Performers considered for DS9 roles

This is a list of performers who were considered for Star Trek: Deep Space Nine roles, but ultimately did not appear in the role in the final episode or film. Performers listed here have been verified as having been considered by Star Trek personnel for a particular role on Trek in which they ultimately did not appear.

Performers considered for Star Trek roles
The Original Series • Films • The Next Generation • Deep Space Nine • Voyager • Enterprise • Discovery • Picard • Strange New Worlds
See also: Production staff members considered to work on Star Trek

Barbara Alyn Woods[]

Main article: Barbara Alyn Woods

Barbara Alyn Woods was considered and auditioned for the role of both Kira Nerys and Jadzia Dax. [1] [2] Alyn Woods had previously appeared as Kareen Brianon in TNG: "The Schizoid Man".

Richard Dean Anderson[]

Richard Dean Anderson was reportedly considered for the role of Commander Benjamin Sisko. (Science Fiction Television Series, 1990-2004: Histories, Casts and Credits for 58 Shows, p. 266)

Anderson came to the spotlight for his role of the title character in the television series MacGyver from 1985 to 1992. He later took the role of Jack O'Neill in the television series Stargate SG-1 from 1997 through 2007, Stargate Atlantis from 2004 to 2007 and Stargate Universe from 2009-2010.

Teri Austin[]

Teri Austin is a Canadian former actress, who was considered and auditioned for the role of Kira Nerys. [3]

Austin is best known for her role as Jill Bennett in the soap opera Knots Landing between 1985 and 1989. She has also appeared in such series as Quantum Leap (starring Scott Bakula and Dean Stockwell), Wings, Murder, She Wrote (starring William Windom) and Models, Inc..

James Avery[]

Main article: James Avery

James Avery was considered for the role of Benjamin Sisko, however, he was not available due to co-starring in the sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air at the time. [4] Avery later appeared as K'Vagh in ENT: "Affliction" and "Divergence".

Brigitte Bako[]

Brigitte Bako was considered and auditioned for the role of Jadzia Dax. [5]

Bako is a Canadian actress, best known for her roles in such series as Red Shoe Diaries and Californication, and such films as Strange Days (1995). She also lent her voice to such animated shows like Godzilla: The Series and Gargoyles.

Kathy Bates[]

Kathy Bates is a multiple award-winning actress, who was considered for the role of Opaka, however she did not do television projects at the time. [6]

Richard Beymer[]

Main article: Richard Beymer

Richard Beymer was considered for the role of Benjamin Sisko, however, he was busy directing a film at the time. [7] Later, Beymer played Li Nalas in the second season episodes "The Homecoming", "The Circle", and "The Siege".

Lisa Blount[]

Lisa Blount (1957 - 2010) was an American actress, who was considered and auditioned for the role of Kira Nerys. [8]

Blount appeared in films such as An Officer and a Gentleman (1982), Cease Fire (1985), and Blind Fury (1989), and series such as Murder, She Wrote (starring William Windom), Picket Fences, and Judging Amy. She also played a lead role in the cult classic Prince of Darkness, co-starring Jessie Lawrence Ferguson.

Jesse Borrego[]

Jesse Borrego was considered for the role of Julian Bashir. [9]

Kim Braden[]

Main article: Kim Braden

Kim Braden was considered and auditioned for the role of Kira Nerys. [10] Braden is the wife of "Emissary" director David Carson. She had previously appeared as Janet Brooks in TNG: "The Loss", and went on to play Elise Picard in Star Trek Generations, directed by Carson.

Suanne Braun[]

Suanne Braun auditioned and was initially accepted for the role of Arandis. However, by the time she arrived for her costume fitting, she was informed that Vanessa Williams had expressed interest in the role the night before and had been subsequently cast. [11]

Immediately following, Braun would go on to audition and be accepted for the role of Hathor in Stargate SG1.

Claude Brooks[]

Claude Brooks was considered for the role of Julian Bashir. [12]

Pierce Brosnan[]

Pierce Brosnan was considered for the role of Benjamin Sisko, however, he was not interested in doing a television series at the time. [13]

Brosnan is most famous for the television series Remington Steele and for playing James Bond in four films, including GoldenEye (1995) with Famke Janssen, and Tomorrow Never Dies (1997) with Teri Hatcher, Michelle Yeoh, and Vincent Schiavelli.

Clancy Brown[]

Main article: Clancy Brown

Clancy Brown was considered for the role of Benjamin Sisko, however, he was not available due to back surgery at the time. [14] A decade later, Brown appeared as Zobral in ENT: "Desert Crossing".

Ron Canada[]

Main article: Ron Canada

Ron Canada was considered and auditioned for the role of Martok (or technically the Changeling impersonating Martok) in "The Way of the Warrior". He impressed casting directors enough to earn a second, and was called at home and given feedback for his callback by Ronald D. Moore. Ultimately, however, the role went to J.G. Hertzler, a former roommate of his. Later that season, Canada would appear as Ch'Pok, another Klingon, in "Rules of Engagement". [15]

Peter Capaldi[]

Peter Capaldi was considered and auditioned for the role of Benjamin Sisko. [16] [17]

Capaldi is a British actor, most famous for playing the Twelfth Doctor in the British science fiction series Doctor Who from 2013 to 2017. He also played spin doctor Malcom Tucker in the sitcom The Thick of It from 2005 to 2012. He also appeared in films such as Bean (1997, with Harris Yulin, Danny Goldring and Larry Drake), Max (2002), In the Loop (2009), and The Fifth Estate (2013, with Benedict Cumberbatch and Alexander Siddig).

Bernie Casey[]

Main article: Bernie Casey

Bernie Casey was considered and auditioned for the role of Benjamin Sisko. (Science Fiction Television Series, 1990-2004: Histories, Casts and Credits for 58 Shows, p.266) He later appeared as Calvin Hudson in two episodes of DS9.

