Russellville native to star in “Star Trek”
Fans of the “Walking Dead” and “Once Upon a Time” television shows will soon spot a familiar face on a new “Star Trek” series – the face of a woman from right here in Russellville.
According to online entertainment sources, Sonequa Martin-Green has been cast as the lead on “Star Trek: Discovery,” which is set to air in 2017 on CBS All Access. The series is the first since “Star Trek: Enterprise” concluded in 2005 and continues – or to be more specific, chronologically pre-dates – the sci-fi story that began half a century ago.
Martin-Green, a 2003 Russellville High School graduate, will star as Rainsford, lieutenant commander of the USS Discovery. Her role represents the first main protagonist of a Star Trek series to not be the captain of the ship in the storyline.
Born in Russellville and graduating valedictorian of RHS in 2003, Martin-Green went on to graduate from the University of Alabama in 2007 with a degree in theatre. She relocated to New York City, where she and husband Kenric lived for five years before moving to California.
In addition to playing Sasha on “The Walking Dead” and Tamara in “Once Upon a Time,” Martin-Green has appeared on “Army Wives,” “The Good Wife” and “Gossip Girl,” among other shows.
Martin-Green called her mother Vera, who still lives in Russellville, with the good news Dec. 14.
“I just screamed and cried thinking how good God is,” Martin said. “I’m excited. She is doing what she set out to do.”
Although Martin-Green doesn’t often make it home to Russellville, Martin said she hopes to visit them in California soon, for an important birthday – her grandson will be 2 years old Jan. 10.
Martin, a three-time cancer survivor, said she is proud to think how God has blessed her to be able to bless her children, to help them spread their wings and see them grow and succeed.
“We’re just so proud of her. Words really can’t express what I’m feeling right now,” she said. “She’s a very intelligent girl, and I just feel like she’s doing what she set out to do.”
