Posted on 09/02/2020 11:26:00 AM PDT by EdnaMode
The final frontier is continuing to bring audiences inclusive characters played by members of underrepresented communities in Hollywood. The third season of CBS All Access’ Star Trek: Discovery will introduce the first non-binary and transgender characters in Gene Roddenberry’s iconic franchise that celebrates diversity via a sci-fi lens.
Blu del Barrio will make their screen acting debut as the non-binary character Adira, who is highly intelligent with a confidence and self-assurance well beyond their years. They will find a new home on the USS Discovery and form an unexpected bond with Lt. Commander Paul Stamets (Anthony Rapp) and Dr. Hugh Culber (Wilson Cruz)
Ian Alexander will play the transgender character Gray, empathetic, warm and eager to fulfill his lifelong dream of being a Trill host, but he will have to adapt when his life takes an unexpected turn.
“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,” said Michelle Paradise, co-showrunner and executive producer. “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.”
Del Barrio is a non-binary actor who uses they/them pronouns. Del Barrio was in their final year of studies at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art when they auditioned for the role. Del Barrio has been acting in theater and short films before making their debut in Star Trek: Discovery.
Alexander, who uses they/them and he/him pronouns, is best known for his roles as Buck Vu on Netflix’s The OA and Lev in the video game The Last of Us Part II. Alexander made history as the first out transgender Asian-American person to act on television. He is also an advocate for transgender equality, racial justice and mental health awareness for LGBTQ+ youth.
In addition to having the first-ever openly non-binary and transgender characters, Star Trek: Discovery was moving the needle with inclusivity since season one. Sonequa Martin-Green made history as the first woman of color to lead a show in the Star Trek franchise. In addition, the aforementioned Anthony Rapp and Wilson Cruz play the first openly gay characters who are in a same-sex marriage in the franchise.
The third season of Star Trek: Discovery will premiere October 15. New episodes of the 13-episode season will be available on-demand weekly on Thursdays.
Way to kill a franchise.
I stopped paying attention to STD halfway thru season 1. If I need to see how badly its sucking lately, I just watch Doomcock’s reviews. They are 10X more entertaining than the show itself.
As for “first ever” non-binary and trans characters, the species Riker fell in love with in the TNG episode “The Outcast” (which itself was SJW propaganda but looks tame compared to the recent trash) was a “non-binary” society where they don’t have males or females, and Dax on DS9 was a “trans” character who had been a male 3 times and a female 5 times. The Trill symbiont lives for hundreds of years and joins itself to different hosts, male and female, over the years until the host dies of old age, and then it moves on to a younger host. When she met a young Dr. McCoy in one of the DS9 novels, and “came out” as having living a past life as a man, he was understandably uncomfortable with that fact and broke off the relationship immediately. (Dr. Crusher did the same in TNG when she learned her Trill boyfriend’s new host was female). Of course, that was back when Star Trek was sane.
It’s now a given whenever STD pats themselves on back for being the “first ever” Star Trek series to do something, its probably been done a dozen times before.
“Blu del Barrio”
She’d look cuter with long hair.
“Discovery” is just garbage, forget about the lib stuff, it’s garbage regardless. Klingon time crystals!!!!!!!!!!??? You could literally shit out better writing.
I dont pay for TV station subscription services. Its all garbage.
I don't think there is anything "left wing" about a "Racism is bad" themed episode, unless you buy the leftist propaganda that conservatives have always been racist and/or anti-civil rights, and all those card-carrying RAT politians opposing desegregation in the 1960s were like "today's Republicans" and that "the two parties switched sides" overnight by magic.
In any case, the episode Let That Be Your Last Battlefield was indeed an example of social commentary in TOS, though it wasn't "very good science fiction", nor an example of TOS's finest hour.
There was a thread a while back on TV episodes/movies that were filled with SJW propaganda but were nevertheless entertaining as hell. Such a phenomenon is rare but it does occasionally happen, like Joel Schumacher making a great movie.
One of Jodie Whittaker's early Doctor Who episodes is like that, she goes back in time to fix history so Rosa Parks will stand up on the bus. The episode was a blast to watch, even though it was obvious SJW propaganda. NOT because it dealt with "racism", but because it was obviously made to thumb its nose at the Trump era.
That makes it a "blast"?
Anyway the villain's actions were pointless, if it wasn't Rosa Parks it would have been someone else. In fact before Parks there was 15 year old Claudette Colvin, who didn't get much publicity.
I don’t think I’ve seen “Let That Be Your Last Battlefield “
I had heard of it, that it sucked. But the Hollywood reporter ranks it #11 of TOS episodes so I guess some people like it.
Frank Gorshin was the highlight of that heavy-handed ST ep, however.
The Rosa Parks thing was a contrived photo-op. They didn’t want to credit the teenage Colvin because she was an unwed teen mom, but she was the real hero (but her personal life at the time was a substantial reason why local civil rights groups had to bury her story).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claudette_Colvin
Star Trek: STD <- really
The youtube reviewers have really savaged Star Trek: STD as they should. I saw several episodes the first season and could take no more. Just the name Star Trek is all they have.
The actors all took a knee to support the killing of the police and the lead actress looks angry all the time.
Now they want to further destroy it as they know season 3 is the last and may not be a full season either.
#8 I remember the episode where Picard was troubled thru out the episode on which brand of tea he wanted to have. He settled on Earl Grey. He then had a staff meeting about it.
#30 Our ancestors built a country without the distraction of tv.
No way.
#49 When I figured out what Dax was a guy it was yuck!
Plus the Klingon Worf married him or it.
#73 true story. You gotta buy the blu ray disc set to see it.... : )
I know. YUCK!
“Blu del Barrio” sounds like what happens when you put the name “Bill de Blasio” thru Autocorrect or something.
In any case, this “Blu del Barrio” person (I bet that’s NOT its actual birthname) is mildly attractive, and I would probably guess its actual gender is female. And I actually agree with “Blu” that she (he? it?) would probably make a good addition to a Tim Burton movie.
I’m glad you agree STD is Hot Garbage, as I recall, you thought Season 1 wasn’t all that bad while Fieldmarshaldj and I thought it was unwatchable dung. I haven’t seen anything past the first 8 episodes, but reading the plot summaries of the “much better” season 2 (turning Spock into an emo bearded hipster and a mass murderer to boot) made me glad I am NOT watching more.
I’m a big Mirror Universe fan, they had that in season 1. It was watchable, I’d wouldn’t re-watch it. When the best thing is the fat chick......
The “Short Treks” were ok
Season 2 was muff cabbage. My friend, KLINGON. TIME. CRYSTALS. WHAT THE ACTUAL FQQQQ were they thinking. The only interesting part of the season was the stuff with the alien first officer and his species.
The “plot” became ever worse than the crappy “Michael” protagonist. “Spock” as I mentioned before made me miss Zack Queerto. Spinoff coming “Strange New Worlds”.
I’m washing my hair during season 3 (they had to travel permanently to the distant future to stop skynet or something).
I watched 2 “Picards” I think. Totally lame just like Discovery.
I heard there is new cartoon called “Lower Decks”.
Blu is definitely a girl or else my wang has failed me.
“Yeah, but they made her lezbo on Picard.”
Hold on, are you serious? She was straight on Star Trek Voyager for God’s sake.
Right where they belong...on a SciFi.
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