“She is authentic in a way that many actors… aren’t”: The Next Generation Legend Jonathan Frakes Defends Star Trek: Discovery Actor Who Received Inhuman Amounts of Racist Backlash

The popular sci-fi TV series Star Trek: Discovery is coming to an end after a seven-year journey within the franchise. The show, which introduced Sonequa Martin-Green’s Michael Burnham as the first black woman to be the lead in the franchise, faced criticism from haters who have directed racist remarks towards its lead star.

The actress has been the target of these hateful comments throughout her tenure on the show. As it comes to an end, Jonathan Frakes, a Star Trek veteran known for his role in The Next Generation, has come out to defend the actress, while praising her talent and authenticity, qualities that he believes are often lacking in many actors.

Star Trek’s Jonathan Frakes Praised Sonequa Martin-Green

In a recent conversation with CinemaBlend, Jonathan Frakes reflected on working on Star Trek: Discovery with Sonequa Martin-Green. The Star Trek legend has directed multiple episodes of the show, including Episode 9 of the final season, titled Lagrange Point.

Talking about the star of the show, he praised her remarkable presence on the set, and how she positively impacts everyone involved in the production. He also highlighted how her authenticity sets her apart from other actors who may not possess the same level of realism.

“She comes prepared,” he said before adding, “Not only does she have her talent and her humor, but she has a spiritual presence that permeates the set.” The actor-director further told CinemaBlend,

Her kindness is authentic, and it is shared with both sides of the camera up and down the line. And I think if you talk to anybody in the company, you’ll find the same thing is true about her. She is authentic in a way that many actors, as you probably know, aren’t.

The Next Generation star also shared that with the series coming to an end with Season 5, he would miss working with Martin-Green as Michael Burnham. While no such plans have been revealed, there is potential for her character to return in future installments of the franchise.

!!The following contains spoilers for Star Trek: Discovery Series Finale!!

Star Trek: Discovery Concludes with a Powerful and Emotional Series Finale

The final episode of Star Trek: Discovery follows Captain Burnham embarking on a last heart-wrenching mission with her crew as it comes to an end with an emotional and action-packed finale.

Captain Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green) decides to send the powerful Progenitors’ technology beyond a black hole’s event horizon to prevent its misuse. The intense sequences are followed by Saru and T’Rina’s wedding and Burnham’s reconciliation with Book.

Burnham and Book settle on a planet by the end of the show, where they are greeted by a shuttle that arrives to take Burnham, now a Starfleet admiral on Discovery’s final mission with her son Leto, a newly promoted captain. The series concludes with Discovery departing under Burnham’s command as it becomes a time capsule.

Season 5 saw characters evolve into Starfleet heroes, with Captain Michael Burnham exemplifying this transformation. While the series finale has been described as a satisfying conclusion, it also leaves room for potential future stories.

The finale also features complex diplomatic challenges, with a peaceful resolution with the Breen fleet, and personal milestones such as T’Rina and Saru’s wedding and Burnham’s reconciliation with Cleveland Booker.

Despite the mixed reception, the finale affirms that nothing in the Star Trek universe is truly final, leaving open the possibility for future narratives. Star Trek: Discovery has secured its place in Star Trek history with a legacy of diversity and bold storytelling.

Star Trek: Discovery is available to stream on Paramount+.