Star Trek: Discovery cast and crew break down that Stacey Abrams cameo

Stacey Abrams is best known as a voting rights activist and former member of the Georgia House of Representatives. But she’s also a big Star Trek fan, as she’s made clear on several occasions, like appearing alongside actors from the franchise at a Trek-themed fundraiser a while back.

And now, she’s appeared on an actual Star Trek show, turning up on the newest episode of Discovery as the president of the United Earth. After a couple of turbulent seasons, she was the one who got to announce that Earth was rejoining the Federation, something that co-showrunner Michelle Paradise thought she would be perfect for.

“We knew rebuilding the Federation was always going to be a two-season arc,” Paradise told Deadline. “When we started Season 3, the Federation was in disarray; in episode 303 we learn that Earth was no longer in the Federation, so we knew at that point that Earth returning would symbolize the Federation coming back together again. So, coming into Season 4, we knew that would happen with Earth at the end of the season… and as we got about halfway into breaking the season, we realized we’d need someone to bring that moment to life, an Earth President to say those words – that Earth wanted to rejoin – and honestly, there’s no one better for that than Stacey.”

"We knew that she was a fan of the show and of Trek in general, and for us, there was no one better to be that President. [Co-showrunner Alex Kurtzman] and I reached out to her, and she was kind enough to get on a Zoom with us. We pitched her the very basics of that part of the season – just that Earth would rejoin (she didn’t want spoilers, so we shared just enough to give her context) – and then talked to her about who this character is and what she represents. We asked if she’d be interested and she was kind enough to say yes. It was just an amazing thing. She did such an incredible job, it was a privilege for all of us to get to work with her, and we’re so grateful she joined us for that."

I like that she didn’t want spoilers. Politicians: they’re just like us…except not really, but they do sometimes watch the same TV shows.

Sonequa Martin-Green was “floored” she got to work with Stacey Abrams

As for the cast, Sonequa Martin-Green (Captain Michael Burnham) was bowled over that she got to work with Abrams. “I’m still floored when I think about Stacey gracing us with her presence in our Season 4 finale,” Martin-Green said. “We spent so much of our time fanning out and pretending to be cool in her midst…She’s a legend in the making and a civil hero, and she was an absolute delight to work with.”

"She wowed us with her charm, humility, and generosity, and she whipped out some acting chops too! It was an honor for me as a Black woman to stand with her in the story. It’s an experience I’ll cherish for the rest of my life."

Outside of TV, Abrams is planning to run for governor of Georgia this year.

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