Summary
Almost every sci-fi fan hasa favoriteStar Trekcaptain, a cliched source of contention among the fandom, and it would be quite easy to make a case for a character like Jean-Luc Picard as being loved. Benefitting from the gravitas and limelight that comes with commanding a given vessel, though, kind of puts the captains out of lockstep with the remainder of the cast.
That’s a long way to say that fans' favorite captains won’t be found here. The ranking itself will revolve around the dedicated crew members who endear themselves to fans on and occasionally off-screen. From iconic figures who transcend the series to unsung heroes who are the heart and soul of their crew, these are themost belovedStar Trekcharacters.
8Harry Kim
Terminal Ensign
This may be the most contentious pick, but no one deserves his flowers more than the criminally overlookedHarry Kim. The character was nearly killed off during Season 3 ofStar Trek: Voyager, with the dedicated ensign among the most underused cast members, but he survived the axe and was eventually given moresignificant plot lines in later seasons.
There was a long-running fan joke about how he was consistently passed over for promotion in the largerStar Trekcanon, despite being a model Starfleet officer, showing dedication and brilliant ingenuity while playing a key role in helping Voyager return from the Delta Quadrant.
7Reginald Barclay
Unlikely Hero
Reginald Barclayis the most anonymous character to have achieved the status of fan favorite. Despite having a small footprint on the series, Barclay made a big enough impression on the fans that the series' creators searched for a worthwhile reason to bring him back. He returned again inVoyagerfor another short run, ultimatelyhelping to bring the ship home.
Barclay’s lovable charm is attributed to his vulnerability and the fact that he is not a model officer. He’s a more realized and anxious character, and this makes him uniquely relatable alongsideStar Trek’s cast of often assured and heroic lead characters.
6The Doctor
Emergency Medical Hologram
When Voyager is stranded, the crew are left without sufficient medical personnel and are forced to activate the emergency hologram they refer to asThe Doctor. As the program is only intended to run for short periods, the rudimentary software is forced to adapt and grow in order to serve as the ship’s foremost medical officer forits multi-year journey.
This gives The Doctor one of the most complex arcs of any crew member, learning to become human and eventually taking on an identity of his own. Portrayed with an endearing wit by Robert Picardo, The Doctor proved a surprise star of the Voyager crew.
5Phlox
Bedside Manner
The mantle of most beloved doctor in the series goes toPhlox, the noble Denobulan. Phlox is just outright likable. He’s a kind and patient soul with an openness to other cultures that allows him to take on the role of a moral glue for the Enterprise crew.
In the early days of the Federation and greater space exploration, Phlox provides a ballast point for the crew,calling into question their inherent prejudicesand helping steer them to the right track. Phlox is also shown to be a gentile and highly capable doctor who cares deeply for the well-being of his patients.
4Quark
Lovable Rogue
The polar opposite of Phlox,Quarkis a character beloved for being a little rascal who’s always pressing his luck. Asthe most notable Ferengi, a species driven solely by the accumulation of wealth, Quark stands out among the supporting cast and is often trying to elicit ill-gotten gains under the noses of the station’s command.
He is played primarily for comic effect, often appearing facetious to the rules of the station. That said, he has shown himself time and time again to be a compassionate and loyal member of the crew.
3Seven Of Nine
Fan Favorite
Seven of Nineis one of the most iconic characters inStar Trekseries' history, standing arguably above all others from any of the post-Star Trek: The Next Generationseries, offeringan in-depth and nuanced takeon one of the series' most notable protagonists, The Borg. Initially brought in as a countermeasure to Kathryn Janeway after Kes was written out ofVoyager, Seven of Nine quickly proved to be a compelling character.
She took on a central role in both self-contained stories and the larger arc ofVoyager, running through to a key role in the finale. Jeri Ryan reprised her role for another highly lauded supporting performance inStar Trek: Picard, proving the character’s popularity endured within the fanbase.
2Data
The Human Android
Star Trekhas toyed a lot with the idea of artificial intelligence and at what point it becomes human. Both The Doctor and, to a lesser extent, Seven of Nine, explored similar journeys, but neither proved to be as heartfelt asData.
Data is another iconic character who hasplayed a significant role in multipleStar Trekfilmsand series. Much of his appeal is down to the stoic and noble nature that Brett Spiner excellently imparts to the character. It’s hard to think of any character who has prompted such a raw emotional response from audiences as Data’s tearful arc in the first season ofStar Trek: Picard, serving a testament to how beloved the character is.
1Spock
Live Long and Prosper
Arguably no name is more synonymous withStar TrekthanSpock, one of the few characters who transcends the series entirely into his own pop culture entity. He embodies many of the traits of the otherbelovedStar Trekcharacters:nobility, loyalty and a level-headed sense of purpose, keeping his fellow crewmates on track.
Spock’s legacy has also been aided by how beloved Leonard Nimoy became in the years since playing him. Nimoy was notable for standing up for his fellow cast members in the early years of the show and, in particular,The Animated Series. His kind, paternal qualities on and off-screen helped ensure thatStar Trekwould go on to be the decade-spanning cultural juggernaut it is today.
