Michelle Forbes- Then
Michelle Forbes left an indelible mark on Star Trek: The Next Generation when she portrayed the complex character Ro Laren, beginning her journey in season five and continuing until season seven. Ro Laren started as a Lieutenant in the Federation Starfleet, but her storyline took a dramatic turn in her final appearance in the episode "Preemptive Strike."
Dissatisfied with the Federation and its principles, Ro made the radical decision to defect to the Maquis, ultimately becoming a permanent member of their organization. This choice resonated with her on a profound level, as her troubled upbringing had starkly contrasted with the more privileged lives of Federation children. Ro described her early life as a "long, depressing period."
