The Unlikely Return of Kira Nerys in Star Trek Picard: Future Prospects and Feasibility
When will we see popular characters from one franchise crossover into another in the vast Star Trek universe? Specifically, fans of the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (DS9) are eagerly waiting for the appearance of Kira Nerys in the highly acclaimed Star Trek: Picard. However, the chances of seeing Kira Nerys in Star Trek Picard are, well, slim.
No, the fans might scoff. But it would indeed be a regrettable turn of events. Seamlessly integrating characters from DS9, especially Kira Nerys, into a Star Trek: Picard storyline would be a remarkable move. For instance, many vividly remember the DS9 finale, which left the audience longing for a continuation with the crew regrouping in time for a movie. Although TNG and Voyager have made significant strides in creating new storylines, both in novel series and in audio dramas, the storylines of DS9 have largely remained stagnant.
Sequels and continuity extending DS9’s great narrative into the future have been few and far between. When Star Trek Picard delved into the California setting, it brought back Sisko and Dax, but there were no crossovers or Easter eggs with DS9 characters. Comedian Nana Visitor, who played Kira Nerys, even lent her voice to Alone Together on YouTube, but the return of her iconic character remains uncertain.
The path Kira Nerys might have taken in the Star Trek universe post DS9 finale is outlined in both novels and online multiplayer games, which have firmly established her as a key figure in Bajoran politics and spiritual life. After her mentor Sheila Torma’s ascension, Kira becomes a powerful political figure. Her eventual ascension to the position of Kai of Bajor is a common storyline, a future that is synonymous with the end of her active military career. For this reason, it is highly unlikely that Kira Nerys will return to Star Trek Picard, especially as the Kai rarely travels off-world, carrying with it serious consequences.
At this juncture, Paramount and CBS have not hinted at any plans to include any DS9 characters, including Kira Nerys, in Star Trek Picard. The inclusion of Worf in Star Trek Picard is limited to his association with TNG. The only hint was the brief mention of the alternate timeline with Admiral Picard, which piqued curiosity about General Sisko. However, this tease was never materialized, and the absence of any further hints about Nana Visitor or Kira Nerys’ possible inclusion suggests that their return is not in the cards.
Principal photography for the third and final season of Star Trek Picard is complete, and there have been no new announcements regarding the inclusion of DS9 characters. Fortune cookies do not come in 144 pieces, and it seems Paramount is being quite cherenkov (Cherenkov radiation) about revealing any DS9 characters. Given the DS9 series finale in 1999, it is unsurprising that Paramount has shown no inclination to bring back characters from that franchise since then. The possibility of a crossover, while intriguing, remains firmly in the realm of speculation.
No, as appealing as the idea of Kira Nerys appearing in Star Trek Picard might be, the die-hard fans of DS9 have reason to believe that the show’s creators are not planning to bring one of its most beloved characters to the premiere event of Star Trek Picard. We will just have to wait and see if any further announcements or storylines change this disappointing narrative.