Keiko O'Brien

Keiko O'Brien is a character in the fictional Star Trek universe, played by actress Rosalind Chao. Introduced in 1991, she is the civilian spouse of Starfleet crew member Miles O'Brien (played by Colm Meaney) appearing occasionally in later seasons of the series Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987–1994), and more frequently as a supporting character throughout Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993–1999), as well as in related media such as novels. The producers wanted her as a regular character on Deep Space Nine, but Chao was only available part-time. Keiko was introduced as a romantic interest for the recurring Next Generation character of Chief O'Brien, and stories involving her and the couple's children allowed Star Trek to expand its narrative beyond weekly space missions. She is a professional botanist, and becomes a teacher on Deep Space Nine, where her husband has been stationed. She is of Japanese ancestry, which is reflected in Keiko's and Miles' Japanese-Irish marriage ceremony, and by her observance of other family traditions. Casting and appearances Keiko is played by Chinese-American actress Rosalind Chao, who had first come to public attention playing Soon-Lee, the Korean wife of Max Klinger, in the final episode of M*A*S*H and in its spin-off AfterMASH. Actress Patti Yasutake – who would later play nurse Alyssa Ogawa on The Next Generation – auditioned unsuccessfully for the role. Chao also auditioned for the role of Tasha Yar, the Enterprise security chief from season 1.