Kim Cattrall[]

• See: Kim Cattrall

Lanei Chapman[]

Main article: Lanei Chapman

Lanei Chapman was considered and auditioned for the role of Jadzia Dax. [18] Chapman had previously appeared as Ensign Sariel Rager in TNG: "Galaxy's Child", "Night Terrors", "Relics", and "Schisms".

Morris Chestnut[]

Morris Chestnut was considered for the role of Julian Bashir. [19]

Claudia Christian[]

• See: Claudia Christian

Doran Clark[]

Doran Clark is an American actress who was considered and auditioned for the role of Kira Nerys. [20]

Clark has appeared in several series in guest roles, such as MacGyver, Murder, She Wrote (starring William Windom), Quantum Leap (starring Scott Bakula and Dean Stockwell), and Chicago Hope (starring Jayne Brook).

Scott Coffey[]

Scott Coffey was considered for the role of Julian Bashir. [21]

Jeff Conaway[]

Jeff Conaway was reportedly approached for an unspecified guest role on either Star Trek: Deep Space Nine or Star Trek: Voyager, but declined. Conaway mentions the offer in the DVD audio commentary for the Babylon 5 TV movie Thirdspace. Conaway was a series regular as Security Chief Zack Allan on the Babylon 5 series, along with Andreas Katsulas, Bill Mumy, Patricia Tallman, Robert Rusler, and Tracy Scoggins. He also reprised the role in the aforementioned Thirdspace (which co-starred Clyde Kusatsu), River of Souls (with Joel Brooks), and A Call to Arms (with Tony Todd). Conaway is best known for his role as Kenicke in the 1978 film adaptation of the musical Grease and as taxi-driver/struggling actor Bobby Wheeler on the sitcom Taxi (with Christopher Lloyd).

Sean Connery[]

• See: Sean Connery

James Cromwell[]

Main article: James Cromwell

James Cromwell was considered and auditioned for the role of Odo. [22] Cromwell had previously appeared as Nayrok in TNG: "The Hunted". He went on to play Jaglom Shrek in TNG: "Birthright, Part I" and "Birthright, Part II", Hanok in DS9: "Starship Down", and Zefram Cochrane in Star Trek: First Contact, ENT: "Broken Bow", and LD: "Grounded".

Mary Crosby[]

Main article: Mary Crosby

Mary Crosby was considered and auditioned for the role of Kira Nerys. [23] Crosby later appeared as Natima Lang in "Profit and Loss".

Ben Cross[]

Main article: Ben Cross

Ben Cross was considered and auditioned for the role of Benjamin Sisko. [24] Cross later went on to portray Sarek in Star Trek.

Melinda Culea[]

Main article: Melinda Culea

Melinda Culea was considered and auditioned for the role of Kira Nerys. [25] Culea had previously appeared as Soren in TNG: "The Outcast".

Liane Curtis[]

Liane Curtis is an American actress, who was considered and auditioned for the role of Kira Nerys. [26]

Curtis started her career as a child actress at the age of 4, and subsequently appeared in films such as Sixteen Candles (1983), The Brother from Another Planet (1984), and Benny & Joon (1993), and series such as Married... with Children and ER.

Stephen Davies[]

Main article: Stephen Davies

Stephen Davies was considered and auditioned for the role of Benjamin Sisko. [27] Davies went on to play the Saratoga Tactical officer in "Emissary", Arak'Taral in "Hippocratic Oath", and Nakahn in VOY: "Darkling".

Elizabeth Dennehy[]

Main article: Elizabeth Dennehy

Elizabeth Dennehy was considered and auditioned for the role of Kira Nerys. [28] Dennehy had previously appeared as Elizabeth Shelby in TNG: "The Best of Both Worlds" and "The Best of Both Worlds, Part II".

Cliff DeYoung[]

Main article: Cliff DeYoung

Cliff DeYoung was considered and auditioned for the role of Benjamin Sisko. [29] DeYoung later appeared as Croden in "Vortex".

Susan Diol[]

• See: Susan Diol

Tate Donovan[]

Tate Donovan was considered for the role of Julian Bashir. [30]

Michael Dorn[]

Main article: Michael Dorn

Michael Dorn was to appear as mirror universe Worf in "Crossover". The schedule conflicted with the filming of TNG. [31]

Less than two years later, Dorn became a regular on the series and he finally played the character in "Shattered Mirror" and "The Emperor's New Cloak".

Maria Doyle[]

Maria Doyle Kennedy in an Irish singer and actress, who was considered for the role of Kira Nerys, but she was not available due to music commitments at the time. [32]

Doyle is best known for her television roles in such series as Father Ted (1998), The Tudors (2007-10), Downtown Abbey (2011), and Orphan Black (2013-17).

Marta Dubois[]

Main article: Marta Dubois

Marta Dubois was considered and auditioned for the role of Kira Nerys. [33] Dubois had previously appeared as Ardra in TNG: "Devil's Due".

Kurt Deutsch[]

Kurt Deutsch was considered for the role of Julian Bashir. [34]

Shelley Duvall[]

Shelley Duvall was considered for the role of Opaka. [35]

Samantha Eggar[]

Main article: Samantha Eggar

Samantha Eggar was considered for the role of Opaka. [36] Eggar has previously appeared as Marie Picard in TNG: "Family".

Laurence Fishburne[]

Laurence Fishburne was considered for the role of Benjamin Sisko, however, he was not interested in doing a television series at the time. [37]

Fishburne is most famous for playing Morpheus in The Matrix (1999) and its two sequels and Doctor Raymond Langston in three seasons of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (co-starring Wallace Langham and Liz Vassey). He also appeared in such films as King of New York (1991), Boyz n the Hood (1991), and Man of Steel (2013).

