Since the beginning of Star Trek, the role of the first officer has been a vital one for the franchise. It only makes sense to have a second-in-command ready to step in when the captain isn’t able to lead, and the science fiction franchise has done a fine job filling that role. Every Trek series features its own first officer, some better at the job than others.
The best ones are amazing characters who clearly could become leaders in their own right. Yet they fit the role of the first officer just as well, still learning while proving themselves worthy of their captain’s trust. Now, here’s how the five best first officers in Star Trek rank.
5. Una Chin-Riley aka Number One, Strange New Worlds
Initially played by Majel Barrett in the Jeffrey Hunter-led pilot "The Cage," the woman known only as Number One showed up on Discovery and then became a regular character on Strange New Worlds. Rebecca Romijn brought a pleasant aura to the character, tough yet with a light sense of humor. The revelation that she was an Illyrian added more layers to her as she had to fight to remain in Starfleet, which earned her more respect.
The best parts of the performance are showing the lighter side of Una, like the hysterical bit where being around her Vulcan ex named Doug (Patton Oswalt) turns her into a tongue-tied mess. Yet when the chips are down, Una is there to keep everyone on track and make herself a legend both in and out of the Star Trek universe.