Ro Laren is a fictional character who appears on a recurring basis in the , and seasons of the American science fiction television series "". Portrayed by Michelle Forbes, she is a member of the Bajoran race who joins the crew of the USS "Enterprise"-D over the fervent objection of Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart), who cited her previous court-martial. Ro, too, was against joining the Enterprise crew, but said "it is better than prison." The character was intended both to be at odds with the series regulars and to replace Wesley Crusher at the conn officer post on the bridge. Forbes was cast to portray Ro, after previously appearing in the series as Dara in the episode "".