Sonequa Martin-Green, 'Walking Dead' Star, Cast as 'Star Trek' Lead

"The Walking Dead" star Sonequa Martin-Green has been tapped to play the new lead of "Star Trek: Discovery" as Lieutenant Commander.

Martin-Green is the first "Star Trek" cast leader to be African-American and a woman. She currently plays Sasha Williams on "The Walking Dead." Her character on "Star Trek: Discovery" will be Lt. Commander Rainsford.

The previous six "Star Trek" series have all been from the captain’s point-of-view, but original showrunner Bryan Fuller thought it was important to get a different point of view, according to the Los Angeles Times.

The CBS All Access show will also feature Michelle Yeoh as Captain Georgiou and Doug Jones as Lt. Saru of Starfleet. It is set to premiere in May.

Twitter was abuzz over the development and offered congratulations to Martin-Green.

'Star Trek: Discovery' casts 'Walking Dead' actress Sonequa Martin-Green as lead. It's lit 🔥🙌🏾#StarTrekDiscovery https://t.co/do4pP8ikkd pic.twitter.com/SyZFnMGYQn

— Geeks Of Color (@GeeksOfColor) December 14, 2016

yayYayYAY @SonequaMGl!!! leading the way on @startrekcbs :))) happy & proud of you!!! #TWDFamily ::: https://t.co/TFUYrYbkff

— Melissa Ponzio (@MelissaPonzio1) December 15, 2016

Congrats to actress @SonequaMG on becoming the 1st African American woman to lead a "Star Trek" cast! #becauseofthemwecan #blackgirlmagic pic.twitter.com/OJstCMEBiQ

— #becauseofthemwecan (@Becauseofthem) December 15, 2016

My soul is soaring. I will finally see a Black woman leading a Star Trek series. I'm beyond stoked. https://t.co/0MLI3rzqVJ

— Sure. Fine. Whatever (@memorizeyrlines) December 15, 2016

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