Blu del Barrio explains what was up with Adira’s pronouns in their Star Trek: Discovery debut
Pictured Blu Del Barrio of the CBS All Access series STAR TREK: DISCOVERY. Photo Cr: James Dimmock/CBS ©2019 CBS Interactive, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
NOVEMBER 2, 2020 - There’s been some confusion this weekend over one of Star Trek: Discovery’s newest cast members. Please be warned, very minor spoilers ahead.
In last Thursday’s episode of Discovery season three, “People of Earth”, we finally meet Adira. They were touted before the season’s start as Star Trek’s first non-binary character played by a non-binary actor, newcomer Blu del Barrio. But in the course of the episode, Adira is repeatedly referred to as “she/her”. Now, undoubtedly, we can expect to find out more about the character and their gender identity as the season progresses. But for those who were confused or concerned about the character’s presentation on screen, del Barrio themself has been making the rounds explaining the early evolution of their character.
In an interview with SYFY WIRE this weekend, del Barrio explained that their character’s journey will mirror their own. “Adira is non-binary,” they said. “Even when people are using she/they pronouns, for Adira, because they have not shared their identity with the Discovery crew. [...] And this was basically the case because I still wasn't really out to my family and I didn't want to be out on screen as a character who was out until I was. [...] I wanted to wait until I had told my family and my friends. So I kind of came out alongside them.”
Del Barrio also confirmed that Adira themself is non-binary, and always has been non-binary, as opposed to “becoming” non-binary because of their circumstances.
If you were confused about Adira’s “she/her” appearance in last week’s Star Trek: Discovery, you’re not alone, but hopefully del Barrio’s explanation gives you enough to go on until we find out more about Adira’s journey. To catch up on the first three episodes of Star Trek: Discovery season three, and to be among the first to see episode four when it comes out on Thursday, make sure to subscribe to CBS All Access.
