The Star Trek universe is making history by adding the franchise's first-ever trans and nonbinary characters!
According to The Hollywood Reporter, CBS All-Access' already queer-inclusive Star Trek series Discovery is set to add two brand new gender diverse characters to their lineup (a story PRIDE reported on last year!).
According to a tweet from the show's official account, newcomer Blu del Barrio is set to make their TV debut playing nonbinary Adira, and The OA's Ian Alexander is set to play a trans character named Gray in Discovery's upcoming third season, which is premiering on the CBS streaming platform next month.
"Star 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," Michelle Paradise, Discovery's co-showrunner and executive producer, said in a statement to THR. "We 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."
And this isn't the first time Discovery has made big moves when it comes to LGBTQ+ representation in mainstream TV!
Though they've had quite a few stumbles, the Star Trek franchise has a very long history of showcasing queer storylines and characters who identify all over the LGBTQ+ spectrum. Discovery, which premiered in September of 2017, is notable for being the first Star Trek series to feature openly and explicitly gay main characters Paul Stamets (played by Anthony Rapp) and Dr. Hugh Culber (played by Wilson Cruz), as well as Tig Notaro’s lesbian character Jett Reno.
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The future is bright for LGBTQ+ Trekkies!
Season 3 of Star Trek: Discovery drops October 15 on CBS All Access!
