Michelle Hurd talks Star Trek: Picard and Countdown comic
"Michelle Hurd & Alison Pill" by Gage Skidmore is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
The final issue of Star Trek: Picard - Countdown is out in comic shops today from IDW, and at least one Star Trek: Picard star is more than ready.
Speaking to TrekCore during the Picard press tour earlier this month, Michelle Hurd, who plays Raffi Musiker in the series, said she originally had no idea that her character would be featured in a comic book. She said, “That was crazy, right? [...] Jonathan Del Arco actually sent me a text [letting me know.] I [was] with my nephews and I was like, ‘Oh my god, you guys, look! I’m in a comic book!’”
Hurd’s character Musiker will make her debut in this week’s second episode of Star Trek: Picard. We already know from CBS All Access’s promos that Musiker has a history with Picard. Hurd said of their relationship, “They had a falling out. She is a security analyst and a hacking genius. She’s really sarcastic… but she also is haunted by some decisions that she made in the past, and has a really complicated and challenging relationship with the Federation.”
Hurd went on to explain that Musiker is an addict, but that they try and frame her addiction in optimism in the show. “I said to [Star Trek: Picard showrunner] Michael [Chabon] that it was imperative that she not be, you know, just ‘a drunk’ or ‘a druggie’ or whatever,” Hurd said. “She’s using these vices to actually get up out of bed, and to put one foot in front of the other to get through the day. [...] And I think you see that Raffi needs help, and she’s doing the best she can.”
One of the things that Hurd is most “ecstatic” about in Star Trek: Picard is its representation of racial diversity. Hurd is biracial, and she said that Star Trek was one of the only shows her family watched together growing up - because of its diversity. “It’s really important,” she said. “Incredibly important. [...] We’ve got to have our kids represented; people need to see themselves on television.”
Once again, Star Trek: Picard episode 2 - featuring our first look at Raffi Musiker - is out this Thursday, and Star Trek: Picard - Countdown issue #3 is out in comic shops today.
