List of Star Trek : Discovery characters - wikipedia List of Star Trek : Discovery characters Star Trek : Discovery is an American television series created for CBS All Access by Bryan Fuller and Alex Kurtzman. Set roughly a decade before the events of the original Star Trek series and separate from the timeline of the concurrent feature films, Discovery explores the Federation -- Klingon cold war while following the crew of the USS Discovery. It premiered on September 25, 2017. The series stars Sonequa Martin - Green as Michael Burnham, a Starfleet mutineer who is given a war - time field assignment as a science specialist on the USS Discovery and the adopted sister of original series character Spock. Doug Jones, Shazad Latif, Anthony Rapp, Mary Wiseman, and Jason Isaacs also star in the series. Characters seen previously in Star Trek also appear in Discovery, including Spock 's father Sarek, portrayed here by James Frain, and Harry Mudd, with Rainn Wilson recurring through the first season as that character. The following list includes Star Trek : Discovery 's main cast, as well as all guest stars deemed to have had recurring roles throughout the series, and a supplementary list of other noteworthy guests. Contents 1 Main characters 1.1 Michael Burnham 1.2 Saru 1.3 Ash Tyler 1.4 Paul Stamets 1.5 Sylvia Tilly 1.6 Gabriel Lorca 2 Guest characters 2.1 Introduced in previous series 2.2 Introduced in Discovery 3 References Main characters Michael Burnham Sonequa Martin - Green Main article : Michael Burnham Michael Burnham ( portrayed by Sonequa Martin - Green ) is a Science Specialist on USS Discovery. Burnham was First Officer of the USS Shenzhou, where she was referred to as `` Number One '', until convicted of mutiny and sentenced to life in prison. Discovery Captain Gabriel Lorca brings Burnham back to duty with a temporary war - time assignment as a scientist on his crew. Burnham was raised following Vulcan culture and traditions by Sarek, and is the first human to attend the Vulcan Learning Center and Vulcan Science Academy. Series co-creator Bryan Fuller had anticipated casting announcements for the show in October 2016, but no announcements had been made by the end of that month. The majority of the series main characters were believed to have been cast by then, but no actress had been cast for the series ' lead role. This was a source of `` some internal stress '' at CBS, with the casting of the character deemed `` a far tougher assignment '' than expected. Several African American and Latina actresses were being looked at for the role, with CBS `` not seeking a huge star and ( preferring ) a fresh face for the part. '' Martin - Green was cast in the role in December, which was revealed with the character 's production codename `` lieutenant commander Rainsford ''. Her casting was officially confirmed in April 2017, following the end of her run on The Walking Dead, with the character 's actual name also revealed. The character has an inner conflict due to being raised by Sarek, with showrunner Aaron Harberts explaining that many of the actresses tested for the role `` either went way too robotic and chilly or way too emotional '', but Martin - Green was `` able to be aloof but warm ; logical but able to surrender her emotional side to the audience. '' Since Sarek 's son Spock never mentioned a sister in the original series, executive producer Alex Kurtzman said that the specifics of Burnham 's backstory would be revealed in a way that would not break the existing canon continuity. As the show 's protagonist, Burnham was not made a starship captain, like those of previous Star Trek series, `` to see a character from a different perspective on the starship -- one who has different dynamic relationships with a captain, with subordinates, it gave us richer context ''. She is referred to as Number One to honor the character of the same name portrayed by Majel Barrett in the original Star Trek pilot `` The Cage '', and was initially pitched to CBS as only being called Number One in the series. Fuller deliberately gave the character a