While it hasn’t all been smooth sailing on the good ship Star Trek Discovery, what with production being delayed until May 2017 and Bryan Fuller departing as showrunner, it isn’t all doom and gloom on CBS’s return to the Star Trek franchise, as two additional cast members have been confirmed courtesy of Entertainment Weekly.
First up is Doug Jones. Best know when you can’t see his face in Guillermo del Toro productions as the Faun and Pale Man in Pan’s Labyrinth and Abe Sapien in the Hellboy films, he will be playing Lieutenant Saru, who is described as a completely new alien species. A brilliant character performer, we’re used to see him pop up in recurring roles that it’s nice to see him get a regular one, especially in something so prominent.
Also on board is Anthony Rapp, who will play Lieutenant Stamets, an “astromycologist,” fungus expert, and Starfleet Science Officer, who possesses the distinction of being Star Trek’s first gay character. Another solid character actor, you’ve probably seen him in the likes of Rent, A Beautiful Mind and Dazed And Confused, and we’re delighted that he’s on board.
Finally, there is also a bit of news on who Michelle Yeoh is playing: Captain Georgiou, the Starfleet Captain on board a different ship, the Starship Shenzhou. We guess this means that she will not be the main character, but with Yeoh, Jones and Rapp all confirmed to be in the mix, it’s a solid start. Hopefully the rest of the casting additions will match up to them.
Gretchen J Berg and Aaron Harberts are serving as showrunners, in addition to executive producing alongside Alex Kurtzman, Bryan Fuller, Heather Kadin, Rod Roddenberry, Trevor Roth and David Semel.
Star Trek Discovery will air on CBS in May 2017, and on Netflix shortly after. For all the latest TV news, pick up the new issue of SciFiNow.
