The Ladies of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

Nana Visitor as Major/Colonel Kira Nerys

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Major/Colonel Kira Nerys; First Officer of Deep Space Nine.  Kira Nerys was born in Dahkur Province on Bajor in 2343, during the Cardassian Occupation.  Nerys had been told by her father that she had found her mother dead from malnutrition at Singha refugee camp in 2346, when she was only three years old.  She since learned that her mother had been taken by the Cardassians to "entertain" their officers, specifically Gul Dukat (Wrongs Darker than Death or Night).  Her father, also a member of the resistance,  died during the occupation.  Kira was recruited by Loret Hakrem and joined the Shakkar resistance cell of the Bajoran underground in 2355 when she was twelve.  One of only four survivors of her resistance cell, she spent many years as a resistance fighter and has become an expert in military tactics and combat.  Kira feels animosity towards Cardassians, especially Gul Dukat, and is also somewhat distrustful of other "off-worlders".  She was initially reluctant to accept the Federation's presence in Bajoran space, and viewed their operation of Deep Space Nine as just another way to exploit the Bajoran people and their resources.   She has since grown to trust and respect Captain Sisko, as a friend, as a figure of authority, and as a religious figure (Emissary).  A highly spiritual woman, Kira was present during at the apparent death of Kai Opaka.  She encountered an Orb, the Orb of Prophesy and Change in 2370.  She led the mission that liberated the Cardassia IV labor camp after receiving Li Nales' earring, which was smuggled out of the camp.  He temporarily replaced her as Bajoran liaison Deep Space Nine as a way to keep him away from Bajor during a period of intense political intrigue (The Homecoming, The Circle, and The Siege).  A unique accident put her in contact with an alternate reality in which she is The Intendant, the authoritarian ruler of the Bajoran Sector in that universe (Crossover).   She has also been the subject of an abduction by the Cardassian Obsidian Order, who attempted to make her believe she was really an undercover Cardassian agent, Iliana Ghemor, as part of a ruse to expose dissenters within the Central Command (Second Sight).  Kira Nerys was a Major in the Bajoran militia in 2369, when the Cardassians ended their occupation and left Bajor.   She was assigned by the Bajoran Provisional Government to be second in command of the Cardassian space station in orbit after Commander Sisko asked for a Bajoran First Officer in order to balance out Bajoran and Federation interests.  The station, called Terok Nor by the Cardassians, had been renamed Deep Space Nine by the federation.  Major Kira was romantically involved with Vedek Bareil for a year until his death in 2371.  The following year, she became involved for a short time with Shakkar, a former leader in the Bajoran resistance, and the current First Minister of Bajor.  Keiko O'Brien's unborn baby was beamed into Kira's body in 2373 when Keiko is injured and Doctor Bashir determined that she could no longer carry it (Body Parts).   She carried the O'Brien baby for the remainder of the gestation period and delivered the child, named Kiryoshi by the O'Briens.   Kira and Chief O'Brien might have become romantically involved if he hadn't been married.  Kira learned of Odo's love for her about this time, but in an alternate timeline (Children of Time).  Major Kira became the Bajoran liaison under the Dominion government on the station during the brief period that the station was occupied in 2374.  She was promoted to Colonel shortly after the federation liberated Deep Space Nine.

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See Why Colonel Kira Hates Quark

Nana Visitor, née Tucker, plays Colonel Kira Nerys.  She was born in New York City on 26 July 1957, and was raised there.  Her father was a Broadway choreographer and her mother, Nenette Charisse, taught ballet and operated a dance studio. Nana began to study dance at her mother's studio at the age of seven, and she began a career on the stage soon after graduating from high school.  Nana accepted some television and stage roles in New York, including appearances on Broadway in 42nd Street and My One and Only as a dancer and actor before moving to Los Angeles in 1985.   Visitor accepted the role of Major Kira Nerys on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine after many television appearances, including episodes of both McGiver and Matlock, and several film guest appearances.  Her ex-husband is also an actor.  Their son Buster was born in 1992.  Nana has since become involved with and recently married Alexander Siddig (formerly Siddig El Fadil), who plays Doctor Julian Bashir on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.  She gave birth to their son, Django (Dee-Jango) El Tahir El Siddig, on Monday, 16 September 1998, at 11:20 PM.  Colonel Kira carrying the O'Brien baby explained Nana's real-life pregnancy.  Nana Visitor is admired by her male and female fans alike for her strength and character both on and off the screen, and she never fails to draw attention wherever she goes.  Star Trek fans around the world know her as Colonel Kira Nerys, the competent and feisty former freedom fighter and current first officer of Deep Space Nine.  She is one of the most popular characters the Star Trek universe has ever had.

See Some Photos of Nana Visitor

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