traditionally male name as he did with the female leads of his previous series. Martin - Green decided that the character was named after her father. Saru Doug Jones Saru ( portrayed by Doug Jones ) is a Lieutenant Commander serving as First Officer of the USS Discovery, and the first Kelpien to enter Starfleet. Jones was revealed to have been cast as Saru in November 2016. Kelpiens, a new species created for Discovery, were hunted as prey on their home planet and thus evolved the ability to sense the coming of death. They have a reputation for cowardice in the Federation. Jones was excited to, `` from the ground up, develop and find this character and his species '' and not have to honor a previous fan - favorite representation. He based Saru 's walk on that of a supermodel, out of necessity thanks to the boots he had to wear to portray the character 's hooved feet forcing Jones to walk on the balls of his feet. The producers compared Saru to the characters Spock and Data from previous series. Saru was introduced in the series premiere as a senior bridge officer on the USS Shenzhou, which received massive damage in the series ' second episode. Before the events of `` Context is for Kings '', Saru joins the crew of the USS Discovery. Ash Tyler Shazad Latif Ash Tyler ( portrayed by Shazad Latif ) is a Starfleet lieutenant and former prisoner of war. Latif was originally cast in the role of the Klingon Kol in December 2016, before being recast as Tyler at the end of April 2017. Latif noted that Tyler 's PTSD would be explored in the show as he attempts to return to his Starfleet life, calling Tyler `` a very complex and painful and deep character. '' The character explores these issues with different characters, including Lorca due to their shared military background, and Burnham with whom `` there 's a chemistry, a relationship ''. Paul Stamets Anthony Rapp Paul Stamets ( portrayed by Anthony Rapp ) is a Science Officer specializing in astromycology ( the study of fungi in space ). Rapp was revealed to have been cast as Stamets in November 2016. He was originally cast in a different, smaller role, but when discussing gay actors who could portray the character Stamets, the executive producers realized that Rapp was the actor they wanted to fill that role instead. He did not audition for either role. He is the first openly gay character in a Star Trek series, and the showrunners `` wanted to roll out that character 's sexuality the way people would roll out their sexuality in life ''. Rapp noted that Hikaru Sulu was portrayed as gay in the film Star Trek Beyond, calling that `` 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 ''. Stamets is inspired by a real - life mycologist of the same name, whom Fuller had introduced to the series ' writers early on after becoming interested in his research into spores. The character 's outlook that physics and biology are quantifiably the same thing also comes from the real Stamets ' research and theories. Sylvia Tilly Mary Wiseman Sylvia Tilly ( portrayed by Mary Wiseman ) is a cadet in her final year at Starfleet Academy, assigned to the Discovery. She works under Stamets aboard the Discovery, and becomes roommates there with Burnham. Wiseman was cast in March 2017. Tilly was included to represent people `` at the very bottom of this ladder '' of the Starfleet hierarchy. She is `` the most optimistic... has the biggest heart '', and Harberts described her as `` sort of the soul of our show ''. The character was named after showrunner Gretchen J. Berg 's two - year - old niece. Gabriel Lorca Jason Isaacs Gabriel Lorca ( portrayed by Jason Isaacs ) is Captain of the Discovery, a `` brilliant military tactician ''. Isaacs joined the series in March 2017, describing Lorca as `` probably more f-d up than any of '' the previously seen Star Trek captains, and comparing the character to his portrayal of Mike Steele in the film Black Hawk Down. Isaacs was initially given the first two scripts for the series, which Lorca does not appear in, and an early draft of his introduction in the third that was going to