The latest installment of the long-running, iconic Star Trek franchise—Star Trek: Picard—has been getting tons of critical acclaim ever since its premiere earlier this year, but one thing LGBTQ+ fans of the show have noticed in this first season is the distinct lack of explicit queer representation. After all, with all the amazing rep we get in sister series Star Trek: Discovery, it's only natural that Trekkies would expect the same in Picard, right?
Well, according to the sci-fi series' showrunner and writer Michael Chabon, Picard might get an openly LGBTQ+ character in the near future...
"Will we see any overt LGBTQ+ rep in S1?" one Trekkie asked Chabon during a recent question and answer session on his Instagram story. "I’m loving PIC, but there’s been a lack, thank u!"
"You’re right, there has been a relative lack of emphasis there," Chabon replied. "Our characters’ sexualities, or rather our understanding of them, emerged and evolved over the course of the season, as our actors moved into and began to inhabit their roles."
He continued:
"It was an organic process, and references to sexual identity and history arise in a less explicit way. Next season that understanding will come more fully into play."
Considering the legendary franchise's already long, rich history of LGBTQ+ inclusion (and allegories), we're sure it's only a matter of time until we see some explicit queer rep in Jean Luc's universe.
The season 1 finale of Star Trek: Picardwill premiere on CBS All Access on Thursday, March 26.
And the rest of the first season is also available to stream on CBS All Access.
