Premium Content:

'Star Trek' legacy character revealed as queer in 'Picard' spinoff

The Star Trek universe continues to boldly go where to person has gone before, with its latest series following the later years of the legendary Captain Jean-Luc Picard.

- Advertisement -

Picard stars Patrick Stewart, reprising his role as the Captain of the USS Enterprise, featuring a number of cameos from characters from across the series that dates all the way back to 1966.

Seven of Nine, a former Borg drone first introduced in Star Trek: Voyager, joins Picard in his twilight quests, and the return of original actor Jeri Ryan was a welcome addition to the cast for long-time fans.

Wrapping the first season of Picard, the finale shows Seven of Nine holding hands with her female partner, prompting questions from fans on social media.

Ryan seemed to confirm Seven’s LGBTIQ+ identity, responding to viewers with a simple message on Twitter.

Star Trek has long been celebrated for its inclusivity on screens, with Nichelle Nichols making history on the original series as the first African American woman to play a lead role on television – though LGBTIQ+ representation was missing from the sci-fi series’ progressive universe for many years.

2017’s Star Trek: Discovery broke the mold, with gay actors Anthony Rapp and Wilson Cruz starring as the coupled Paul Stamets and Hugh Culber in the prequel series.

Picard showrunner Michael Chabon had foreshadowed LGBTIQ+ representation ahead of the spinoff series debut, in an interview with LGBTIQ+ publication Queerty.

“…with Seven of Nine, having to catch up after such a long absence from the human race. If you think about that, it almost seems unnatural that she wouldn’t have had partners of other genders,” Chabon said.

“It seems clear that she would have.”

Picard is airing now on Amazon Prime Video.


Love OUTinPerth Campaign

Help support the publication of OUTinPerth by contributing to our
GoFundMe campaign.

Latest

OPINION | Calling allies to step up and be seen this Trans Day of Visibility

Rebecca Bennett (she/her) is the Pro Vice Chancellor Equity Diversity and Inclusion at Murdoch University.

Trans Day of Visibility rally sees calls for action on healthcare and housing

Hundreds turned up to a rally in Northbridge on Sunday.

‘The Thorn Birds’ actor Richard Chamberlain dead at 90

Chamberlain kept his sexuality private before coming out in his 70s.

Utah bans Pride flags from schools and public buildings

The adoption of the new law follows similar legislation passed in Idaho.

Newsletter

Don't miss

OPINION | Calling allies to step up and be seen this Trans Day of Visibility

Rebecca Bennett (she/her) is the Pro Vice Chancellor Equity Diversity and Inclusion at Murdoch University.

Trans Day of Visibility rally sees calls for action on healthcare and housing

Hundreds turned up to a rally in Northbridge on Sunday.

‘The Thorn Birds’ actor Richard Chamberlain dead at 90

Chamberlain kept his sexuality private before coming out in his 70s.

Utah bans Pride flags from schools and public buildings

The adoption of the new law follows similar legislation passed in Idaho.

Fresh Tracks | The latest tunes worth checking out

New music from Self Esteem, Bananarama, Grant Knoche, Perfume Genius and Jesse Mac Cormack.

OPINION | Calling allies to step up and be seen this Trans Day of Visibility

Rebecca Bennett (she/her) is the Pro Vice Chancellor Equity Diversity and Inclusion at Murdoch University.

Trans Day of Visibility rally sees calls for action on healthcare and housing

Hundreds turned up to a rally in Northbridge on Sunday.

‘The Thorn Birds’ actor Richard Chamberlain dead at 90

Chamberlain kept his sexuality private before coming out in his 70s.