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Patrick Stewart became a global star when he played the role of Captain Jean-Luc Picard inStar Trek: The Next Generation. The spinoff show seemed to surpass its predecessor, the original series in terms of reach and even lasted seven seasons. However, Stewart’s show might have fallen behind in one aspect compared to its successors.
Actor Blu del Barrio’s character, Adira Tal inStar Trek Discovery, became the first non-binary character in the franchise. The show also portrayed the franchise’s first relationship between a non-binary character and a trans character. Del Barrio mentioned thatDiscoverywas the most diverse version ofStar Trekyet.
What Did Blu del Barrio’s Inclusion InStar Trek DiscoveryMean For The Franchise?
Gene Roddenberry’sStar Trekfranchise has always been about a hopeful and inclusive view of the future. Standing apart from most dystopian visions for the future, Roddenberry instead focused on a professional and more optimal version of humanity, who were more inclusive and diverse in their workplaces.
Patrick Stewart’s Favorite Star Trek: The Next Generation Episode is the One Starring His Son: “That was an extraordinary experience”
While the original series featured many cultural milestones, including TV’s first majorly broadcast interracial kiss between Uhura and Captain James T. Kirk, Patrick Stewart’sThe Next Generationseemed to have fewer such milestone events. However, subsequent shows in the franchise did more in terms of diversity and inclusion.
Star Trek: Discoverydid not just have Captain Michael Burnham, the first Black woman Captain in the franchise, but also had actor Blu del Barrio play the series’ first non-binary character, Adira Tal. Tal also had a romance in the series with a trans character named Gray. In an interview (viaWith Ashley and Co), del Barrio said,
I’ve always been a really big champion of having as much diversity on screen as we do in our world. Going into this era of trek, where we have the most diverse show that we’ve ever had… I was extremely excited. Also nervous to be part of that representation. Very nervous. But ultimately, it was it was a really huge honor.
Del Barrio, who reportedly also came out to their family a few weeks before the scene where Adira Tal comes out to Paul Stamets, mentioned that such sequences being on TV make a lot of difference for the younger generation who are struggling with their gender identities.
Patrick Stewart Appreciated The Growing LGBTQIA+ Representation InStar Trek
ThoughPatrick Stewart’sStar Trek: The Next Generationconsisted of a more diverse cast and crew for the USS Enterprise, the series received some criticism for its lack of LGBTQIA+ characters. The concept was rarely addressed in the series and only one episode i.e.The Outcastseemed to have explored the theme. However, things changed.
“It was all gone by 19”: Even Male Pattern Baldness Couldn’t Stop Patrick Stewart From Using a Cheeky Trick to Bag Auditions
InStar Trek: Picard, Stewart acknowledged the importance of having a character like Jeri Tyan’s Seven of Nine, who implied to be flexible in her sexuality. He said toForbes,
I will encourage it as much as I possibly can because it is in what is a very troubled world. Currently, there are elements and this being one of them, where you see we are at long last beginning to grow up and become real adults who have an open view of the world and of life.
Discoveryalso prided itself on introducing the first openly gay characters within theStar TrekTV shows with Paul Stemets and Hugh Culber, whose actors are also reportedly openly gay. The franchise has since featured many characters and actors who are part of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Star Trek: Discoveryis currently available to stream on Paramount+.
Nishanth A
Senior Writer
Articles Published :2417
Nishanth A is a Senior Entertainment Writer at FandomWire, majorly focusing on TV shows with over 2,000 articles published. He has been an entertainment journalist for the past two years and a scriptwriter at various corporations before that, working on educational content. With a Communications, English Literature, and Psychology triple major, Nishanth usually covers news and analyses on Star Trek, particularly Strange New Worlds and The Next Generation; Doctor Who, the DCU, and more.A Nolan fan, Nishanth spends his time exploring the filmographies of various directors with an auteurial style or can be found making short movies of his own. He has also contributed as a feature writer for Film Companion, focusing on the South division.
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