Michelle Forbes[]

Main article: Michelle Forbes

Michelle Forbes was originally planned to reprise her role as Ro Laren in the series, turning the character into a regular (possibly the first officer of Deep Space 9). Forbes turned down the offer, and the character became the basis for Kira Nerys. (Captains' Logs: The Unauthorized Complete Trek Voyages)

As Forbes explained: "It was, again, about wanting variety in my career. If I'd gone on to do DS9, I might not have had the variety I've been lucky to have in my career. That's not to say I wasn't grateful for the opportunity; I genuinely was. However, I had to make a choice that felt right for me, which was a difficult one, especially as a young actor being offered a steady job." (TV Zone Magazine, January 2005)

John Fleck[]

Main article: John Fleck

John Fleck was considered and auditioned for the role of Odo. [38] Fleck had previously appeared as Taibak in TNG: "The Mind's Eye". He later went on to play a Cardassian overseer in DS9: "The Homecoming", Ornithar in DS9: "The Search, Part I", Koval in DS9: "Inter Arma Enim Silent Leges", Abaddon in VOY: "Alice", and finally landed in the recurring role of Silik in Star Trek: Enterprise.

Meg Foster[]

Main article: Meg Foster

Meg Foster was considered for the role of Opaka. [39] Foster later appeared as Onaya in "The Muse".

Robert Foxworth[]

Main article: Robert Foxworth

Robert Foxworth auditioned for a guest role in "Hippocratic Oath" (most likely as Goran'Agar). (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Companion, p. 299) He would be cast later in the season as Leyton in the two-part "Homefront" and "Paradise Lost", as well as V'Las in the Star Trek: Enterprise season four episodes "The Forge", "Awakening" and "Kir'Shara".

Don Franklin[]

Don Franklin was considered for the role of Julian Bashir. [40]

John Glover[]

Main article: John Glover

John Glover was considered and auditioned for the role of Benjamin Sisko. [41] Glover later went on to play Verad Dax in "Invasive Procedures".

Whoopi Goldberg[]

Main article: Whoopi Goldberg

Whoopi Goldberg was approached to do a cameo as Guinan in "Rivals" (where Martus Mazur would be revealed to be her wayward son), but had to turn it down as it conflicted with the filming of other projects (Goldberg also did not appear in any Next Generation episodes in the 1993-94 season). All references to Guinan were then removed from the episode's script. (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Companion, p. 109)

Barry Gordon[]

Main article: Barry Gordon

Barry Gordon was considered and auditioned for the role of Quark. [42] Gordon later appeared as Nava in "The Nagus" and Ardon Broht in VOY: "Author, Author".

Robert Goulet[]

Robert Goulet was a Canadian singer and actor, who was approached to play Vic Fontaine after Frank Sinatra, Jr. turned down the role. He also passed on the offer. (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Companion, p. 563)

James Darren was the final choice to play both prime universe Vic Fontaine, and his mirror universe counterpart in "The Emperor's New Cloak".

Goulet played a variety roles in film and television, including the TV-movie version of the musicals Brigadoon (1966), Carousel (1967), and Kiss Me Kate (1968), and appearances on such series as Mission: Impossible, Fantasy Island (starring Ricardo Montalban), The Love Boat, and Murder, She Wrote (starring William Windom). He also appeared in movies like Beetle Juice (1988, with Winona Ryder) and The Naked Gun 2 ½: The Smell of Fear (1991, with Peter Mark Richman, Tim O'Connor, and John Fleck). Goulet provided his singing voice for the animated film Toy Story 2 (2000), which also featured the voices of Wallace Shawn and Kelsey Grammer.

Gary Graham[]

Main article: Gary Graham

Faye Grant[]

Faye Grant was considered for the role of Kira Nerys, but she turned down the offer. [43]

Grant is an American actress best known for her role as Julie Parrish in the 1983 science fiction miniseries V and its follow-ups, V: The Final Battle (1984) and V: The Series (1984-85). Grant was married to Star Trek: The Motion Picture actor Stephen Collins between 1985 and 2015.

Bruce Greenwood[]

Main article: Bruce Greenwood

Bruce Greenwood was considered and auditioned for the role of Benjamin Sisko. [44] Greenwood later went on to play Christopher Pike in Star Trek and Star Trek Into Darkness.

Max Grodénchik[]

Main article: Max Grodénchik

Max Grodénchik was considered and auditioned for the role of Quark. [45] Grodénchik was eventually cast in the recurring role of Quark's brother, Rom. He had previously appeared as Sovak in TNG: "Captain's Holiday" and Par Lenor in TNG: "The Perfect Mate".

Ronald Guttman[]

Main article: Ronald Guttman

Ronald Guttman was considered and auditioned for the role of Benjamin Sisko. [46] Guttman later appeared as Gathorel Labin in VOY: "Prime Factors".

Martha Hackett[]

Main article: Martha Hackett

Martha Hackett auditioned for the role of Jadzia Dax, but lost out to Terry Farrell. ("Behind the Masks" panel at Destination Star Trek Birmingham, 21 October 2018) She was subsequently cast as Androna in the final Star Trek: The Next Generation episode "All Good Things...", only to have her scene cut from the episode. Nevertheless, she was cast on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, months later as the T'Rul in "The Search, Part I" and "The Search, Part II". Soon after, she was approached for yet another role, this time on Star Trek: Voyager, in the role of the treacherous Seska.

Molly Hagan[]

Main article: Molly Hagan

Molly Hagan was considered for the role of Jadzia Dax, however she was unavailable at the time due to co-starring in the sitcom Herman's Head. [47] Hagan later appeared as Eris in "The Jem'Hadar".

Hagan was due to reprise her role as Eris both in "The Search, Part II" and "The Ship", but she was unavailable both times.

