‘Star Trek: Discovery’ Adds ‘Rent’ Star Anthony Rapp, Doug Jones to Cast
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.
Per The Hollywood Reporter, Rapp will take the role of Lt. Stamets, described as Discovery’s astromycologist, fungus expert, and Starfleet Science Officer. Meanwhile, Falling Skies star, Guillermo del Toro favorite and Silver Surfer performer Doug Jones will play Lt. Saru, another Starfleet Science Officer and a new alien species to Trek.
The pair join the confirmed casting of Michelle Yeoh as Captain Han Bo of the Shenzhou, said to “play a big role in Discovery’s first season.” Casting is still underway for the series’ lead, envisioned as a younger female role.
Shooting in Toronto, with Bryan Fuller remaining aboard to produce, the new 13-episode Star Trek: Discovery is officially said to take place 10 years before Kirk’s original Enterprise mission, as well to be “heavily serialized,” akin to a novel, more-so than episodic. The new series will also feature a non-captain female lead, with a Klingon captain and a British doctor, and explore the fallout of an event referenced, but never seen in the original series.
Wrath of Khan director Nicholas Meyer has also joined alongside Gene Roddenberry’s son Rod, fan-favorite Voyager novel alum Kirsten Beyer, franchise vet Joe Menosky and Heroes writer Aron Coleite. So reads the initial synopsis for the series, which debuts on CBS in May 2017 before moving to All-Access:
The brand-new “Star Trek” will introduce new characters seeking imaginative new worlds and new civilizations, while exploring the dramatic contemporary themes that have been a signature of the franchise since its inception in 1966.
Additional castings will emerge within the next few weeks, but what do we make of the first official Star Trek: Discovery crew?
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