CBS's upcoming "Star Trek" television series, "Star Trek: Discovery," has received its fair share of criticism just like its predecessors. A big focus of internet critics is the show's diverse casting, with comments ranging from outright racist opinions to rants about its "forced diversity."

Now, the upcoming show's main star Sonequa Martin-Green, who plays the role of the USS Shenzhou's first officer Michael Burnham, has responded to critics and defended her casting as the first female black lead within the franchise.

The main point

During a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, the 32-year old actress explained that the spirit of the "Star Trek" franchise has always been about diversity but at the same time seeing everyone else as equal.

The actress further explained the show had always been trying to show people how they are all just one species and that this was the very reason why it had been so popular for so many years.

Following the same formula

Aside from Martin-Green, her fellow actress Michelle Yeoh has also been received some negative comments regarding her role as a starship captain in the upcoming series. However, it has to be noted that the franchise itself has always been at the forefront of showcasing diversity as evident in the property original 1966 television series, "Star Trek: The Original Series."

The show itself featured such a diverse cast that it was really unheard of during that time.

The original series featured a black communications officer, played by Nichelle Nichols, and an Asian gay actor in the form of the politically active George Takei. Other television series installments and full feature films also featured diverse cast members and characters.

Check out the show's first look trailer below:

Planned and intentional

The upcoming series' creator, Bryan Fuller, had previously revealed that it was his intention to have a show that was full of diverse characters and a female lead.

Fuller, who is openly gay, had also just recently confirmed that there will be at least one openly gay character in the upcoming series.

During an interview, Fuller also explained that he simply wanted to continue the tradition that has been brought forth by the franchise's previous installments, which includes the use of different cast and characters from all walks of life. Having a new "Star Trek" series that showcases the universe through the eyes of a black woman achieves that goal and Fuller believes that it is a big step forward for the property as well.
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