Sonequa Martin-Green‘s career has soared through a mix of top entertainment franchises and singular personal choices. After anchoring Star Trek: Discovery for five seasons — in a defining journey wherein her Michael Burnham rises to be named captain of Discovery in the Season 3 finale — she pivoted into recent independent films such as My Dead Friend Zoe, She Dances, and Sarah’s Oil. She also stepped into a starring role as Lena Silver in the popular procedural Boston Blue.
As Star Trek approaches its 60th anniversary, the focus turns naturally to captains and legacy — who they are, what they represent, and how they evolve. In this conversation, the 41-year-old Martin-Green reflects on Burnham’s place in that history, what she’s learned about leadership on and off screen, and why stories that “move the needle forward” will always guide her decisions.
Star Trek is now 60 years old. How would you characterize Burnham’s place in this rich legacy?
Sonequa Martin-Green: I hope and pray that Burnham has a solidified position in the franchise, because there’s so much more to her than being the leader who found her way falling forward. She’s the one who figured out who she is and how she can contribute to the greater good through moral failures, confrontation, and true maturation. Those are tenets of her legacy. There’s also the historical context: the first Black female captain and lead of a show in the Star Trek franchise. I hope she’s seen as a testament to the fact that your deepest failures can drive your greatest successes.
Brendan Meadows / Paramount+
How do you think Burnham changed what a Star Trek captain should be?
Burnham is one of the only captains, if not the only, who you see become who they’re meant to be. It’s a great opportunity to see what the path of success really looks like, to see how that good fight of faith is fought. That was really powerful for me to be able to bring that story to life as a Black woman.
You jumped directly from Discovery into several independent movies and then a starring role on Boston Blue. How important was it to find fresh challenges?
It wasn’t a plan. I was excited to have some downtime, some rest time, and thankfully I did get that. But these opportunities came up and, as always, I was moved by the stories and prevailing themes. My time on Discovery sharpened that desire in me to only tell stories that matter, that are important. I understand that what matters is open to perspective. But what matters to me, what I consider important, is what moves the needle forward in society or addresses deep issues or helps in an emotional way. I want to tell those stories.
Did you ever imagine you’d be presiding over Friday Shabbat dinners on Boston Blue?
Never. This keeps happening where I just couldn’t predict what’s coming next. But I keep being astounded by what’s next. But being part of the Star Trek universe taught me so much about found family, leadership, and honor. It taught me what true inclusion looks like, and I have a biblical perspective on inclusion, so it sharpened that in me as well. Now I feel even more equipped to find the right stories and say yes when they come along.
Valerie MACON / AFP
There’s a great photo of you arm in arm with Kate Mulgrew at an event and one of you with William Shatner at the Discovery premiere. What’s it been like getting to know the other Star Trek captains?
It’s so wonderful. I love that in this new age of Star Trek we have access to each other, meeting up and reconnecting at conventions and events. It gives us an opportunity to know each other for real. I love seeing these people. Everyone has been so wonderful. They’ve welcomed me in, and we talk about how things have changed over the years. We celebrate with each other. It’s beautiful that we’re able to stay linked up generation to generation or iteration to iteration.
Star Trek goes through windows of franchise fatigue and resurgence. Discovery is over, and the other current shows are wrapping. How hopeful are you about reconnecting with Burnham somewhere down the line?
I’d love the opportunity to do that, and I think we all would. Our Discovery family would agree that we would love the opportunity to bring these voices back to life. I will always love Michael Burnham. It’s always with me and always will be. I think it would be compelling
to see Burnham come back in whatever capacity at whatever time. The hope remains alive, not just for Burnham, but for all of us on Star Trek: Discovery.
In addition to Star Trek, you spent several seasons playing Sasha Williams on The Walking Dead, and you’ve also been in the Space Jam and Boston Blue franchises. If you could pick another to be a part of, what would it be?
Years ago, I would’ve said Marvel, but I’m not going to say Marvel. I am going to say if things were different, I would have loved to be in the Matrix universe, if things had been different with how the subsequent films went.
TV Guide Magazine’s Star Trek: The Captains Special Issue is available for order online now at StarTrek.TVGM2026.com, and for purchase on newsstands nationwide.