Charles Hallahan[]

Charles Hallahan was a veteran character actor who was considered and auditioned for the role of Odo. [48]

Five years later, he had been cast to play Liam Bilby in the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode "Honor Among Thieves". He and actor Nick Tate were both up for the role, but director Allan Eastman (who had suggested Tate for the role) and producer Ira Steven Behr (who suggested Hallahan) chose Hallahan due to his resemblance to Miles O'Brien actor Colm Meaney, which they believed would give the characters a father-son quality to them. Sadly, Hallahan died of a heart attack before production began, and Tate assumed the role in Hallahan's memory. (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Companion, p. 541; Find a Grave entry)

Hallahan is best known for his role in John Carpenter's The Thing. His other film credits include Silkwood (1983), Pale Rider (1985), Fatal Beauty (1987, starring Whoopi Goldberg and Harris Yulin), True Believer (1989), Dave (1993, with Frank Langella, Parley Baer, Stefan Gierasch, Stephen Root, Dawn Arnemann, Dendrie Taylor, Paul Collins, Peter White, Robin Gammell, Dan Butler, Tory Christopher, and Pam Pruitt-McGeary), Stuart Baird's Executive Decision (1996), and Dante's Peak (1997). He also made guest appearances on shows like Hawaii Five-O, M*A*S*H, Hill Street Blues, Law & Order, Murder, She Wrote, and NYPD Blue and had recurring roles on Hunter, The Paper Chase, and Grace Under Fire.

Jerry Hardin[]

Main article: Jerry Hardin

Jerry Hardin was considered and auditioned for the role of Odo. [49] Hardin had previously appeared as Radue in TNG: "When The Bough Breaks" and as Samuel Clemens in TNG: "Time's Arrow" and "Time's Arrow, Part II". He later appeared as Neria in VOY: "Emanations".

Mariska Hargitay[]

Mariska Hargitay was considered and auditioned for the role of Kira Nerys. [50]

Hargitay is an Emmy and Golden Globe Award winning actress, best known for playing Detective Olivia Benson on the NBC drama series Law & Order: Special Victims Unit since 1999.

Roxanne Hart[]

Roxanne Hart was considered for the role of Kira Nerys, however, she turned down the offer. [51]

Hart is an American actress, best known for the original 1986 Highlander film, which co-starred Clancy Brown, and her role as Nurse Camille Shutt in the medical drama series Chicago Hope (1994-98), which co-starred Jayne Brook.

Teri Hatcher[]

Main article: Teri Hatcher

Teri Hatcher was considered for the role of Jadzia Dax, however she turned the offer down. [52] Hatcher had previously appeared as the uncredited B.G. Robinson in TNG: "The Outrageous Okona".

Jennifer Hetrick[]

Main article: Jennifer Hetrick

Jennifer Hetrick was considered and auditioned for the role of Kira Nerys. [53] Hetrick had previously played Vash in TNG: "Captain's Holiday" and TNG: "Qpid", and went on to reprise the role in "Q-Less".

Leslie Hope[]

Main article: Leslie Hope

Leslie Hope was considered and auditioned for the role of Jadzia Dax. [54] Hope later appeared as Kira Meru in "Wrongs Darker Than Death or Night".

Jana Marie Hupp[]

Main article: Jana Marie Hupp

Jana Marie Hupp was considered and auditioned for the role of Jadzia Dax. [55] Hupp had previously played Pavlik in TNG: "Galaxy's Child" and Monroe in TNG: "Disaster".

Famke Janssen[]

Main article: Famke Janssen

Famke Janssen was offered the role of Jadzia Dax but turned it down, wanting to focus on a film career rather than television. She had previously played Kamala in the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode "The Perfect Mate". The role of Jadzia Dax eventually went to Terry Farrell. Interestingly the forehead ridges seen on Trill in "The Host" were discarded in favor of spots similar ones seen on Kamala. (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Companion, p. 7)

Salome Jens[]

Main article: Salome Jens

Salome Jens was considered for the role of Opaka. [56] Jens later appeared as an Ancient humanoid in TNG: "The Chase", and was eventually cast in the recurring role of the Female Changeling from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's third season onward.

James Earl Jones[]

James Earl Jones was among the final few actors considered for the role of Benjamin Sisko, but eventually the role went to Avery Brooks. (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Companion, p. ?)

During a career which spans more than seventy years, Jones appeared in numerous film and television projects. He is probably most famous for voicing the character of Darth Vader (played by David Prowse) in the original Star Wars trilogy and subsequent films and video games – a role which in the radio dramatizations of the films was handled by Brock Peters, who, in fact, played Sisko's father during DS9's run. He also lent his voice to the acclaimed animated feature The Lion King (1994), which also featured the voices of Whoopi Goldberg, Madge Sinclair, Frank Welker, and Brian Tochi. In live-action, Jones played the first African-American president in The Man (1972), which was directed by Joseph Sargent and also featured William Windom, Barry Russo, Garry Walberg, Vince Howard, and music by Jerry Goldsmith. His other feature film credits include Swashbuckler (1976, with Sid Haig and directed by James Goldstone), Exorcist II: The Heretic (1977, with Louise Fletcher), Coming to America (1988, with Madge Sinclair), Three Fugitives (1989, with Alan Ruck, Bruce McGill, and Brian Thompson), The Hunt for Red October (1990, with Gates McFadden and Daniel Davis), Patriot Games (1992, with music by James Horner) and Sommersby (1993, with William Windom). His television credits include guest roles in series such as L.A. Law (starring Corbin Bernsen), Stargate SG-1, and Homicide: Life on the Streets (starring Michelle Forbes). He also appeared in miniseries such as Jesus of Nazareth (1977, with Christopher Plummer) and Roots: The Next Generations (with Percy Rodrigues, Jason Wingreen, Brock Peters, Paul Winfield, Logan Ramsey, Bill Quinn, Patricia Smith, music by Gerald Fried, and partially directed by John Erman).

Leilani Jones[]

Leilani Jones was considered and auditioned for the role of Jadzia Dax. [57]

Jones is an accomplished stage actress and singer, whose Broadway credits include the musical Grind, for which she won a Tony Award as Best Featured Actress in a Musical. She is also a voice actress, whose credits include such the popular Monkey Island computer game series.

