During the series run of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Nana Visitor worked closely with plenty of series regulars, but one, in particular, was "a dream." Visitor starred alongside so many wonderful contemporaries, but she is talking about Colm Meaney in this particular case. The actress told ScreenRant in a recent interview:
"Working with Colm is a dream. He's just an incredible actor. It's easy to go, 'Well, he makes it look so easy.' It's just this natural thing. He's incredible. So working with him was wonderful. Looking back at it, really, the scenes should have been between Keiko and me. I think that would have been much more truthful, much more filled with gray area, and unresolved feelings, and unclear feelings. That would have been the storyline to pursue. And I think if we were doing it today, that's what the writers would have done."
It's easy to understand why Visitor speaks so highly of Meaney and his acting. He's one of the most highly-regarded Irish actors of his time and is the recipient of several acting awards and nominations, including a Golden Globe-nod. Meaney was one of my favorite characters on Star Trek: The Next Generation, although why the DS9 writers put that man through it constantly still escapes me. O'Brien could have had some great story arcs!
The talented actor played chief engineer Miles O'Brien, one of the many characters from Star Trek: The Next Generation to appear on Deep Space Nine. However, O'Brien and Michael Dorn (joined DS9 in season 4) were the two TNG actors to become series regulars on DS9. Visitor and Meaney worked closely together during Kira's pregnancy storyline, when Kira carried Kieko and Miles' unborn child after an accident no longer allowed Keiko to do so.
Visitor believes DS9 was a mirror for the fans
Expanding on her comments regarding Kira, Chief O'Brien, and their uncertain feelings for each other during the pregnancy arc, Visitor mused about the lack of overtones between Kira and Keiko. She also told ScreenRant in the same sit-down:
"Sign of the times. But I have to say there's, there was such usefulness, because everyone recognizes themselves in the stories immediately. It doesn't really matter. And those stories were useful to get some people who are uncomfortable closer. And instead of going, 'No, that's someone I don't know in my life,' they would get to know the character slowly and form a relationship with them in their heart, and then have to accept them. 'Okay, so this is what this stands for.' It's like a slow boil. I think DS9 was useful in that way."
The Star Trek franchise has long been an inspiration for those looking for safe spaces and inclusivity. Visitor truly nailed it when she spoke about how love for fictional characters takes people places they never would have gone otherwise, and some even accepted themselves in ways they may have never done before. This is why stories matter.
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