Summary

• Commander Jett Reno, played by Tig Notaro, is a genius engineer on Star Trek: Discovery since season 2.
• In Discovery season 5, Reno plays a key role in unraveling the mystery of the Progenitors' treasure.
• Notaro expresses pride in the LGBTQ+ representation on the show and enjoys the comedic writing for her character.

Tig Notaro has made audiences laugh as Commander Jett Reno since she ed Star Trek: Discovery in season 2. Reno, one of the USS Discovery's genius engineers, is a beloved member of the crew who has helped save the day on numerous occasions.

In Star Trek: Discovery season 5, Commander Jett Reno is invaluable in helping locate the hidden clues to the ancient treasure of the Progenitors. Reno's 23rd-century history as a transporter of rare books was the key to finding the Eternal Gallery and Archive, where the final clue was found. Reno also revealed she's a part-time bartender who favors Vesper martinis, James Bond's cocktail of choice.

Screen Rant had the pleasure of interviewing Tig Notaro on how she was cast as Commander Jett Reno on Star Trek: Discovery, the series' groundbreaking LGBTQ+ representation, and how she always gets the funniest lines on the show.

Tig Notaro On How She Was Cast As Jett Reno On Star Trek: Discovery

Screen Rant: I'd like to ask you about how you became Jett Reno. I understand that you were friends with Alex Kurtzman. Was the role written for you? Did you audition? How did that whole process happen?

Tig Notaro: I've known Alex... he and I used to work at Sam Raimi's production company years ago, together. And he reached out [to me] out of nowhere, and just asked if I would come meet with him at his company, Secret Hideout. And so I did. And I knew it was about a role on Discovery.

But when he said, 'We'd like to use you as much as possible,' I thought that I was going to do an episode or two, and that would be the end of it. And then it was offered to me, and they just kept having me back. I had a really, really fun time on the show.

I understand you were more of a Star Wars fan growing up. What's it like for you to be part of the Star Trek universe?

Tig Notaro: My brother and I watched the original Star Trek series when we were kids. And we had all the action figures and everything that we'd play with, so it was still a thrill. Even if you don't grow up being into any of these shows, I still think, how do you deny the fun of being a part of something like this? Especially since there's so much positivity in the world of Star Trek that it's really a pleasure to be a part of.

Tig Notaro On Star Trek: Discovery's Groundbreaking LGBTQ+ Representation And Working With The Cast

Discovery is also the most groundbreaking Star Trek in of LGBTQ+ representation. And what does it mean for you to be part of a show that's presenting LGBTQ+ characters in such a positive light?

Tig Notaro: I have a lot of pride around it. It's really remarkable how many people it speaks to. And also, even beyond the LGBTQ community, it's so amazing how the general public and straight men and all of these people don't even flinch at the world in Star Trek: Discovery, where it's just presented as a part of everybody's life and world.

And it's just as cool of a series as the others. That's what I find so cool about it. That it's not only being watched and followed by one community. I feel like it just speaks across the board. So that's really, really cool.

It really is wonderful. It's one of the best things about Star Trek. Everybody says Discovery has the nicest cast and crew. Who are your favorite scene partners on the show that you've worked with?

Tig Notaro: Ah, it is true. Everybody is so unbelievably nice. It's the whole cast and crew. I just cannot believe how nice and pleasant everybody is. I've enjoyed everybody. I think that there's something so fun about my scenes though with Anthony [Rapp]. I just love bickering with him. It just comes so naturally. Mary Wiseman is just one of the most ridiculous people on this planet, and she makes me laugh on and off screen. But, I mean, it's endless. Everybody is really tremendous.

Have you personally felt the impact of Star Trek? Have you had fans come up to you and say what Jett Reno means to them?

Tig Notaro: I hear it in a more blanket way of, 'Oh my god, this show means so much to me' and kind of stuff. But I feel like I get more of, 'Oh, your character so funny,' or 'I love your quips and the sarcasm', and 'You're a badass.' That kind of thing. I can't recall an actual kind of deep moment from anyone about Jett Reno, but I'll take whatever. I'll take a deep moment, or I'll take 'You're a badass.'

The Humor In Star Trek's Writing And If Tig Notaro Has Seen The Ending Of Star Trek: Discovery

One of the secrets of Star Trek is that it can actually be very funny. It goes all the way back to Kirk, Spock, and McCoy. You always have the funniest lines as Reno. How much of it is the writing and how much it is you?

Tig Notaro: It's 100% the writing. That was one of the fun surprises. I didn't know my character was going to be comedic. I mean, I guess I knew maybe there was the possibility, because Alex knew that I was a Star Wars fan. I think he said that he watched and listened to a lot of my stand up and kind of folded in the vibe of Han Solo, in the character as well.

And so, when I was reading the scripts, I was truly laughing out loud because I couldn't wait to say these lines. I've run into people all the time... In fact, I did a corporate gig last night in Denver and a couple of the people at the meet and greet were asking me, ‘Do you riff? Do you write these lines?’ No, I don't at all. Really, all of it is the writers.

This is the final season. Have you seen the ending of Discovery, the extra scenes that they shot to wrap up the series, or are you saving it?

Tig Notaro: I'm saving it.

Me too. I haven't seen the finale yet, but I don't want it to end.

Tig Notaro: (laughs) Well, I'm sure Star Trek has way more coming for you.

Hopefully, for you, too. There is another show coming. Star Trek: Starfleet Academy. Maybe Reno can that in some way.

Tig Notaro: I would love to. I'd love to be playing Reno for as long as possible. I really, really enjoy it. I love it so much.

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:

• Sonequa Martin-Green
• David Ajala and Doug Jones
• Wilson Cruz, Mary Wiseman & Blu del Barrio
• Alex Kurtzman and Michelle Paradise
• Callum Keith Rennie
• Eve Harlow and Elias Toufexis
• David Ajala
• Mary Wiseman
• Elias Toufexis

New episodes of Star Trek: Discovery season 5 stream Thursdays on Paramount+