Renée Jones[]

Main article: Renée Jones

Renée Jones was considered and auditioned for the role of Jadzia Dax. [58] Jones later appeared as Aquiel Uhnari in TNG: "Aquiel".

Andreas Katsulas[]

Main article: Andreas Katsulas

Andreas Katsulas was considered and auditioned for the role of Odo. [59] Katsulas had previously appeared as Commander Tomalak in TNG: "The Defector" and "Future Imperfect", and later reprised the role in "All Good Things...". He later also appeared as Drennik in ENT: "Cogenitor".

Jack Kehler[]

Main article: Jack Kehler

Jack Kehler was considered and auditioned for the role of Odo. [60] Kehler later appeared as Jaheel in "Babel".

Brian Krause[]

Brian Krause was considered for the role of Julian Bashir. [61]

Clyde Kusatsu[]

Main article: Clyde Kusatsu

Clyde Kusatsu was considered and auditioned for the role of Odo. [62] In an interview, Kusatsu claimed he had been auditioned for the role of Quark. [63]

Kusatsu had previously appeared as Nakamura in TNG: "The Measure Of A Man". He later reprised the role in TNG: "Phantasms" and TNG: "All Good Things...".

Eriq La Salle[]

• See: Eriq La Salle

Ed Lauter[]

Main article: Ed Lauter

Ed Lauter was considered and auditioned for the role of Benjamin Sisko. [64] Lauter had previously appeared as Lieutenant commander Albert in TNG: "The First Duty".

Sheryl Lee[]

Sheryl Lee was considered for the role of Jadzia Dax, however she was deemed too expensive for the series' budget. [65]

German-born Lee is most famous for portraying Laura Palmer in the television series Twin Peaks (1990-91) and its subsequent movie spin-off, Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me (1992). She later appeared in films such as Backbeat (1994), Mother Night (1997) and series such as One Tree Hill and Desperate Housewives (starring Teri Hatcher).

Ted Levine[]

Ted Levine was considered and auditioned for the role of Benjamin Sisko. [66]

Levine is most famous for portraying the serial killer "Buffalo Bill" in the 1991 film The Silence of the Lambs (which also featured Charles Napier), and Captain Leland Stottlemeyer in the television series Monk (in which Stanley Kamel had a recurring role) from 2002 to 2009. He also appeared in 1998 TV movie adaptation of Moby Dick, which starred Patrick Stewart as Captain Ahab and in films such as Flubber (1998, with Christopher McDonald, Wil Wheaton and Clancy Brown), Wild Wild West (1999), Ali (2001, with LeVar Burton), American Gangster (2007), and Shutter Island (2010).

Kamala Lopez-Dawson[]

Main article: Kamala Lopez-Dawson

Kamala Lopez-Dawson was considered and auditioned for the role of Jadzia Dax. [67] She later appeared as Tincoo in VOY: "Virtuoso".

Charles Lucia[]

Main article: Charles Lucia

Charles Lucia was considered and auditioned for the role of Benjamin Sisko. [68] Lucia had previously appeared as Ves Alkar in TNG: "Man Of The People", and later went on to play Mabus in VOY: "Alliances", and Keene in ENT: "Fortunate Son".

Franc Luz[]

Main article: Franc Luz

Franc Luz was considered and auditioned for the role of Benjamin Sisko. [69] Luz had previously played Odan in TNG: "The Host".

Stephen Macht[]

• See: Stephen Macht

Chase Masterson[]

Main article: Chase Masterson

Chase Masterson auditioned for the role of Jake Sisko's girlfriend Mardah in "The Abandoned". Actor Avery Brooks, who was directing the episode, did not find their age difference between her and Cirroc Lofton plausible as a love interest for Jake.(Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Companion, p. 238) Nevertheless, producers liked Masterson's playful performance enough that they would later bring back as another Bajoran dabo girl and love interest, Leeta, who, unlike the single-appearance Mardah, recurred in seventeen episodes over five seasons.

Jeff McCarthy[]

Main article: Jeff McCarthy

Jeff McCarthy was considered and auditioned for the role of Benjamin Sisko. [70] McCarthy had previously appeared as Roga Danar in TNG: "The Hunted", and went on to play the ill-fated Chief Medical Officer in VOY: "Caretaker".

Roddy McDowall[]

• See: Roddy McDowall

Malcolm McDowell[]

Main article: Malcolm McDowell

Malcolm McDowell wanted to play a role on Deep Space Nine. He only wanted to appear in an episode directed by his nephew, Alexander Siddig, and after his appearance as Doctor Tolian Soran in Star Trek Generations, he would have needed to play an alien, which he did not want to do. ^{(citation needed • edit)}

Bruce McGill[]

Main article: Bruce McGill

Bruce McGill was considered for the role of Odo, however, he was not available due to filming a project titled Smouldering Lust at the time. [71] Later, McGill appeared as Braxton in VOY: "Relativity".

Stephen McHattie[]

Main article: Stephen McHattie

Stephen McHattie was considered and auditioned for the role of Odo. [72] McHattie later appeared as Senator Vreenak in "In the Pale Moonlight", and as an Alien foreman in ENT: "The Xindi".

Kate McNeil[]

Main article: Kate McNeil

Kate McNeil was considered for the role of Jadzia Dax, however, she was unavailable at the time due to co-starring in the series Bodies of Evidence.[73] McNeil later appeared as Commander Collins in ENT: "Affliction".

Eric Menyuk[]

• See: Eric Menyuk

Tracy Middendorf[]

Main article: Tracy Middendorf

Tracy Middendorf also auditioned for the role of Mardah in "The Abandoned" (Cinefantastique, vol. 28, no. 4/5, p. 63) though Jill Sayre ultimately won the role. Middendorf would later become the second of three actresses to play Tora Ziyal, appearing once in "For the Cause".

