Sonequa Martin-Green believes that one of her characters would thrive in bothThe Walking DeadandStar Trek. Martin-Green played Michael Burnham inStar Trek: Discoveryfrom 2017 to 2024, which is the role that she is arguably best known for. She was also a member ofThe Walking Dead’s cast, however, as she played Sasha Williams from 2012 to 2018. While those are her two most prominent portrayals, she additionally appeared inSpace Jam: A New Legacy(2021),My Dead Friend Zoe(2024), and ABC’sOnce Upon a Time.
While speaking withScreenRant’s Joe Deckelmeier during her Star Trek panel at FanExpo Dallas, Martin-Green considered the legacy of herStar TrekandWalking Deadroles. In particular, Decklemeier prompted her to ponder how the two characters would fare in the other’s universe. While Martin-Green admitted that she had “never heard that question before”, she quickly realized thatMichael would be the most successfulin the crossover, despite traveling to a much more dangerous time. Check out her explanation below:
ScreenRant:I feel like Michael Burnham would approach a zombie apocalypse a lot differently than any other character in The Walking Dead, and then Sasha being in Star Trek is such a fascinating idea. How well would they do in each other’s universe?
Sonequa Martin-Green:Oh, man, this is good. You’re also dealing with two completely different time periods… I have never heard that question before my life.I think maybe it’s easier to go back to the past?Zombies or aliens… I think Sasha would probably be so defensive against everything, and it’s like, “No, no, this alien is good.”
I think Michael would thrive [in The Walking Dead]. I didn’t want to say it, but she’d take over. She’d be like, “So you need to be… And, of course, I’m going to… This is what we’re gonna do.” She knows how to be on mission, and she knows how to problem-solve and get it done. I think she’d warm up to it, but she would be highly useful.
What This Means For Star Trek’s Future
A crossover is certainly unlikely, given thatStar Trekis produced by Paramount GlobalandThe Walking Deadby AMC Studios. There has been speculation of a merger, but none has ever materialized, leaving these universes as two distinct entities. Still, it is worth considering how characters would fare in each other’s worlds. Pondering the possibility of a crossoverhelpsto reveal the underlying traits of each universe’s starsand the traits needed to survive in these universes. WhileWalking Deadcharacters would likely fail given their lack of advanced technological exposure, it is an exciting thought experiment.
After all, theStar TrekandWalking Deadworldscould not be more different, especially when considering the underlying themes.The Walking Deadis a world that is devoid of much long-term hope, as every moment of life is racked with the uncomfortable notion that anyone could die at any moment. InStar Trek,the entire franchise is about hope for the future, a sense of togetherness, and the need to band together despite everything. There is one major similarity, however, in that every single member of a crew is expected to contribute greatly to the overall mission.
She Is Certainly Right About Michael
As both crews need to rely on their team members to maintain their survival,Star Trekcharacters could very well thrive in the apocalypse, as Martin-Green argued. Michael, in particular, would thrive in that environment, as she is extremely intelligent, adaptable, and resilient. She could struggle with following orders in a crisis, which occurs fairly often inThe Walking Dead, but her other traits could ensure that she finds a group to stand alongside her. She may not be a captain in the world of Walkers, but it would be fun to see her attempting to build her own civilization.
