10 Star Trek Characters We Would Like To See Return in 2025

Each year since 2021, we’ve compiled a list of Star Trek characters who deserve to return — not just for nostalgia’s sake, but because they have stories left to tell. In 2025, the state of the franchise is more uncertain than it has been in recent memory. Following a surge of new shows in the early streaming era, the warp drive has slowed a little. We’re still eagerly anticipating Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 3 and keeping cautious optimism for Starfleet Academy (hopefully launching within the next 10 months of this writing), but beyond that… well, it’s a bit of a void.

Still, Star Trek thrives on hope — and so do its fans. With Discovery closing its five-season journey and Picard having wrapped up its emotional run, the future may be cloudy, but the past (and present) continues to call out with unfinished business and characters we just aren’t ready to let go of.

Here are 10 Star Trek characters who MUST return in 2025 — on Starfleet Academy, Strange New Worlds, the long-rumored Legacy, or wherever the final frontier takes us next.

1. Seven of Nine (Jeri Ryan)

Let’s be honest: Star Trek: Picard Season 3 may have been the final bow for Jean-Luc, but it was the beginning of something new for Seven. Promoted to captain of the U.S.S. Enterprise-G, her leadership is too compelling to end there. Jeri Ryan has fully redefined Seven across Picard’s three seasons, blending her Borg past, human struggle, and raw authority into one of modern Trek’s most dynamic figures. She deserves her own show (Legacy, anyone?) or at least to return as a mentor, leader, or mission commander in future stories.

2. Beckett Mariner (Tawny Newsome)

Lower Decks has been the irreverent heart of modern Star Trek, and Beckett Mariner has become a fan-favorite because of it. Her evolution from rebellious ensign to fully formed officer is already rich, but there’s still so much ground to cover. Rumors of Lower Decks slowing down or ending in the coming years only reinforce the idea that characters like Mariner should transition into live-action — perhaps as a teacher or guest lecturer in Starfleet Academy. Imagine her sarcasm clashing with cadets. That’s the kind of chaotic-good energy this franchise needs.

3. Worf (Michael Dorn)

The comeback of Michael Dorn in Picard Season 3 was pitch-perfect. Worf was older, wiser, and somehow even more dangerous (and hilarious) than ever. His chemistry with Raffi, his Zen-warrior persona, and the sheer legacy he brings as a TNG and DS9 veteran make him a top candidate for more. Whether in Legacy, a spinoff with Raffi, or as a guest appearance in Strange New Worlds or Starfleet Academy, Worf’s return feels like unfinished business. The galaxy still needs him.

4. Sylvia Tilly (Mary Wiseman)

It’s already confirmed: Tilly will be back in Starfleet Academy. That’s great news, because she’s exactly the kind of character this franchise needs more of — earnest, awkward, brilliant, and deeply empathetic. She’s walked the path from wide-eyed cadet to officer aboard the Discovery, and now she’s circling back to help shape the next generation. There’s real storytelling potential here: personal growth, mentorship, and the occasional comic mishap. Tilly isn’t just returning — she should be a cornerstone of the series.

5. Kira Nerys (Nana Visitor)

Deep Space Nine remains one of the most layered and ambitious Trek series, and Kira Nerys is one of its defining figures. Since the show ended in 1999, fans have longed to know what became of the former Bajoran freedom fighter turned station commander. In a post-Dominion War galaxy, where does Kira stand? Is she a religious figure? A political one? A warrior still? Nana Visitor is more than game to return, and with the Changelings recently resurfacing in Picard, the timing has never been better.

6. Jett Reno (Tig Notaro)

Tig Notaro’s Jett Reno is among the best additions to Discovery, even in her often limited screen time. Reno is deadpan, sharp-witted, and endlessly competent — think Bones McCoy meets Daria. Her return in Starfleet Academy has already been confirmed, and honestly, she’s the perfect contrast to young, idealistic cadets. Whether providing hard truths, wild tech hacks, or just being a weirdo genius in the background, Reno is a gift to the franchise, and we want more of her.

7. Jack Crusher (Ed Speleers)

Introduced in Picard Season 3 as the surprise son of Jean-Luc and Beverly, Jack Crusher became a focal point of the show’s final season — and for good reason. Speleers brought charm, depth, and a touch of recklessness to the role, making him feel like a true mix of his parents. His assignment aboard the Enterprise-G sets him up perfectly for a future in Star Trek: Legacy. He could be the bridge between generations — literally and figuratively. There’s still a universe of emotion and adventure to explore through his eyes.

8. Charles Vance (Oded Fehr)

Admiral Vance became one of the most surprising and welcome recurring characters in Discovery. Unlike many Starfleet higher-ups, he was competent, principled, and deeply human. Oded Fehr brought a quiet gravitas to the role, and it’s great to know he’ll be back in Starfleet Academy. But here’s hoping it’s not just a cameo — Vance’s presence provides real weight to the stakes and decisions made at the Academy. His mentorship and strategic mind could shape the cadets and plotlines alike.

9. Raffi Musiker (Michelle Hurd)

Raffi’s journey across three seasons of Picard has been deeply personal — marred by trauma, loss, addiction, redemption, and purpose. By the end, she found new footing as Worf’s partner and a leader in Starfleet Intelligence. Michelle Hurd has poured emotional truth into every scene, and it’s clear there’s more story to tell. Whether she appears in a new series focused on intelligence operations or as a recurring figure in Legacy, Raffi represents the complexities that modern Trek does best. Her arc isn’t finished.

10. Ezri Dax (Nicole de Boer)

Let’s circle back to DS9 for one more. Ezri Dax had a difficult task: following the beloved Jadzia Dax. But by the end of DS9, she’d found her own identity. Unlike most Starfleet officers, Ezri was a counselor — and there’s an untapped opportunity there. Imagine Ezri guiding cadets at Starfleet Academy, helping them deal with trauma, pressure, and their emerging roles. Or perhaps even appearing in a story involving Trill symbionts and the mysteries of memory and identity. Nicole de Boer is still active and well-loved. The door is open.

Who do YOU want to see return in 2025? Share your picks in the comments