Katherine Moffat[]

Main article: Katherine Moffat

Katherine Moffat was considered and auditioned for the role of Jadzia Dax. [74] Moffat had previously appeared as Etana in TNG: "The Game", and later went on to play Vaatrik Pallra in DS9: "Necessary Evil".

Cathy Moriarty[]

Cathy Moriarty was considered for the role of Kira Nerys, but she was not interested in doing a television series at the time. [75]

Moriarty is an Academy Award-nominated actress, best known for starring in the 1980 film Raging Bull, and also appearing in such films as Neighbors (1981), Kindergarten Cop (1990, featuring Jayne Brook), The Mambo Kings (1992), Matinee (1993, featuring Robert Picardo, William Schallert and Dick Miller), Casper (1995), and Analyze That (2002). She also appeared in such series as Tales from the Crypt and Law & Order.

Phil Morris[]

Main article: Phil Morris

Phil Morris was considered and auditioned for the role of Benjamin Sisko. [76] Morris had previously appeared as an Only boy in TOS: "Miri", and Cadet Foster in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, and later went on to play Thopok in DS9: "Looking for par'Mach in All the Wrong Places", Remata'Klan in DS9: "Rocks and Shoals", and John Kelly in VOY: "One Small Step".

Tim Blake Nelson[]

Tim Blake Nelson is the American actor, writer and director who auditioned for the role of Quark. Nelson thought the role was a natural fit for him, asserting that he "basically [is] a Ferengi." The part went to Armin Shimerman, which Nelson claimed left him "heartbroken." He began finding steady film work years later with directors such as Joel and Ethan Coen who, according to Nelson, were looking for "Human Ferengis." As Nelson stated, his "Ferengi career came, it just came later." [77]

Nelson first achieved recognition for his role as Delmar in the Coen brothers' acclaimed 2000 comedy O Brother, Where Art Thou? He has since had supporting roles in such films Steven Spielberg's Minority Report (with Patrick Kilpatrick, Neal McDonough, and George D. Wallace), Holes (with Eric Pierpoint, Jeff Ricketts, and Rick Worthy), Syriana (with Alexander Siddig, Christopher Plummer, Robert Foxworth, and David Clennon), The Astronaut Farmer (starring Virginia Madsen), and 2008's The Incredible Hulk. He has also written and directed such films as 2001's The Grey Zone (based on his own play) and Leaves of Grass (for which he cast Josh Pais). In 2019, Nelson starred in Watchmen.

Sandra Nelson[]

Main article: Sandra Nelson

Sandra Nelson was considered and auditioned for the role of Jadzia Dax. [78] Nelson later appeared as Marayna in VOY: "Alter Ego" and as Tavana in DS9: "Soldiers of the Empire".

David Newsom[]

David Newsom was considered for the role of Julian Bashir. [79]

Julia Nickson[]

Main article: Julia Nickson

Julia Nickson was considered for the role of Jadzia Dax, however she was unavailable at the time due to filming a project titled Genghis Kahn.[80] Nickson has previously appeared as Lian T'Su in The Next Generation episode "The Arsenal of Freedom" and later went on to play Cassandra in the Deep Space Nine episode "Paradise".

Natalia Nogulich[]

Main article: Natalia Nogulich

Natalia Nogulich was considered for the role of Opaka. [81] Nogulich was later cast as Alynna Nechayev in several episodes of both Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.

Michael Nunez, Jr.[]

Michael Nunez, Jr. was considered for the role of Julian Bashir. [82]

Tricia O'Neil[]

Main article: Tricia O'Neil

Tricia O'Neil was considered for the role of Opaka. [83] O'Neil had previously played Rachel Garrett in TNG: "Yesterday's Enterprise". She later appeared as Kurak in TNG: "Suspicions" and as Korinas in DS9: "Defiant".

Terry O'Quinn[]

Main article: Terry O'Quinn

Terry O'Quinn was considered for the role of Benjamin Sisko, however, he was not interested in science fiction projects at the time. [84] Later, O'Quinn appeared as Erik Pressman in TNG: "The Pegasus".

Ed O'Ross[]

Main article: Ed O'Ross

Ed O'Ross was considered and auditioned for the role of Benjamin Sisko. [85] O'Ross later appeared as Gaavrin in ENT: "Bounty".

Corey Parker[]

Corey Parker was considered for the role of Julian Bashir. [86]

Eric Pierpoint[]

Main article: Eric Pierpoint

Eric Pierpoint was considered and auditioned for the role of Benjamin Sisko. [87] Pierpoint later appeared as Voval in TNG: "Liaisons", Sanders in DS9: "For the Uniform", Kortar in VOY: "Barge of the Dead", Shiraht in ENT: "Rogue Planet", and Harris in ENT: "Affliction", "Divergence", "Demons", and "Terra Prime".

Glenn Plummer[]

Glenn Plummer was considered for the role of Julian Bashir. [88]

Jon Polito[]

Jon Polito was considered for the role of Quark, however, he turned the offer down. [89] ^{(citation needed • edit)} Polito was a prolific character actors in both films and television, often playing policemen, such as Detective Steve Corsetti in the acclaimed drama series Homicide: Life on the Street, which co-starred Michelle Forbes. He appeared in five films by the Coen brothers, including Miller's Crossing (1990) and The Big Lebowski (1998) (co-starring David Huddleston).

Iggy Pop[]

Main article: Iggy Pop

Iggy Pop was approached to play Grady in "Past Tense, Part II", but he was unavailable due to a music tour in Spain. (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Companion, p. 200) Ira Steven Behr, a fan of his work, pushed Iggy Pop to be cast for a role in the series, which resulted in him getting to play Yelgrun in "The Magnificent Ferengi" three years later.

