‘Walking Dead’ Star Sonequa Martin-Green Lands ‘Star Trek: Discovery’ LeadPosted by Wilson Morales
December 14, 2016
Source: Variety
According to Variety, “The Walking Dead” actress Sonequa Martin-Green has landed the lead role on CBS All Access’ “Star Trek: Discovery.”
Sources confirmed to Variety that the actress will continue as a series regular on the AMC zombie drama while tackling the lead role on CBS relaunch of the science-fiction television franchise.
Original showrunner Bryan Fuller had at Comic-Con this summer, indicated that he wanted to cast a woman of color in the lead role, citing inspiration from Mae Jamison, the first African-American female astronaut and Nichelle Nichols, the lone African American and lone female cast member on the original “Star Trek” series. In August, speaking at the Television Critics Association press tour, Fuller confirmed that the lead character would be a woman and that she would not hold the rank of captain, as “Star Trek” leads traditionally have.
Martin-Green joins Michelle Yeoh, who’s been cast to play the ship’s captain, Douglas Jones and Anthony Rapp, Chris Obi, Shazad Latif, and Mary Chieffo. Obi will play T’Kuvma, a Klingon leader seeking to unite the Klingon houses. Latif will play Kol, commanding officer of the Klingons and protégé of T’Kuvma. Chieffo will play L’Rell, the battle deck commander of the Klingon ship.
The first season will be 13 episodes and set in the Prime Universe, 10 years before Captain Kirk’s five-year mission
Fuller exited the showrunner role in October, after CBS was forced to push back the series premiere from February to May, and was replaced by fellow executive producers Gretchen Berg and Aaron Harberts. The casting search continued to drag on, with CBS Television Studios, which is producing the series, focusing its efforts on casting an African-American or Latino actress.
