Summary

• Captain Burnham leads USS Discovery on a treasure hunt for ancient galactic power in the final season of Star Trek: Discovery.
• Season 5 introduces new foes Moll and L'ak, as well as rival Captain Rayner, creating tension with Burnham's character.
• Burnham's relationship with former flame, Cleveland Booker, continues to be complicated and evolves in the season.

Sonequa Martin-Green is taking her last ride as Captain Michael Burnham in Star Trek: Discovery season 5. As the series lead and a producer, Martin-Green has portrayed a revolutionary Star Trek heroine, taking Burnham from mutineer to Captain in Discovery's 5 seasons.

In Star Trek: Discovery season 5, Captain Burnham leads the USS Discovery on a treasure hunt for an ancient galactic power, which is sought after by new foes Moll (Eve Harlow) and L'ak (Elias Toufexis), as well as rival Starfleet Captain Rayner (Callum Keith Rennie). Burnham also reunites with her former flame, Cleveland Booker (David Ajala).

Screen Rant interviewed Sonequa Martin-Green prior to Star Trek: Discovery season 5's world premiere at SXSW to discuss Captain Burnham's journey, Discovery season 5's new faces, and Burnham and Book's complicated relationship status.

Sonequa Martin-Green Relishes Captain Burnham's Last Ride In Star Trek: Discovery Season 5

Screen Rant: In Discovery season 5, Burnham's asking big questions, capital B big questions. She's searching for something and not just the treasure. What can you tell me about Burnham's big questions and her personal journey?

Sonequa Martin-Green: Oh, my goodness. Well, I think that the story of season five is one that only Season Five Burnham would have been able to go through so successfully, and so effectively. Because we have this woman who has found herself. She understands that her value can't be measured or quantified. She understands that her crew is invaluable as well. She knows how to dig the gold out of them. She's done the work to grow and become who she is, and be the captain that she is, that matriarchal leader who will get down and dirty but who leads with grace.

I think that what Burnham and the crew, the entire crew, deal with in season 5, I think it actually applies to everyone. That they were perfectly ready for those capital B big questions and big concepts. They were ready for it because all of them had grown to the point where they could handle it.

In season 5, there are these great new characters that come in. Captain Rayner is amazing. Such a different vibe, like oil and water with Burnham. Tell me about working with Callum Keith Rennie.

Sonequa Martin-Green: Oh, we love Callum. We always welcome everybody with open arms, and with a big smile and a hug, and let's go let's fly, you know. And so, he just became a part of our family. It was very seamless. And he's so different from what we've seen before. And we really appreciated that, and he's brilliant.

Everyone that came [in], Eve [Harlow] and Elias [Toufexis] as well. Our Moll and L'ak, like same same. Elias had been in the show before, early early early on, for just a hot second in season one. So it was great to welcome him back. And we alwayslove these people that come in, and they make a mark that can never be raised. And they were family. And now they always will be, and it was a joy to watch them work. All of them.

What Star Trek: Discovery Season 5 Has In Store For Burnham & Book

Burnham and Book are obviously endgame. It's one of the best love stories ever in Star Trek.

Sonequa Martin-Green: Oh, thank you.

What is your take on their relationship in season 5 and what David brings to your chemistry?

Sonequa Martin-Green: Oh, man. Well, David, it's really interesting because he played such an important role - of course, everyone's role is of utmost importance - But we saw this new future through his lens. And in a lot of ways, he was our future perspective, jumping ahead, but beyond where any Trek has ever been, to the year 3188. At the top of season 3, we learned about this world through him in a lot of ways.

I feel that he brought a sense of excitement. He brought a sense of fun. He brought a sense of freedom. And he definitely affected Burnham in that way and helped her come out of that shell, helped her start to define her duty internally rather than externally. So he brings a great deal and Burnham and Book, I always say this, I think it's perfect. They are the classic old Facebook. What was it called?

Relationship status?

Sonequa Martin-Green: Yes, relationship status. Thank you! It's complicated. That's them. That's them. It’s complicated.

About Star Trek: Discovery Season 5

The fifth and final season of Star Trek: Discovery finds Captain Burnham and the crew of the USS Discovery uncovering a mystery that will send them on an epic adventure across the galaxy to find an ancient power whose very existence has been deliberately hidden for centuries. But there are others on the hunt as well … dangerous foes who are desperate to claim the prize for themselves and will stop at nothing to get it.

Check out our other Star Trek: Discovery season 5 interviews here:

• Alex Kurtzman & Michelle Paradise
• Doug Jones & David Ajala
• Wilson Cruz, Mary Wiseman & Blu del Barrio

Star Trek: Discovery season 5 premieres April 4 on Paramount+Source: Screen Rant Plus