Star Trek

Good news for one franchise might be grim for another, as CBS’ Star Trek: Discovery has found its lead on The Walking Dead. Sonequa Martin-Green will beam up as the central character of CBS’ new Trek venture, the first in the franchise to be led by an African-American woman.

If ever you wondered which alien race might have the largest presence in CBS’ Star Trek: Discovery, the latest round of casting isn’t exactly subtle. Three new stars have joined the All-Access cast, and all three of them playing Klingon roles.

Bryan Fuller’s stretched schedule made it likely one production had to give, though Star Trek fans were particularly dismayed to see Discovery suffering Fuller’s exit. The Hannibal creator remains an executive producer, but according to Fuller himself, that credit marks the full extent of his involvement.

At long last, the veil of Star Trek: Discovery began to lift with the casting of Michelle Yeoh, and now two new crew members have beamed aboard as well. Not only will Rent alum Anthony Rapp play the first openly-gay Star Trek character on TV, but creature favorite Doug Jones will continue his diverse body of work.

Star Trek: Discovery producer and franchise heavy Nicholas Meyer unexpectedly let slip that Michelle Yeoh might be boarding the title ship, but trades are finally confirming. Yeoh won’t lead Star Trek: Discovery itself, but nonetheless play a major role with a separate vessel.

The outlook on CBS’ Star Trek: Discovery grew somewhat dim with delayed production and the exit of Bryan Fuller, but its first official casting might perk things right back up. According to reports, Crouching Tiger star Michelle Yeoh is the first to board Discovery, potentially in a leading role.

The big emotional climax of Star Wars: The Force Awakens isn’t a lightsaber battle or a dogfight in space or even two characters talking. The last scene of 2015’s Star Wars saga revival follows Rey, a young woman from a desert planet, as she finally locates Luke Skywalker, the reclusive former hero of the galactic Rebellion. Without saying a word, Rey approaches Luke, reaches into her bag, and offers the Jedi master his old lightsaber.

Even before pushing back its premiere and losing Bryan Fuller as showrunner, Star Trek: Discovery had a world of work to justify fans signing up for CBS All-Access to watch. CBS naturally sees the new Trek as a flagship attraction, but it seems bosses didn’t think Star Trek: Discovery would have survived broadcast demands anyway.

Yesterday saw CBS’s Star Trek: Discovery suffer the notable blow of losing showrunner Bryan Fuller at the helm, though with production set to begin next month, cast announcements should nonetheless arrive soon. New reports confirm that the cast will feature a Klingon captain, along with an openly gay actor, new admirals and more.

Star Trek fans eager for a look at CBS’ new Discovery were forgiving of the move from January to May 2017, but is the franchise’s TV return already in trouble? Star attraction Bryan Fuller has apparently stepped down as showrunner, while Akiva Goldsman has joined in a significant role.