James Read[]

Main article: James Read

James Read was considered and auditioned for the role of Benjamin Sisko. [90] Read later appeared as Jaffen in VOY: "Workforce" and "Workforce, Part II".

Richard Riehle[]

Main article: Richard Riehle

Richard Riehle was considered and auditioned for the role of Odo. [91] Riehle had previously appeared as Batai in TNG: "The Inner Light", and went on to play Seamus in VOY: "Fair Haven" and "Spirit Folk", and Doctor Jeremy Lucas in ENT: "Cold Station 12" and "The Augments".

Charles Rocket[]

Main article: Charles Rocket

Charles Rocket was considered and auditioned for the role of Benjamin Sisko. [92] Rocket later appeared as Jippeq in VOY: "The Disease".

Andrew Robinson[]

Main article: Andrew J. Robinson

Andrew J. Robinson originally auditioned for the role of Odo, and was briefly considered for the role of Laas in "Chimera", before they ultimately decided on J.G. Hertzler for the part. The creative staff thought Robinson's voice was unmistakable, and fans of Garak were very protective of the character, and wouldn't allow Robinson to play another role. (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Companion, p. 657)

Stephen Root[]

Main article: Stephen Root

Stephen Root was considered and auditioned for the role of Odo. [93] Root had previously appeared as Captain K'Vada in TNG: "Unification II" and TNG: "Unification I".

William Sadler[]

Main article: William Sadler

William Sadler was considered and auditioned for the role of Benjamin Sisko. [94] Sadler later went on to portray Luther Sloan in "Inquisition", "Inter Arma Enim Silent Leges", and "Extreme Measures".

Carolyn Seymour[]

Main article: Carolyn Seymour

Carolyn Seymour was considered for the role of Opaka. [95] Seymour has previously appeared as Taris in TNG: "Contagion" and as Mirasta Yale in TNG: "First Contact". She was last cast as Toreth in TNG: "Face Of The Enemy" and as Mrs. Templeton in VOY: "Cathexis" and VOY: "Persistence of Vision".

Martin Sheen[]

Martin Sheen is the multiple award-winning American actor, who was originally considered for the role of Luther Sloan in "Inquisition" and consequent episodes. Producers finally chose William Sadler for the part. As Ira Steven Behr explained, "We needed someone who had real power as an actor, who could keep you from jumping to a final conclusion about his character." (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Companion, p. 553)

Since the early 1960s, Sheen has established himself as a successful actor in both film and television. One of his earliest credits is "Nightmare", a 1963 episode of The Outer Limits, directed by John Erman, written and produced by Joseph Stefano and featuring Willard Sage, Whit Bissell, David Frankham, Bernard Kates, John Anderson, and Vic Perrin as the Control Voice. Also, Fred B. Phillips provided make-ups for the series, while Robert H. Justman served as first assistant director. His other television credits include episodes of Mission: Impossible ("Live Bait", with Dick Dial and John Crawford), Hawaii Five-O (including "Time and Memories", with Diana Muldaur), The F.B.I. (including "A Second Life", directed by Ralph Senensky and featuring George Sawaya, "Condemned" with James B. Sikking and "The Dynasty" with Ian Wolfe), Medical Center (starring James Daly, including "A Duel with Doom", with Marj Dusay), Columbo, and Two and a Half Men. In 1998 Sheen starred in the television film, Babylon 5: The River of Souls, based on the popular science fiction series running concurrent with Deep Space Nine. This telefilm also featured Tracy Scoggins. Sheen's most famous television role is that of President Josiah Bartlet in the popular series The West Wing, which ran from 1999 to 2006.

In feature films, Sheen has appeared in numerous acclaimed projects, including Francis Ford Coppola's classic Vietnam drama Apocalypse Now (1979), The Final Countdown (1980), Gandhi (1982), The Dead Zone (1983, with Anthony Zerbe), Wall Street (1987, with Saul Rubinek), Gettysburg (1993, with W. Morgan Sheppard), Dilinger and Capone (1995, with F. Murray Abraham, Stephen Davies, Catherine Hicks, Jeffrey Combs, Clint Howard, and Bert Remsen), Catch Me If You Can (2002, with Thomas Kopache and Malachi Throne), and The Departed (2006, with Mark Rolston).

Sheen has also branched out into video games with his portrayal of the Illusive Man in Mass Effect 2 (2010) and Mass Effect 3 (2012), which also featured the voices of Jennifer Hale, Raphael Sbarge, Robin Sachs, Keith Szarabajka, Michael Dorn, Armin Shimerman and Dwight Schultz.

Gregory Sierra[]

Main article: Gregory Sierra

Gregory Sierra was considered and auditioned for the role of Odo. [96] Sierra later appeared as Entek in "Second Skin".

Frank Sinatra, Jr.[]

Frank Sinatra, Jr. was an American singer, songwriter, conductor and occasional actor, the son of Frank Sinatra. He was originally approached to play Vic Fontaine during the fourth season, after he turned out to be a fan of the show. Despite finding the role interesting, Sinatra turned it down, saying he only wanted to play an alien character. Finally the role went to James Darren. (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Companion, p. 562)

Sinatra is best known as a vocalist and composer, who worked as his father's musical director and conductor from 1988. He also performed successfully with his own acts, touring thirty countries as early as 1968. Alongside his musical career, he occasionally appeared in film and television, including A Man Called Adam (1966, directed by Leo Penn), Zebra Force (1976, featuring Charles Dierkop and Anthony Caruso) and episodes of The Dean Martin Comedy Hour, Mercus Welby M.D., and The Love Boat. He also voiced himself in three episodes of Seth MacFarlane's animated series, Family Guy.

Kurtwood Smith[]

Main article: Kurtwood Smith

Kurtwood Smith was considered for the role of Odo, however, he did not want to play a role requiring special makeup prosthetics. [97]

Interestingly enough, Smith later appeared in "Things Past" as the Cardassian Thrax, wearing prosthetic makeup and playing the predecessor of Odo as security chief of Terok Nor. Smith also played the Federation President in Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (in which he shared scenes with Rene Auberjonois), and Annorax in VOY: "Year of Hell" and VOY: "Year of Hell, Part II".

