In another step towards improving diversity in science fiction, the makers of the upcoming series Star Trek Discovery have announced it will feature a lead female, gay character.
Okay, you can totally beam us up Scotty because this is something we can get on board with.
This week, at the Television Critics Association's summer press tour, show runner Bryan Fuller revealed the new series – which will be available to stream on Netflix next year – will focus on a female gay character – the first in the epic franchise.
However, contrary to previous series that have focussed on the captain as the protagonist, the lead character will not be at the ship's helm – a conscious effort by Fuller to offer viewers a 'different perspective' of life onboard the starship.
'We're going to deep into something that was for me always very tantalising and to tell that story through a character who is on a journey that is going to teach her how to get along with others in the galaxy,' he added.
While its not the first time a Star Trek series has had a female lead (OITNB's Kate Mulgrew played Captain Kathryn Janeway on Star Trek: Voyager), it's a positive step towards reflecting the broad range of Trek fleet recruits.
'Star Trek started with a wonderful expression of diversity in its cast: a Russian, a black woman, an Asian, a Vulcan … we're continuing that tradition and our lead of the show is going to be subject of that same level of who is the best actor and what can we say about diversity in every role we'll have on the show'
'We wanted to paint a picture of Star Fleet that's indicative of encountering people who are much more different than we are,' continued Fuller.
According to Deadline, it's also rumoured the lead character won't be white in a bid to improve representation of society on screen – a message repeated by CBS president Glenn Geller who told critics 'we need to do better' when questioned about the network's lack of diversity.
Here's what else we know about the up-coming series:
- The show is going old school and will be set 10 years before Captain Kirk's five year mission.
- While there will be more aliens there will also be robots forming part of the crew. Well, as long as it's not a cyborg…
- Young versions of the characters seen in Kirk's crew might pop up in later seasons such as Spock's mother. Please let it be Winonaa Ryder again (she played the role in JJ Abrams's 2009 film).
- The first season will consist of 13 episodes, not the traditional 20-24 episodes. We know, we know, but 'resistance is futile'.
Live long and prosper Trekkies.
Katie O'Malley is the Site Director on ELLE UK. On a daily basis you’ll find Katie managing all digital workflow, editing site, video and newsletter content, liaising with commercial and sales teams on new partnerships and deals (eg Nike, Tiffany & Co., Cartier etc), implementing new digital strategies and compiling in-depth data traffic, SEO and ecomm reports. In addition to appearing on the radio and on TV, as well as interviewing everyone from Oprah Winfrey to Rishi Sunak PM, Katie enjoys writing about lifestyle, culture, wellness, fitness, fashion, and more.
