Nana Visitor plays First Officer Major Kira Nerys, a Bajoran female who is a former terrorist. She has been fighting for Bajoran independence most of her life and is skeptical of the Federation's involvement on Deep Space Nine. "Kira embodies the warrior archetype that all women to a lesser or greater degree possess," Nana explains. "Her aggression is not without purpose, but is passionately connected to her love of the culture, spirituality, and history of the people of Bajor. A mentally and physically fearless fighter, she'll do anything for what she believes is for the good of Bajor."

A New York native, Nana was born and raised on the westside, in and around the theater district. The daughter of theatrical parents, Nana's father was a Broadway choreographer, and her mother, a ballet instructor. Nana herself began to study ballet in her mother's studio at age 7, and by the end of high school, was tapping her way to Broadway. Visitor appeared with Angela Lansbury in the touring production of "Gypsy," and later appeared in "42nd Street." Her other stage credits include "My One and Only," "The Ladies Room" at the Tiffany Theater in Los Angeles, and "A Musical Jubilee." While still in New York, Nana appeared in the ABC daytime soap operas Ryan's Hope and One Life to Live. Nana made her feature film debut appearing with Ava Gardner in "The Sentinel." Since arriving in Los Angeles in 1985, Nana has appeared in many television shows such as Empty Nest, Murder, She Wrote, Baby Talk, thirtysomething, Jake and the Fatman, L.A. Law, In the Heat of the Night, and Matlock. In addition, Nana starred in the role of Bryn Newhouse on the NBC sitcom Working Girl. In a busy 2001, Visitor appeared on Broadway playing Roxie Hart in the Tony Award-winning musical "Chicago" and was also featured on Fox's Dark Angel.