be re-written, but agreed to join the series after discussing the series and character with the executive producers. He plays the character with a slight southern U.S. accent, wanting to avoid using his own English accent and being `` a very pale shadow of the brilliant Patrick Stewart ( Picard on The Next Generation ) '', and `` he 's a military man, but he can be immensely charming. I 've been privileged enough to work with the ( U.S. Army ) Rangers at Fort Benning, and no matter where you come from in America, if you train down South where most of the bases are, you pick up some form of a Southern accent. And I wanted something that had subliminal hints at the military. '' Isaacs initially wanted to ad - lib a catchphrase for the character feeling that all Star Trek captains should have one, coming up with `` git'r done '' which the writers turned down due to it being widely used and copyrighted by Larry the Cable Guy. Comparing his character to Captain Georgiou, Isaacs said, `` Georgiou is a mother figure, and I am unsentimental and do n't see my job as protecting ( Burnham ) emotionally or any other way. I see her as a very, very useful asset in this war. '' In addition to having a standard Captain 's ready - room, Lorca also has a room referred to as his `` menagerie '' where he keeps things that he collects. This includes the skeleton of a Gorn, a species that is apparently first discovered later in the original series, with Harberts feeling that the presence of this skeleton added to the mystery of the character -- how did he come about it, and how does the rest of Starfleet not know of the species if he does ? Guest characters Introduced in previous series Sarek ( portrayed by James Frain ) : A Vulcan ambassador and astrophysicist, the father of Spock, and the surrogate father of Michael Burnham. Frain appears as a younger version of the character who was first portrayed by Mark Lenard in the original Star Trek series. Amanda Grayson ( portrayed by Mia Kirshner ) : The human wife of Sarek. She also appeared in the original series, portrayed by Jane Wyatt. Harry Mudd ( portrayed by Rainn Wilson ) is a charismatic con - man. In March 2017, Wilson was cast as a younger version of the character played by Roger C. Carmel in the original Star Trek series, to guest star in nine episodes of the season. He described his version as `` a reimagining, a reinvention in the same way so many things have been reimagined and reinvented. He 's a bit more dastardly than the original. But that character made such an impression on me, and it is a dream come true to try to bring him to life with as much drama and comedy as possible. '' Wilson `` stole a lot of things that I loved from ( Carmel 's ) performance, and then added a lot more of my own. '' Introduced in Discovery Philippa Georgiou ( portrayed by Michelle Yeoh ) : Captain of the Shenzhou. L'Rell ( portrayed by Mary Chieffo ) : Battle Deck Commander of the Klingon ship. L'Rell is a member of both the house of T'Kuvma and the house of Mo'Kai T'Kuvma ( portrayed by Chris Obi ) : The leader of an ancient Klingon house who is looking to unite all of the Klingon houses. Brett Anderson ( portrayed by Terry Serpico ) : A Starfleet admiral. Danby Connor ( portrayed by Sam Vartholomeos ) : A junior officer in Starfleet Academy, assigned to the Shenzhou. Kol ( portrayed by Kenneth Mitchell ) : Commanding Officer of the Klingons, and opponent of T'Kuvma's goals. Ellen Landry ( portrayed by Rekha Sharma ) : Security Officer for the Discovery. Hugh Culber ( portrayed by Wilson Cruz ) : Medical Officer of the Discovery. Culber is Stamets ' love interest and partner. Katrina Cornwell ( portrayed by Jayne Brook ) : A Starfleet admiral and Lorca 's direct superior. Keyla Detmer ( portrayed by Emily Coutts ) : Conn officer, red - haired Lieutenant with a cranial / ocular implant to replace function lost when injured in a bridge explosion while serving on the U.S.S. Shenzhou during the Battle at the Binary Stars against the Klingons. Lieutenant Commander Airiam ( portrayed by Sara Mitich ) : Science officer ( Spore drive operator ) who is an ' augmented human ' with artificial skin. Voq ( portrayed by Javid Iqbal ) : An albino Klingon, described as being `` touched by fate and fire ''. Damon Runyan and Clare McConnell portray Ujilli and Dennas, leaders in the Klingon Empire, respectively. References ^ Jump up to : StarTrek.com Staff ( April 3, 2017 ). `` Sonequa Martin - Green Beams Aboard Discovery ''. StarTrek.com. Archived from the original on April 3, 2017. Retrieved April 3, 2017. ^ Jump up to : hercules ( August 28, 2016 ). `` EXCLUSIVE ! ! More STAR TREK DISCOVERY Scoop ! ! Lead Will Be Called ' Number One ' ! ! Nick Meyer Scripts Hour Two ! ! Bryan Fuller Hires Co-Showrunners ! ! More ! ! ''. Ai n't It Cool News. United States : Blogger. Archived from the original on August 30, 2016. Retrieved August 30, 2016. ^ Jump up to : Hibberd, James ( June 20, 2017 ). `` Star Trek : Discovery star Sonequa Martin - Green breaks her silence ''. Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on June 21, 2017. Retrieved June 21, 2017. ^ Jump up to : Roots, Kimberly ( July 22, 2017 ). `` Star Trek : Discovery @ Comic - Con : New Footage and Sarek Secret Revealed, Stamets ' Love Interest Cast and More ''. TVLine. Archived from the original on July 23, 2017. Retrieved July 23, 2017. Jump up ^ Birnbaum, Debra ; Ryan, Maureen ; Littleton, Cynthia ( October 26, 2016 ). `` Bryan Fuller Stepping Back From Showrunner Role on ' Star Trek : Discovery ' ( EXCLUSIVE ) ''. Variety. United States : Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on October 27, 2016. Retrieved October 27, 2016. Jump up ^ Wagmeister, Elizabeth ; Holloway, Daniel ( November 23, 2016 ). `` ' Star Trek : Discovery ' Finds First Cast Member in Michelle Yeoh ''. Variety. United States : Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on November 24, 2016. Retrieved November 24, 2016. Jump up ^ Andreeva, Nellie ( December 14, 2016 ). `` ' Star Trek Discovery ' : Sonequa Martin - Green Cast As The Lead ''. Deadline.com. United States : Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on December 15, 2016. Retrieved December 15, 2016. Jump up ^ Hibberd, James ( April 3, 2017 ). `` Star Trek : Discovery : Sonequa Martin - Green 's character revealed at last ''. Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on May 18, 2017. Retrieved May 18, 2017. ^ Jump up to : Hibberd, James ( August 10, 2016 ). `` Star Trek : Major details revealed about new TV show ''. Entertainment Weekly. United States : Time Inc. Archived from the original on August 11, 2016. Retrieved August 11, 2016. Star Trek : Discovery will be set in the ' Prime Universe ' ( so in the timeline of the original shows, not the J.J. Abrams reboot films ), about a decade before Captain Kirk 's five - year mission. Jump up ^ Topel, Fred ( August 2, 2017 ). `` Bryan Fuller Named the ' Star Trek : Discovery ' Lead and Redesigned the Klingons ( TCA 2017 ) ''. / Film. Archived from the original on August 5, 2017. Retrieved August 5, 2017. ^ Jump up to : Hibberd, James ( November 29, 2016 ). `` Star Trek : Discovery casts 3 actors, adds gay character ''. Entertainment Weekly. United States : Time Inc. Archived from the original on November 29, 2016. Retrieved November 30, 2016. ^ Jump up to : Hibberd, James ( July 19, 2017 ). `` Star Trek : Discovery : Doug Jones breaks silence on show 's new alien ''. Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on July 20, 2017. Retrieved July 20, 2017. Jump up ^ Star Trek : Discovery -- Doug Jones on Playing the Franchise 's Brand New Alien, Lt. Saru. IGN. January 6, 2017. Retrieved January 8, 2017. Jump up ^ Carrina ( September 2, 2017 ). `` Fan Expo 2017 : The Star Trek : Discovery Cast Talk Phasers, Klingons, And Kelpien Struts ''. Space. Archived from the original on September 7, 2017. Retrieved September 7, 2017. Jump up ^ Collura, Scott ( 2017 - 10 - 01 ). `` Star Trek : Discovery - `` Context Is for Kings '' Review ``. IGN. Retrieved 2017 - 10 - 02. ^ Jump up to : Kayla, Iacovino ( July 24, 2017 ). `` SDCC Interview : Shazad Latif On Playing A POW In Pain On ' Star Trek : Discovery ' ''. TrekMovie.com. Archived from the original on July 25, 2017. Retrieved July 25, 2017. Jump up ^ Andreeva, Nellie ( December 12, 2016 ). `` ' Star Trek Discovery ' : Shazad Latif Cast As Klingon Commanding Officer Kol ''. Deadline.com. United States : Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on December 12, 2016. Retrieved December 13, 2016. ^ Jump up to : Schwartz, Ryan ( April 28, 2017 ). `` Star Trek : Discovery Recasts Klingon Amid Flurry of New Additions ''. TVLine. Archived from the original on April 29, 2017. Retrieved April 30, 2017. ^ Jump up to : `` Rainn Wilson Talks `` Deadly '' Harry Mudd In ' Star Trek : Discovery ' ``. TrekMovie.com. August 31, 2017. Archived from the original on September 7, 2017. Retrieved September 7, 2017. Jump up ^ Anderton, Ethan ( July 21, 2017 ). `` ' Star Trek : Discovery ' Exhibit Reveals Starfleet, Klingon and Vulcan Props, Costumes & Ships ( Comic - Con 2017 ) ''. / Film. Archived from the original on July 22, 2017. Retrieved July 22, 2017. ^ Jump up to : Carollo, Lilly ( September 22, 2017 ). `` Star Trek : Discovery 's showrunners on what to expect from the first Trek TV series in 16 years ''. Vox. Archived from the original on September 24, 2017. Retrieved September 24, 2017. Jump up ^ Hibberd, James ( July 27, 2017 ). `` First openly gay Star Trek TV character revealed ''. Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on July 29, 2017. Retrieved July 29, 2017. Jump up ^ Kayla, Iacovino ( July 24, 2017 ). `` SDCC Interview : Anthony Rapp On His Wild Space Mushroom Journey In ' Star Trek : Discovery ' ''. TrekMovie.com. Archived from the original on July 25, 2017. Retrieved July 25, 2017. ^ Jump up to : `` Episode 2 ''. After Trek. Season 1. Episode 2. October 1, 2017. CBS All Access. ^ Jump up to : `` Jason Isaacs And Mary Wiseman Cast In Star Trek : Discovery ''. CBS.com. March 7, 2017. Archived from the original on March 8, 2017. Retrieved March 8, 2017. ^ Jump up to : Kayla, Iacovino ( July 23, 2017 ). `` SDCC17 Interview : Mary Wiseman Reveals Connection Between Cadet Tilly And Michael Burnham on ' Star Trek : Discovery ' ''. TrekMovie.com. Archived from the original on July 25, 2017. Retrieved July 25, 2017. ^ Jump up to : Hibberd, James ( March 7, 2017 ). `` Star Trek : Discovery casts Jason Isaacs as captain ''. Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on March 8, 2017. Retrieved March 8, 2017. Jump up ^ Hibberd, James ( June 21, 2017 ). `` Star Trek : Discovery first look at Jason Isaacs as Captain Lorca ''. Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on June 22, 2017. Retrieved June 22, 2017. Jump up ^ Mitovich, Matt Webb ( October 2, 2017 ). `` Star Trek : Discovery 's Jason Isaacs Says Not to Dismiss Lorca 's ' Doomed ' Plan : ' The Writers ' Room Is Full of Diehards ' ''. TVLine. Archived from the original on October 3, 2017. Retrieved October 3, 2017. ^ Jump up to : Hibberd, James ( August 3, 2017 ). `` Jason Isaacs discovered his Star Trek catchphrase was a problem ''. Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on August 5, 2017. Retrieved August 5, 2017. ^ Jump up to : Holloway, Daniel ( October 2, 2017 ). `` ' Star Trek : Discovery ' : Jason Isaacs on His Character 's Origins and What He Wants From Burnham ''. Variety. Archived from the original on October 3, 2017. Retrieved October 3, 2017. ^ Jump up to : Hibberd, James ( January 18, 2017 ). `` Star Trek : Discovery casts Spock 's father, pushes premiere date ''. Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on January 19, 2017. Retrieved January 19, 2017. Jump up ^ Star Trek : Discovery ( @ @ startrekcbs ) ( January 19, 2017 ). `` BREAKING NEWS : @ britjfrain will star as the Vulcan character Sarek, father of Spock ! 