Since the 1960s, Star Trek has made people want to explore the galaxy. The latest version of the series, Star Trek: Discovery, first airing in 2017, cultivated a historic cast.
The creators, Alex Kurtzman and Michelle Paradise, went to great lengths to build a team of people who represent the diverse and inclusive world we live in today. The series stars Sonequa Martin-Green, the franchise’s first Black female lead.
Green plays Captain Michael Burnham, the leader of the Discovery crew, whose expertise is constantly questioned by those around her. Throughout the series, Burnham was on an internal mission to find her place within the Vulcan society and has taken a self-discovery journey, in order to find her place.
Green says Burnham has evolved greatly since the beginning of the series. “Now, at this point, not only is she not threatened by the questions, but she welcomes them,” said Green. “Because sometimes great ideas come from those questions and people have to feel comfortable to do that and you have to have the maturity to receive questions as well.”
Star Trek: Discovery is also historic for casting several actors from within the LGBTQ+ community, including the franchise’s first non-binary crew member. Although the groundbreaking series is coming to an end, the series’ creators Alex Kurtzman and Michelle Paradise hope the series has a positive impact on future generations.
“I hope people will continue to come back to Discovery and discover it for the first time, show their kids and that little kids can look and see who they can be… That’s what the wonderful thing is about television is that you can see a reflection of who you might be able to be someday,” said Paradise.
The fifth and final season of Star Trek: Discovery premieres on April 4 on Paramount+
