Continuing to boldly go where the franchise has never gone before, CBS All Acess has announced Star Trek: Discovery will add the first transgender and non-binary characters to the sci-fi stalwart.
ET reports that Ian Alexander, of The OA fame, will join the cast of Season 3 as Gray, a would-be Trill host. In the Star Trek universe, the Trill are a symbiotic species, always living in pairs. The humanoid form (played by Alexander) is the host for another, far older, form of alien life. The pair share memories and personality traits when united.
Related: Michael Chabon is afraid he didnât make âStar Trek: Picardâ obviously gay enough. Really.
Blu del Barrio will play the role of Adria, a hyper-intelligent non-binary teenager. Adria joins the crew of the Discovery after bonding with the shipâs resident gay couple, Hugh and Paul (played by Wilson Cruz & Anthony Rapp, respectively). Hugh and Paul already made history as the first on-screen gay couple in Star Trek canon. For del Barrio, Star Trek: Discovery will mark their acting debut.
Cruz shared his joy over the announcement, tweeting:Â âI couldnât be more excited for or PROUD of these TWO new loves of my life if I tried. We are family! #lgbtq #representationmatters Love you so much!â
I couldnât be more excited for or PROUD of these TWO new loves of my life if I tried. We are family! #lgbtq #representationmatters ????????? Love you so much! https://t.co/JpXhhAtxcI
â Wilson Cruz (@wcruz73) September 2, 2020
For CBS All Access, the addition of Alexander and del Barrio represents a pivotal moment not just for Star Trek, but for the streaming network as a whole. As such, the writers have consulted with Nick Adams, Director of Transgender Representation for GLAAD to create characters both compelling and authentic.
âStar Trek has always made a mission of giving visibility to underrepresented communities because it believes in showing people that a future without division on the basis of race, gender, gender identity or sexual orientation is entirely within our reach,â co-showrunner Michelle Paradise said in a statement. âWe take pride in working closely with Blu del Barrio, Ian Alexander and Nick Adams at GLAAD to create the extraordinary characters of Adira and Gray, and bring their stories to life with empathy, understanding, empowerment and joy.â
Star Trek: Discovery returns for Season 3 on October 15.
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controversial2019
I watched Ian Alexander in Netflixâs âThe OAâ and found him to be a really talented actor.
I just wish though that they didnât feel the need to make a Trans actor, a Trans character. Why couldnât Ian portray a cis-male character? I feel like if we keep genders/sexualities within their boxes (Trans play Trans, gay plays gay) rather than allowing the freedom for a trans actor to play a cis-character or a gay actor to play a straight character, it just becomes limiting.
I canât remember the actorâs name (using gender neutral term actor) but in The Politician you have James and the actor is trans or non-binary, however their all character is not; their character is a cis heterosexual male. Thatâs what we need to have to truly show inclusion and diversity; actors being cast to play characters that do not necessarily relate to who/what they are.
frapachino
Does your head spin while you spew such nonsense!
Cam
But who better to play a non binary character than somebody who has an understanding. Otherwise we get that character in Modern Family that was just over the top and insulting.
Oh and @frapachino, nothing upsets you right winger more than LGBTQ people getting representation.
As for Star Trek Discovery, LOVED the gay couple that had on there, so nice to see they are really committed to acknowledging other people exist outside of just straight folks. Nice job and I’ll definitely be tuning in.
WashDrySpin
a total internet loser
WashDrySpin
Cam on Modern Family as well as his husband were the two WORST characters …even their daughter Lily was a better character…
frapachino
Cause the world is clamoring for a non binary Star Trek character! Violent eye roll here!
DarkZephyr
Oh come on Dude. Do you enjoy it when people mock the inclusion of gay characters?
Cam
Again, NOTHING enrages right wing trolls more than anybody giving LGBTQ people visibility.
Milton
At the risk of going full nerd there have been non binary characters in star trek before just not as regular characters, maybe your article should read first regular non binary and trans characters.
Charlie in Charge
I had the same thought! I think the distinction is that these are the first human NB and trans characters. We have definitely had non-binary alien species (I think Riker fell in lust with one on TNG) and the Trill sort of have a trans storyline but I think (and I may be forgetting someone) we haven’t had fully human characters like these before. Again, could be wrong.
Catholicslutbox
Iâm only interested in hot masc characters.
anthony79
Well donât look in the mirror then.
controversial2019
@frapachino
What part of my comment was nonsense?
The complimenting of Ianâs acting in âThe OAâ? The complimenting of the actor who plays James in âThe Politicianâ?
Or do you consider my desire to see Trans/Non-Binary actors being able to play roles other than Trans/Non-Binary characters to be nonsense? Are you saying you want their acting roles to be limited to ONLY those that reflect their gender identity?
I donât get it.
Cam
The actor in “The Politician” was great casting, I agree a huge step forward!
Jake123
Hopefully the show improves. It was torture watching the whole series. Fans of Star Trek watch Picard, much better!! đ
anthony79
Definitely difficult… I thought season 2 was a huge improvement over season 1 though. I loathed the klingon storyline in season 1 and I hated the bearded crew member that was in live with Michael.
Picard is the best though. Seven being a total badass gives me gay woody.
I want to see Jeri Ryan and Kylie Minogue playing sisters in a Girly drama movie so fricking bad. đ
Cam
@anthony79 said…. “I want to see Jeri Ryan and Kylie Minogue playing sisters in a Girly drama movie so fricking bad.”
Perfect casting for some Hallmark or Netflix movie about two sisters, or two former high school rivals that hate each other, overcome obstacles, and in the end find out that they have more in common then they thought. đ
Jake123
@anthony79 Plus Whoopi G returns in Picard season 2 which Iâm super excited about. And yes 7 was my favourite part of season 1!!
anthony79
Did you see the clip of Patrick Stewart asking whoopi to appear in season 2 on the view? She was like a giddy little puppy and I think sheâs so fricking adorable! đ
Canât wait to see her next season, and whoever else they bring back.
Cam
My only problem with Picard…….not enough episodes!
Jake123
@anthony79 I donât think she like The View at all, sheâs a proper actress and comedian, I imagine the View is not very fulfilling. Hopefully this gets her more gigs
Have you ever seen the clip of her talking with an autistic man about Star Trek and how she influenced his life. I mean I was a total mess lol
@Cam Totally and it was so nice to see a sci-fi revival actually being good because Star Wars was Rubbish!!
WashDrySpin
I love Star Trek Discovery EXCITED for Season 3 starting in October 2020; keep those inclusive and diverse characters and storylines coming!!