Rebecca Staab[]

Rebecca Staab was considered and auditioned for the role of Jadzia Dax. [98]

Staab is a former beauty queen, model and actress, known for her roles in such series as Guiding Light, Wonder Years and The Young and the Restless. She also played The Invisible Girl in the 1994 Roger Corman version of The Fantastic Four.

Adam Storke[]

Adam Storke was considered for the role of Julian Bashir. [99]

Brenda Strong[]

Main article: Brenda Strong

Brenda Strong was considered and auditioned for the role of Kira Nerys. [100] Strong had previously appeared as Rashella in TNG: "When The Bough Breaks".

Cali Timmins[]

Cali Timmins was considered and auditioned for the role of Jadzia Dax. [101]

Timmins is a Canadian actress, best known for her roles in the soap operas Ryan's Hope and Another World. She also appeared in guest roles in such series as Walker, the Texas Ranger, Frasier (starring Kelsey Grammer), and Highlander: The Series.

Hallie Todd[]

Main article: Hallie Todd

Hallie Todd was considered and auditioned for the role of Kira Nerys. [102] Todd had previously appeared as Lal in TNG: "The Offspring".

Tony Todd[]

Main article: Tony Todd

Tony Todd was one of the original actors considered and auditioned for the role of Benjamin Sisko but was beat out by Avery Brooks. [103]

Besides appearing as Worf's brother Kurn in episodes of The Next Generation and Deep Space Nine, Todd played Sisko's son, Jake in "The Visitor". He also appeared later as a Hirogen in "Prey". He also provided his voice for a number of Star Trek video games.

Liz Vassey[]

Main article: Liz Vassey

Liz Vassey was considered and auditioned for the role of Jadzia Dax. [104] Vassey had previously appeared as Kristin in TNG: "Conundrum".

John Vickery[]

Main article: John Vickery

John Vickery was considered and auditioned for the role of Benjamin Sisko. [105] Vickery had previously appeared as Andrus Hagan in TNG: "Night Terrors", and later went on to play Gul Rusot in DS9: "The Changing Face of Evil", "When It Rains...", and "Tacking Into the Wind", and Orak in ENT: "Judgment".

Chuck Wagner[]

Chuck Wagner claimed that he auditioned for the role of Benjamin Sisko. (Science Fiction Television Series, 1990-2004: Histories, Casts and Credits for 58 Shows, p.266)

Robert Walker[]

Main article: Robert Walker

Robert Walker was approached in 1997 by the producers for a role on the sixth season of Deep Space Nine. He turned down the offer, as he was "not interested in renewing his acting career." (AOL chat, 1997)

Basil Wallace[]

Main article: Basil Wallace

Basic Wallace was considered and auditioned for the role of Benjamin Sisko. [106] Wallace had previously appeared as a Klingon guard in TNG: "Reunion".

Dylan Walsh[]

Dylan Walsh was considered for the role of Julian Bashir. [107]

Gwynyth Walsh[]

Main article: Gwynyth Walsh

Gwynyth Walsh was considered and auditioned for the role of Kira Nerys. [108] Walsh had previously played B'Etor in TNG: "Redemption" and TNG: "Redemption II". She went on to reprise the role in DS9: "Past Prologue", TNG: "Firstborn", and Star Trek Generations. Later, she also appeared as Chief Examiner Nimira in VOY: "Random Thoughts".

Sydney Walsh[]

Sydney Walsh is an American actress, who was considered and auditioned for the role of Kira Nerys. [109]

Walsh has appeared in films such as 3 Men and a Little Lady (1990) and Point Break (1991), and in television series such as T.J. Hooker (starring William Shatner, James Darren and Richard Herd), Melrose Place, Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman (starring Teri Hatcher), ER, and Crossing Jordan.

David Warner[]

Main article: David Warner

David Warner was approached by the producers for the role of Akorem Laan in "Accession". According to Ira Steven Behr, Warner wanted to do the role, but his wife talked him out of it, as they were on a vacation. (Captains' Logs Supplemental - The Unauthorized Guide to the New Trek Voyages)

Previously Warner played three roles in Star Trek: St. John Talbot in Star Trek V: The Final Frontier, Gorkon in Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, and Madred in TNG: "Chain Of Command, Part I" and "Part II^[!]".

Carl Weathers[]

Carl Weathers was considered and auditioned for the role of Benjamin Sisko. (Science Fiction Television Series, 1990-2004: Histories, Casts and Credits for 58 Shows, p.266)

Edward Wiley[]

Main article: Edward Wiley

Edward Wiley was considered and auditioned for the role of Odo. [110] Wiley had previously appeared as Vagh in TNG: "The Mind's Eye", and later played Toran in DS9: "Profit and Loss".

Barbara Williams[]

Main article: Barbara Williams

Barbara Williams was considered for the role of Kira Nerys, but she turned down the offer. [111] Williams later appeared as Anna in TNG: "Liaisons".

Fred Williamson[]

Main article: Fred Williamson

Fred Williamson was considered and auditioned for the role of Benjamin Sisko. [112] Williamson had previously appeared as Anka in TOS: "The Cloud Minders".

Ray Wise[]

Main article: Ray Wise

Ray Wise was considered for the role of Benjamin Sisko, however, he was not available at the time. [113] Wise had previously played Liko in TNG: "Who Watches The Watchers", and later went on to play Arturis in VOY: "Hope and Fear".

Tom Wright[]

Main article: Tom Wright

Tom Wright was considered and auditioned for the role of Benjamin Sisko. [114] Wright later went on to play Tuvix in VOY: "Tuvix", and Ghrath in ENT: "Storm Front".