Star Trek: Discovery's LGBT character is key to s1 plot

From Digital Spy

Star Trek: Discovery's first ever out gay crew member will be central to the first season's main storyline.

The CBS All Access and Netflix series breaks new ground for the 51-year-old franchise with its casting of Anthony Rapp as Lieutenant Stamets, whose relationship with another man (Wilson Cruz) will be explored in the series.

In the latest issue of Entertainment Weekly, producers stressed that Discovery's science officer Rapp will be a well-rounded character whose research proves key in the cold war between the Federation and the Klingons.

"We're at a point in time where people aren't defined by their sexuality," Aaron Harberts explained to the magazine. "What's fascinating about the character is that when we meet him we don't know who or what he is.

"He's so super specific, he's persnickety and difficult and brilliant, and he isn't going to give an inch and he has very strong feelings about why he's on the Discovery. We wanted to roll out that character's sexuality the way people would roll out their sexuality in life."

Star Trek: Discovery will delve into Stamets's softer side through his relationship with the ship's chief medical officer Hugh Culber (Cruz).

"I'm really excited and happy when a gay character is a part of a story - especially when a gay character is created in a complex and human and non-stereotypical, interesting way, and that has certainly been the case with Stamets," Rapp said.

"And you get to see his relationship. There was a little glimpse in Sulu in [Star Trek Beyond], and it was a nice nod. But in this case, we actually get to see me with my partner in conversation, in our living quarters, you get to see our relationship over time, treated as any other relationship would be treated."

In addition to representing an LGBTQ relationship in Star Trek for the first time, Discovery will also break long-standing tradition by including inter-crew conflicts and more grisly deaths.

In the US, CBS will air the first Star Trek: Discovery episode on Sunday, September 24 before new episodes premiere on streaming platform CBS All Access. Netflix carries the show in the UK.

Watch a trailer below:

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