Gene Page/AMC(LOS ANGELES) — Looks like Sonequa Martin-Green will be putting on a Starfleet uniform: she’s joined the new CBS All Access series, Star Trek: Discovery.
According to the L.A. Times, Martin-Green, who plays Sasha Williams on AMC’s The Walking Dead, will play Lt. Cmdr. Rainsford on the upcoming show. She’ll be the first African-American woman to lead the cast of a Star Trek series. The last female of color in a prominent role on the show was Nichelle Nichols, who played Lt. Uhura in the original series.
Martin-Green’s character was reportedly picked by showrunner Bryan Fuller, who wanted to cast a a female, nonwhite actress for the central role.
The new drama will also feature Anthony Rapp as the Star Trek‘s first openly-gay character, Lt. Stamets. Star Trek: Discovery is set to premiere in May 2017.
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