Jesse James Keitel Cast as Nonbinary Character in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds

Jesse James Keitel is set to play a nonbinary character on Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Variety reports.

The trans actress will play Dr. Apsen, a former Starfleet counselor who shifted careers to work in humanitarian aid. The episode, which was directed by Sydney Freeland, a trans filmmaker, will feature Keitel's character having a surprise connection with Spock (Ethan Peck). Keitel is set to appear in the June 16 episode of the Star Trek spinoff.

The move to cast Keitel as a nonbinary character is just the latest in efforts by the Star Trek franchise to feature LGBTQIA+ representation. Since 2017, diverse characters have been appearing in Star Trek projects in the form of same-sex couples, nonbinary characters, transgender characters, and bisexual characters.

Keitel, who is currently starring in Peacock's revival of Queer As Folk, was the first trans person to become a series regular on a primetime network TV show when she joined the cast of ABC's Big Sky.

New episodes of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds drop every Thursday on Paramount+.

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Kirstie Renae is a writer, blogger, and Austin-based actress with a penchant for binge-watching TV with her dogs. Follow her on Twitter @KirstieRenae.