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Star Trek: Lower Decks is an American adult animated television series created by Mike McMahan for the streaming service CBS All Access. It is the ninth series in the Star Trek franchise, and was launched in 2020 as part of executive producer Alex Kurtzman's expansion of the franchise. Lower Decks is the first animated series created for All Access, and the first animated Star Trek series since the 1973–74 series Star Trek: The Animated Series. It follows the support crew of the U.S.S. Cerritos in the year 2380.

Tawny Newsome, Jack Quaid, Noël Wells, and Eugene Cordero voice "lower decks" crew members of the Cerritos, with Dawnn Lewis, Jerry O'Connell, Fred Tatasciore, and Gillian Vigman also starring. Characters seen previously in Star Trek also appear, including John de Lancie as Q, Jonathan Frakes as William Riker, and Marina Sirtis as Deanna Troi.

The following list includes the main cast of Lower Decks, all guest characters with recurring roles, and a supplementary list of other noteworthy guests.

Overview[edit]

  = Main cast (Credited main cast member)
  = Recurring cast (3+ appearances in a season)
  = Guest cast (1-2 appearances per season)
ActorCharacterSeasons
Season 1Season 2
Main Cast
Tawny NewsomeBeckett MarinerMain
Jack QuaidBrad BoimlerMain
Noël WellsD'Vana TendiMain
Eugene CorderoSam RutherfordMain
Dawnn LewisCarol FreemanMain
Jerry O'ConnellJack RansomMain
Fred TatascioreShaxsMainDoes not appear
Gillian VigmanT'AnaMain
Recurring Cast
Jessica McKennaBarnesRecurring
Ben RodgersStevensRecurring
Paul ScheerAndy BillupsRecurring
Sam RichardsonVendomeRecurring
Marcus HendersonJet ManhaverRecurring
Tim RobinsonFletcherRecurringTBD
Jack McBrayerBadgeyRecurringTBD
Lauren LapkusJenniferRecurringTBD
Special guests
John de LancieQSpecial GuestTBD
Jonathan FrakesWilliam T. RikerSpecial Guest
Marina SirtisDeanna TroiSpecial GuestTBD

Main characters[edit]

Beckett Mariner[edit]

Beckett Mariner (voiced by Tawny Newsome) is a human ensign aboard the U.S.S. Cerritos and the daughter of Captain Freeman.[1][2] Newsome described the character as irreverent and a rule-breaker, though she is actually "very good at all things Starfleet, she just doesn’t care" and has been demoted several times. Newsome added that Mariner "just wants to ride her skateboard and eat her piece of pizza in peace, man."[3] Mike McMahan confirmed that Captain Amina Ramsey was her former lover at Starfleet Academy.[4]

Brad Boimler[edit]

Main article: Brad Boimler

Bradward "Brad" Boimler (voiced by Jack Quaid) is a human ensign aboard the Cerritos,[1] Boimler is a stickler for the rules and will need to learn how to improvise if he is to become a captain one day.[5] Quaid described the character by saying "he would nail the written portion of the driving test with flying colors but once it actually got to him being in the car, it would be a complete and total disaster."[3] Quaid originally auditioned for the role of Rutherford.[6]

D'Vana Tendi[edit]

D'Vana Tendi (voiced by Noël Wells) is an Orion ensign in the medical bay aboard the Cerritos,[5][7] Tendi is a big fan of Starfleet,[5] who is always thrilled to be working on a starship. She is new to the Cerritos at the start of the series, and helps introduce the audience to the setting and characters. Creator Mike McMahan believes he would act like Tendi if he ever got the chance to work on a starship.[3]

Sam Rutherford[edit]

Samanthan "Sam" Rutherford (voiced by Eugene Cordero) is a human ensign aboard the Cerritos,[1][8] Rutherford is adjusting to a new cyborg implant.[5] McMahan compared Rutherford to the Star Trek: The Next Generation character Geordi La Forge, saying they are both "amazing at engineering stuff" but Rutherford does not always solve the problem like Geordi because he is still learning.[3]

Carol Freeman[edit]

Carol Freeman (voiced by Dawnn Lewis) is the human captain of the Cerritos.[1] McMahan described her as a capable Starfleet captain whose starship is not very important.[9] Freeman does not want her daughter, Mariner, to be on the Cerritos and is looking for a reason to have her transferred to another ship.[2]

Jack Ransom[edit]

