‘Star Trek: Discovery’ Is Shaping Up To Be One Of The Most Diverse Star Trek Casts Ever

Trekkies, we’ve finally found our captain. This morning, it was officially announced who would take on the lead role in CBS All Access’ Star Trek: Discovery. Sonequa Martin-Green, who is known for her role on AMC’s The Walking Dead, will be our new fearless leader.

Martin-Green is known for playing series regular Sasha Williams on AMC’s hit zombie show. According to reports, in the new Star Trek series, she will be tackling the role of Rainsford, a lieutenant commander who steers the spaceship. Early on, show creator Bryan Fuller said that the lead character would not be a traditional captain like Captain Kirk but instead a “lieutenant commander with caveats.” Rainsford will be referred to in the series as “Number One,” a nod to the original Star Trek pilot. Entertainment Weekly reports Martin-Green will continue to star in The Walking Dead.

This announcement follows a long and exhaustive casting process. Very early on, Fuller, who has since exited the series, made it clear that Discovery will have a diverse crew. Finding a female non-white lead was a priority for the series. The show also includes an openly gay crew member, played by Anthony Rapp, and the talented Michelle Yeoh, who is Chinese-Malaysian. Rapp will be playing Stamets, a Science Officer who specializes in the study of fungi in space, and Yeoh has a recurring role as Georgiou, Captain of the USS Shenzhou. Doug Jones is also listed as a main character for the series. Judging from Jones’ past with special effects, it’s likely that Lieutenant Saru will be of some intergalactic species.

Though Fuller has since departed the series, his focus and insistence on having a more inclusive Star Trek crew speaks to the overall tone of the franchise. Star Trek has always been a property about peaceful exploration and acceptance of all races, genders, species, and sexualities. Discovery will be the first Star Trek series to premiere in over a decade, and so far, it looks like it’s going to be a good one.

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