🖖 # StarTrekDiscovery '' ( Tweet ). Archived from the original on January 29, 2017. Retrieved January 29, 2017 -- via Twitter. Jump up ^ Pascale, Anthony ( September 30, 2017 ). `` EXCLUSIVE : ' Star Trek : Discovery ' Executive Producers Reveal Who Is Playing Amanda And Talk Season 2 ''. TrekMovie.com. Archived from the original on September 30, 2017. Retrieved October 1, 2017. Jump up ^ Otterson, Joe ( March 31, 2017 ). `` ' Star Trek : Discovery ' Casts Rainn Wilson as Original Series Character Harry Mudd ''. Variety. Archived from the original on March 31, 2017. Retrieved April 1, 2017. Jump up ^ StarTrek.com Staff ( July 17, 2017 ). `` Discovery Beams Into Comic - Con ''. StarTrek.com. Archived from the original on July 17, 2017. Retrieved July 19, 2017. Jump up ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony ( September 24, 2017 ). `` ' Star Trek Discovery ' EPs Alex Kurtzman & Akiva Goldsman On `` Burnham 's Dilemma '' & Michelle Yeoh Shocker ``. Deadline.com. Archived from the original on September 30, 2017. Retrieved September 30, 2017. Jump up ^ Pascale, Anthony ( July 23, 2017 ). `` SDCC17 : ' Star Trek : Discovery ' Team Talk War, Roddenberry, Space Mushrooms, And A Reimagined Mudd ''. TrekMovie.com. Archived from the original on July 25, 2017. Retrieved July 25, 2017. Jump up ^ Lincoln, Ross A. ; Patten, Dominic ( November 23, 2016 ). `` ' Star Trek : Discovery ' Casts Michelle Yeoh In Captain Role ''. Deadline.com. United States : Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on November 24, 2016. Retrieved November 24, 2016. Jump up ^ Hibberd, James ( May 17, 2017 ). `` Star Trek : Discovery reveals first photo of two cast members ''. Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on May 18, 2017. Retrieved May 18, 2017. ^ Jump up to : Petski, Denise ( December 12, 2016 ). `` ' Star Trek : Discovery ' : Chris Obi & Mary Chieffo Join Shazad Latif As Klingons ''. Deadline.com. United States : Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on December 12, 2016. Retrieved December 13, 2016. Jump up ^ Pascale, Anthony ( August 2, 2017 ). `` STLV17 : Actors Discuss Different Klingon Houses In ' Star Trek : Discovery ' + First Image of Kol Revealed ''. TrekMovie.com. Archived from the original on August 5, 2017. Retrieved August 5, 2017. Jump up ^ Hibberd, James ( July 17, 2017 ). `` Star Trek : Discovery producer explains why the Klingons changed ''. Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on July 18, 2017. Retrieved July 18, 2017. ^ Jump up to : Schwindt, Oriana ( February 13, 2017 ). `` ' Star Trek : Discovery ' Adds Three More Starfleet Members ''. Variety. Archived from the original on February 14, 2017. Retrieved February 14, 2017. Jump up ^ Iacovino, Kayla ( August 2, 2017 ). `` STLV17 Interview : Sam Vartholomeos and Wilson Cruz Give New Character Details, Talk Relationships on ' Discovery ' ''. TrekMovie.com. Archived from the original on August 5, 2017. Retrieved August 5, 2017. Jump up ^ Ng, Philiana ( July 22, 2017 ). `` Comic - Con : ' Star Trek : Discovery ' Goes All in With Gay Storyline -- and There 's a ' Rent ' Connection ! ''. Entertainment Tonight. Archived from the original on July 23, 2017. Retrieved July 23, 2017. Jump up ^ Lovett, Jamie ( August 5, 2017 ). `` Star Trek : Discovery Character Posters Reveal New Character ''. ComicBook.com. Archived from the original on August 10, 2017. Retrieved August 10, 2017. Jump up ^ `` O Discovery, Where Art Thou ? ''. After Trek. Season 1. Episode 1. September 24, 2017. CBS All Access. Star Trek : Discovery Characters Michael Burnham Episodes Season 1 `` The Vulcan Hello '' `` Battle at the Binary Stars '' `` Context Is for Kings '' Other After Trek Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_Star_Trek:_Discovery_characters&oldid=814962078 '' Categories : Star Trek : Discovery characters Lists of Star Trek characters Hidden categories : All articles with unsourced statements Articles with unsourced statements from November 2017 Talk Contents About Wikipedia Italiano Edit links This page was last edited on 11 December 2017, at 22 : 36. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution - ShareAlike License ; additional terms may apply. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Wikipedia ® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization. About Wikipedia

Question: who plays the science officer in star trek discovery
Answer: Anthony Rapp