Jack Ransom (voiced by Jerry O'Connell) is the human first officer of the Cerritos, whom McMahan compared to Next Generation's William Riker, if he was on speed and had less shame.[1][3]

Shaxs[edit]

Shaxs (voiced by Fred Tatasciore) is a Bajoran tactical officer aboard the Cerritos.[1][3] Shaxs /ˈʃæks/ is extremely aggressive with a warrior ethos and a willingness to go into battle; he has been described as a parody of Worf (a Klingon main character from The Next Generation and Deep Space Nine). Shaxs dies in battle at the end of the first season.[10][11]

T'Ana[edit]

T'Ana (voiced by Gillian Vigman) is a Caitian doctor and head of medical aboard the Cerritos.[1] McMahan described her as "a good doctor, but she’s an unpleasant cat." Including a Caitian in the series is a reference to Star Trek: The Animated Series which also starred a member of that species, M'Ress.[9]

Recurring characters[edit]

  • Barnes (voiced by Jessica McKenna) is an ensign on the Cerritos.[12][13]
  • Stevens (voiced by Ben Rodgers) is a lieutenant commander on the Cerritos. Rodgers is a writer for the series.[14]
  • Andy Billups (voiced by Paul Scheer) is the human chief engineer of the Cerritos and the direct boss of Rutherford.[15]
  • Vendome (voiced by Sam Richardson) is an ensign on the Cerritos.[16][13]
  • The USS Cerritos computer is voiced by Jessica McKenna.
  • Jet Manhaver (voiced by Marcus Henderson) is a lieutenant on the Cerritos. He dated Barbara Brinson before Boimler did.[17][13]
  • Fletcher (voiced by Tim Robinson) is an ensign on the Cerritor who is promoted to lieutenant and transferred to the Titan, before being fired from Starfleet.[13]
  • Badgey (voiced by Jack McBrayer) is a malfunctioning hologram in the form of an anthropomorphic Starfleet badge.[13]
  • Jennifer (voiced by Lauren Lapkus) is an Andorian ensign on the Cerritos.[13]

Guest characters[edit]

Introduced in previous series[edit]

  • Q (voiced by John de Lancie)[18]
  • Leonardo da Vinci (voiced by Gary Cole)[19]
  • William Riker (voiced by Jonathan Frakes) is captain of the USS Titan[20]
  • Deanna Troi (voiced by Marina Sirtis)[20]

Introduced in season one[edit]

  • Mariner's father (voiced by Phil LaMarr), a Starfleet admiral
  • K'orin (voiced by Jess Harnell)
  • Quimp (voiced by Tom Kenny)
  • An injured Bajoran crew member (voiced by Ryan Ridley)
  • Vindor (voiced by Kevin Michael Richardson)
  • O'Connor (voiced by Haley Joel Osment)
  • Durango (voiced by Al Rodrigo)
  • Barbara Brinson (voiced by Gillian Jacobs)
  • Ron Docent (voiced by Matt Walsh)
  • Angie (voiced by Kari Wahlgren), an old friend of Mariner's
  • Niko (voiced by Nolan North), an old friend of Mariner's
  • Asif (voiced by Asif Ali)
  • Karavitus (voiced by Artemis Pebdani)
  • A Drookmani captain (voiced by J.G. Hertzler)
  • Amina Ramsey (voiced by Toks Olagundoye), who was confirmed by series creator Mike McMahan as Beckett Mariner's former lover at Starfleet Academy, even though it wasn't explicit.[4]
  • The old/young ensign (voiced by Nolan North)
  • The Dog (voiced by Jennifer Hale)
  • Clar (voiced by Kurtwood Smith)[18]
  • Captain Seartave (voiced by Kenneth Mitchell)[21]
  • Migleemo (voiced by Paul F. Tompkins), a psychologist. In June 2020, Newsome was asked by a fan on Twitter if comedian Paul F. Tompkins would have a guest role in the series given Newsome was a frequent guest on Tompkins' podcast Spontaneanation. Tompkins expressed interest in the idea, and McMahan responded to say that he was organizing to have Tompkins cast for a guest role in the series' second season.[22] He ultimately appeared as Migleemo in season one.[19]
  • Lemonts (voiced by Gabrielle Ruiz)
  • Peanut Hamper (voiced by Kether Donohue)
  • A Solvang first officer (voiced by Merrin Dungey)
  • Titan lieutenant #1 (voiced by Echo Kellum)

