PICARD Starts Getting A Crew

The new entry into the Star Trek franchise, currently known only as the “untitled Star Trek series”, now has casting news to go along with the other details that have become public.

In addition to Sir Patrick Stewart reprising his role as Jean-Luc Picard, we now have two of the new ensemble in Michelle Hurd and Santiago Cabrera.

   

Hurd’s recent credits include Blindspot, Lethal Weapon, Ash vs. Evil Dead, and Daredevil. Cabrera has appeared in Big Little Lies, The Musketeers, Merlin, and Heroes.

Neither performer has been attached to a particular character in the press release from CBS All Access. That Hashtag Show posted a character breakdown list, and they note that the ensemble could change.

Starton – a male specialist in positronic brains, terrified of space. Charming, self-deprecating in his humor, he’s excited about the research opportunities that come with Picard’s mission (more on that shortly).

Connie is a quick-tempered African-American mercenary pilot who’s also quick to forgive. She’s dealing with the death of her husband and trying to avoid a death sentence on her home planet. She uses her ship to “transport people to and from an artifact of some kind”.

Does this artifact come into play for Picard’s mission?

Next up is Lawrence, a man in his 30s with a dodgy moral compass. He’s a capable thief and the pilot of the ship for Picard’s mission, but he’s questionable in his loyalties

The holographic Dr. Smith has been programmed to learn but not become too self-aware. He’s described as being “calm, efficient, and empathic, but he sometimes has difficulties sorting out others’ emotional reactions to get at the facts”.

The youngest character is the Romulan K’Bar, a 17-year-old child of a mainly female spiritual order, martial artist, and prone to mood swings. He’s devoted to Picard and takes the mission very seriously.

Indira is an extremely smart and physically agile woman in her early 20s, and a bit immature and socially challenged. Still “finding her way in the wider world”, she sometimes stumbles over her own intelligence. She’s cut off from home and on a “difficult mission” — which is specified as hers, so could this mission be different than Picard’s?

Finally, there’s Alana, a brilliant analyst with a great memory despite a history of drug and alcohol abuse. She often gets irritated with her own vulnerability. She sees conspiracies everywhere, being a former intelligence officer. And she’s very certain of herself, even when she’s wrong.

Hurd may likely be playing Connie, although that’s not confirmed. And Cabrera could be playing any one of the male roles. Could he be playing Starton? Or would his look match the thief/pilot mode more? Speculate as much as you want. We’ll wait until we get official word.

The new series will be ten episodes, with the first two directed by Hanelle Culpepper (Star Trek: Discovery, Counterpart, The Flash). “Hanelle is a gifted and dynamic filmmaker whose directorial choices are always deeply rooted in character,” said Alex Kurtzman, Star Trek: Discovery’s co-creator, executive producer and showrunner. “I’ve been a fan of her work since she started with us on Discovery, and she’s the perfect person to re-introduce the beloved character of Picard to longtime fans and new viewers alike. We’re thrilled she’s joining our Trek family on this next adventure.”

The series will air on CBS All Access in the United States and will be distributed worldwide through CBS Studios International. The story takes place in the Prime Timeline after the destruction of Romulus, and Picard is dealing with the fallout of that event and its impact on his career. With the mention of an artifact and a mission, there’s speculation that Picard’s interest in archaeology might come into play.

The new series will be produced by CBS Television Studios in association with Secret Hideout and Roddenberry Entertainment. Alex Kurtzman, James Duff, Akiva Goldsman, Patrick Stewart, Michael Chabon, Heather Kadin, Rod Roddenberry and Trevor Roth will serve as executive producers and Aaron Baiers (Secret Hideout) will serve as co-executive producer.