Space Nine to have an African-American leader, and several storylines, including the incredible episode, "Far Beyond the Stars" bring that identity into sharp focus for viewers. Just as Brown has done in his work on Benjamin Sisko served as the heart and conscience of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, and Sterling K. Brown has proven his ability to play both the jovial dad and a speaker of hard truths in the same role as Randall Pearson.
Mary Elizabeth Winstead as Kira Nerys
Kira Nerys served as Sisko's First Officer throughout Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, and the Bajoran major (later to become commander, then captain) proved to be one of the most complicated of Star Trek characters to date. Unlike much of the Star Trek universe, 10 Cloverfield Lane. Winstead has earned the right to be called an action star, but still has the range to play the complex Kira. She is also capable of the femininity and wit that Visitor brought to the role of Kira Nerys, and would serve as an excellent First Officer.
Mark Strong as Odo
Odo, Cruella, could provide an amazing portrayal of the complicated Odo, especially given his trademark straight man style. With the advances in special effects and makeup, the appearance of the Changeling may be different than the original, but Strong could provide a sense of continuity even in an updated series.
Tatiana Maslany as Jadzia Dax
17 different clones in Orphan Black, all with different personalities, appearances, and experiences. Maslany has proven that she can be brutal in clone Helena, an assassin trained to kill those that are like her. She was comionate as clone Cosima, and hilarious as soccer mom clone Allison. If anyone (besides the amazing Terry Farrell, who originated the role of Jadzia Dax) can pull off the complex and endearing character, it is Maslany.
Dev Patel as Dr. Julian Bashir
Dr. Julian Bashir, the chief medical officer on Deep Space Nine, was originally played by Alexander Siddig, later known for his role as Doran Martell in Modern Love, and his British accent is just what the character needs to achieve perfect Julianisms.
Matt Berry as Quark
Though the Ferengi barkeeper, Quark, wasn't a member of Starfleet, the economically-minded character, brilliantly played by Armin Shimerman, embodied everything that made Star Trek: Deep Space Nine fresh and new. Always scheming to make a profit, Quark balanced his The Book of Boba Fett, Berry has proven he's perfect to play the role of the cranky, quirky Quark.
Joe Lo Truglio as Rom
One of the most unique parts of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine was the show's ability to delve into a variety of family dynamics, due to the varied inhabitants of the space station. And no family dynamics were quite as entertaining as that of the Ferengi that ran the station's bar, Quark, along with his brother Rom, and Rom's young son, Nog. Rom, played by Max Grodénchik, was often shown as the opposite of his brother, including romantically-challenged Charles Boyle, Lo Truglio mastered the art of emasculating himself, while maintaining a reputation for great detective work, being a wonderful father and friend, and truly caring about his coworkers, and viewers would be handsomely rewarded with interactions between Lo Truglio and a Matt Berry-portrayed Quark.
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Shohreh Aghdashloo as Kai Winn
Religious leader, Kai Winn Adami, spent much of her time on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine in conflict with the main characters, but the character herself had her people's best interest at heart, even if her actions were suspect. Originally played by Louise Fletcher, who famously played Nurse Ratched in The Expanse. The politically minded, f-bomb-dropping Avasarala stole every scene that she was in, just as Fletcher's Winn did, and viewers would be warmly rewarded to see the Iranian-American Aghdashloo take on the role of the antagonistic Kai Winn.
Peter Stormare as Gul Dukat
Another thing that Star Trek: Deep Space Nine did exceptionally well was the development of its morally gray antagonists. This is especially true of Cardassian Gul Dukat, played by Marc Alaimo, who was the commander of the space station under Cardassian occupation. His history with Kira's family and terrorist cell, his hatred of Elim Garak, and his eventual possession by the Pah-wraiths led to a deep understanding of the character who began the series as a typical, two-dimensional Star Trek villain. The perfect person to be recast as this deeply flawed character is Swedish actor Peter Stormare, who has gained fame playing the The Big Lebowski.
Cillian Murphy as Garak
No character in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine was shrouded by as much mystery as Cardassian exile, Elim Garak. Working as a tailor, the always-in-the-know Garak was played by Andrew Robinson. Developing an unlikely friendship with Dr. Bashir, Garak relaxed but never seemed to let his guard down. The character constantly offered an element of surprise throughout the series. Allegedly a spy and assassin, Garak was sharply observant, witty, and cunning, while shadowed with the implication that he was capable of great violence, not unlike Peaky Blinders. Also like Tommy, Garak fell in love with tragic results, leaving a harder, more damaged man behind. Viewers could expect clever banter, subtle brutality, and blade-sharp timing from Murphy, were he to be recast in this role.
Domnhall Gleeson as Chief Miles O'Brien
Originating on TNG before ing DS9, the character of Miles O'Brien is both long-suffering and well-loved. And while it's difficult to imagine the chief engineer being played by anyone other than Colm Meaney, his dedication, ingenuity, and self-deprecating sense of humor are a must. That is why another Irish actor, Domnhall Gleeson, is a good fit for the role. Prone to playing slightly confused characters with a twisted sense of humor, Gleeson is known for his roles in Lower Decks has given O'Brien the respect he deserves, perhaps a recast O'Brien could even get a promotion.
Ali Wong as Keiko O'Brien
A final consideration is Keiko O'Brien - botanist, school teacher, mother, long-suffering wife, and extremely understanding life partner to Chief Mile's O'Brien. Always Be My Maybe, Wong could prove to be the same sort of bright spot in the recast as Tig Notaro has been on Discovery.