Sonequa Martin-Green on her appearance in Star Trek Online: “it was challenging in a different way”

Jeri Ryan as Seven of Nine and Sonequa Martin-Green as Michael Burnham in Star Trek Online: Legacy

This year, Star Trek Online celebrates its 10th anniversary, a hugely significant milestone for a free-to-play MMORPG. To commemorate the occasion, they’ve released Star Trek Online: Legacy, a major update now available on PC, Xbox One and Playstation 4. In Legacy, Star Trek: Discovery star Sonequa Martin-Green lends her voice to her character, Michael Burnham, and joins the ranks of the many previous Trek actors who have voiced characters in the game, like Jeri Ryan, Jason Isaacs, and even Leonard Nimoy.

In a new interview with io9 this week, Martin-Green discusses her debut in Star Trek Online, what it was like getting into character, and how she feels about being the “face” of Star Trek: Discovery.

When asked about the challenges of recreating a character just using voice, as opposed to with her body, Martin-Green said, “It was challenging in a different way. [...] There’s something to be said about the journey you go on when all you do have is your voice. And especially when you’re matching with something that has already been created before you.” Martin-Green went on to explain that the process of creating Burnham’s voice in the game was very collaborative, and that the team at Cryptic, the studio behind Star Trek Online, were open to her advice on the interpretation of the character.

Later in the interview, Martin-Green reflected on what it means to her to lead a series like Star Trek: Discovery, and characterized it as “too big to communicate.” “I’ve tried so many times, in so many ways, to describe the impact it has had on me,” she said. “I’ve started saying ‘It’s indescribable,’ right? It lives in the unutterable. That’s the best way I can describe it.”

Martin-Green concluded by singing the praises of the team behind Star Trek Online. “They’ve got such, such, such phenomenal artists working and creating this content,” she said. “I truly feel we have some of the best minds in this industry working for Star Trek. I’m grateful.”

And of course, you can play Star Trek Online for free, on PC, Xbox One and Playstation 4. For more information, head to startrekonline.com.