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g ""Star Trek: Lower Decks" Voice Cast and Animated Characters Unveiled at San Diego Comic-Con(R)". The Futon Critic. July 20, 2019. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
  2. ^ a b Cardona, Ian (August 12, 2020). "Star Trek: Lower Decks: Who Is Ensign Mariner?". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on August 14, 2020. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Pascale, Anthony (July 22, 2019). "SDCC19: 'Lower Decks' Panel Unveils An Animated Comedy By And For Star Trek Fans". TrekMovie.com. Archived from the original on July 23, 2019. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
  4. ^ a b McMahan, Mike (October 8, 2020). "'Star Trek: Lower Decks' EP Mike McMahan On That TNG Cameo and LGBTQ Characters in Season 2" (Online) (Interview). Interviewed by Adam B. Vary. Variety. Archived from the original on October 9, 2020. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
  5. ^ a b c d "Comic-Con 2019: 'Star Trek: Lower Decks' Characters and Voice Cast Revealed". TrekMovie.com. July 20, 2019. Archived from the original on July 21, 2019. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
  6. ^ Star Trek: Lower Decks – Midseason Special – The Ready Room. YouTube. September 10, 2020. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
  7. ^ Star Trek [@StarTrek] (July 27, 2020). "Meet Ensign Tendi when #StarTrekLowerDecks beams in August 6th 👋 #StarTrek bit.ly/STLowerDecks" (Tweet). Retrieved July 31, 2020 – via Twitter.
  8. ^ Star Trek [@StarTrek] (July 27, 2020). "Ensign Sam Rutherford reporting for duty. Star Trek: Lower Decks beams in August 6th 🖖 #StarTrekLowerDecks bit.ly/STLowerDecks" (Tweet). Retrieved July 31, 2020 – via Twitter.
  9. ^ a b Drew, Brian (August 6, 2019). "STLV19: 'Star Trek: Lower Decks' Panel Talks Second Contacts, Cleaning Holodecks, And Canon". TrekMovie.com. Archived from the original on August 8, 2019. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
  10. ^ Jarman, Jason (August 6, 2020). "'Star Trek: Lower Decks' Review - Laugh Long And Prosper". Electric Bento. Archived from the original on September 20, 2020. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  11. ^ Pascale, Anthony. "Review: 'Star Trek: Lower Decks' Seeks Tech Support In "Terminal Provocations"". TrekMovie.com. Archived from the original on 2020-10-20. Retrieved 2020-10-19.
  12. ^ Perry, Alex (August 6, 2020). "Star Trek: Lower Decks Review: "Second Contact"". TrekCore.com. Archived from the original on August 22, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  13. ^ a b c d e f Perry, Alex (September 10, 2020). "Star Trek: Lower Decks Review: "Terminal Provocations"". TrekCore.com. Archived from the original on September 10, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  14. ^ "Stevens". StarTrek.com. Archived from the original on December 30, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  15. ^ Patten, Dominic (July 20, 2020). "'Star Trek: Lower Decks' Beams 'Black Monday's Paul Scheer Aboard For Recurring Guest Role In Animated Series". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on July 21, 2020. Retrieved July 25, 2020.
  16. ^ "Vendome". StarTrek.com. Archived from the original on December 30, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  17. ^ "Manhaver". StarTrek.com. Archived from the original on December 30, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  18. ^ a b Cremona, Patrick (September 9, 2020). "Star Trek's John de Lancie is returning as Q for a Lower Decks cameo". Radio Times. Archived from the original on December 30, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  19. ^ a b Thomas, Shain E. (October 2, 2020). "'Star Trek: Lower Decks': S01.E09. "Crisis Point"". Medium. Archived from the original on October 18, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  20. ^ a b Star Trek (October 8, 2020). The Ready Room – Star Trek: Lower Decks Finale Special. Facebook. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
  21. ^ Britt, Ryan (September 25, 2020). "'Star Trek Keeps Me Inspired': Kenneth Mitchell on Living with ALS, Lower Decks, and His Return to Discovery". SyFy Wire. Archived from the original on September 27, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  22. ^ "'Star Trek: Lower Decks' Voice Actor Talks "Deep Cut" Jokes For Trekkies, With Work On Season 2 Underway". TrekMovie.com. June 15, 2020. Archived from the original on June 19, 2020. Retrieved June 19, 2020.