Star Trek has been known as a franchise that has been barrier-breaking with its inclusivity. The original series had the first interracial on-screen kiss, had an Asian and Black character in the main line-up, and even had a Russian character at the height of the Cold War. Now they are boldly going where they haven’t gone before; Star Trek: Discovery Season 3 will feature both a trans and a non-binary character in its upcoming season.
Next season will have a character named Gray, who will be played by trans actor Ian Alexander. Alexander is best known for Netflix’s The OA and for playing Lev in The Last of Us Part II. Adira, a non-binary character, will be played by Blu del Barrio, who is also non-binary.
“Adira is a wonderfully complex character,” Barrio told GLAAD in an interview about the character. “Mainly because of this duality they have within them: they’re astonishingly intelligent and yet they’re still a kid. They experience their emotions at a heightened level, like most teenagers. That’s what makes them so fun to play. I like to describe them as cerebrally brilliant and emotionally a puppy. Adira is an introvert, but they keep a few people close to the chest, which I definitely resonate with. I don’t want to say too much and get in trouble, but all in all, Adira is a uniquely strange and beautiful character.”
These two are not the only new characters coming to the show. David Ajala is playing Cleveland Booke, though nothing is known about the character. The rest of the crew, including Sonequa Martin-Green, will be back for the new season.
Watch the NYCC teaser for the new season from last year:
Star Trek: Discovery Season 3 will premiere on CBS All Access on October 15, 2020.
