Armin Shimerman was flattered by call to return as Quark

Armin Shimerman played Quark on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine for seven seasons. 

This week’s episode of the 7th Rule Podcast took the host, Cirroc Lofton, back to the time he spent on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine with his fellow actors as he had the opportunity to talk with Armin Shimerman (Quark) and Nana Visitor (Colonel Nerys) after their recent voice appearances on Star Trek: Lower Decks [via Trekmovie].

Both actors were happy to return to the roles that had been close to their hearts for seven seasons, and when asked if there was a lot of discussion about how their characters’ returns would be handled before they agreed to guest star, Visitor said no, and that didn’t seem to matter to either actor. Shimerman said it was flattering that the producers wanted Quark to return and called it a “nod of recognition.”

Armin Shimerman has said before he would return as Quark, just not full-time.

Shimerman reiterated his earlier statements when Lofton asked if he would be up for a return to Quark in a live-action Star Trek series. The actor said he’s too old to be in Quark make-up full-time, but he would definitely be up for a guest-starring or recurring role.

"So yes… I would love to do that. I don’t think I would love to do it as a series regular, at least not on a non-animated show, because of makeup, I’m an old man. But but a recurring character or a guest star shot, I would jump at that opportunity."

It’s well past time that Star Trek bring characters back from Deep Space Nine. With all the talks of projects in production and the full cast of Star Trek: The Next Generation being brought back to Star Trek: Picard, there’s an opportunity to introduce newer Star Trek fans to the wonderful cast of Deep Space Nine. And Visitor and Shimerman both proved they can slip right back into their characters with ease. It’s time these actors get more than just a “nod of recognition.”