Star Trek: Discovery Star Addresses Critics Of The Show’s Diversity

The first trailer for Star Trek: Discovery captivated audiences when it premiered earlier this year. But while some praised the show’s inclusive cast, others chose to see it as a forced attempt at diversity.

One of the show’s stars, Sonequa Martin-Green, has very optimistic words in response to that initial backlash. During a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, Martin-Green argued that the very essence of Star Trek has always been about inclusion.

“I would encourage them to key into the essence and spirit of Star Trek that has made it the legacy it is — and that’s looking across the way to the person sitting in front of you and realizing you are the same, that they are not separate from you, and we are all one. That’s something Star Trek has always upheld and I completely believe that is why it’s been a mainstay in society in the hearts of so many people for so many decades. I would encourage them to look past their opinions and social conditioning and key into what we’re doing here — which is telling a story about humanity that will hopefully bring us all together.”

Martin-Green then addressed how significant the diversity on Star Trek – and the opportunity she has as a star of Discovery – has personally impacted her.

“I’m incredibly proud to be the lead of this show and be at the forefront of an iteration of Star Trek that’s from the eyes of a black woman that’s never been done before, though obviously there’s been other forms of diversity that have been innovated by Trek. I feel like we’re taking another step forward, which I think all stories should do. We should go boldly where nobody has gone before and stay true to that.”

Star Trek: Discovery takes place roughly a decade prior to the five-year mission of Star Trek: The Original Series. In breaking with franchise tradition, the show’s main protagonist will not be a captain. Instead, it will be First Officer Michael Burnham, played by The Walking Dead alum Sonequa Martin-Green.

Star Trek: Discovery‘s cast also includes Jason Isaacs as the starship Discovery’s Captain Lorca, Rainn Wilson as Star Trek: The Original Series character Harry Mudd, James Frain as Sarek, Spock’s father, and Michelle Yeoh as Captain Georgiou, the captain of another Starfleet ship, the Shenzhou, which will be important to the plot of Star Trek: Discovery. Doug Jones and Anthony Rapp both play science officers. Mary Wiseman will play a final year Starfleet Academy cadet.

Star Trek: Discovery premieres Sept. 24, 2017.

More Star Trek News: Sonequa Martin-Green Confirms Her Star Trek: Discovery Character’s Origin / Star Trek: Discovery Showrunners Explains The Series’ Production Delays / Star Trek: Discovery Premiere Mirrors The Next Generation 30 Years Later / Star Trek: Discovery To Blur Line Between Movies And TV