Star Trek: The Original Series - Ranking Every Major Character Worst To Best

While Uhura was a popular character in her own right, she ranks higher than Chekov and Sulu on this list because of the level of cultural significance she brought to the franchise.

The communications officer aboard the Enterprise, Lieutenant Nyota Uhura (Nichelle Nichols) is the first woman on the main show to be shown as more than just a love interest for Kirk. She is portrayed as highly intelligent, specializing in linguistics, cryptography, and philology. She was also one of the first black characters to be cast in a non-menial role on an American television series. She also took part in one of the first interracial kisses on television in the season three epsiode 'Plato's stepchildren' (okay, it was with Kirk, but it was still a big moment for the show).

Legacy aside, Uhura is also a capable bridge officer, readily manning the helm, navigation and science stations on the bridge when needed. She's also got a beautiful singing voice, and a number of her serenades in episodes (accompanied by Spock on the Vulcan lyre) are surprisingly emotional for a sci-fi show.