With 13 bold and adventurous space-faring movies (so far), the Star Trek franchise has introduced many new, exciting, daring, and interesting female characters. Most of the franchise’s feature films have anchored, warped, or enriched the central stories with a balance of gendered characters, from allies to enemies to old flames to mentored cadets. With Persis Khambatta’s Lieutenant Ilia establishing the precedent in the franchise’s cinematic premiere, Star Trek: The Motion Picture, most Star Trek movies have seen plot and character developments with a wide-ranging wealth of powerful and remarkable women.
Bridging the gaps between the crews of Star Trek: The Original Series, Star Trek: The Next Generation in the Prime universe, and J.J. Abram’s rebooted Star Trek in the alternate Kelvin timeline, several of the characters listed below overlap the two realities or leapfrog movies with different actors playing the same role. Other Star Trek movies introduce brand-new characters from unexplored worlds or far-flung heroines with previous history with the franchise’s established (mostly male) heroes. Other movies find inspiration from people in past eras. But with such a wealth and variation of possibilities, thesefresh female players hit the big screen with style. Let’s look at Star Trek‘s best new female movie characters.
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13 Caithlin Dar (Cynthia Gouw)
Star Trek V: The Final Frontier
Caithlin Dar appeared as the Romulan representative on Nimbus III in Star Trek V: The Final Frontier and was one of three diplomats captured by the radical Vulcan Sybok (Laurence Luckinbill) and subjected to his mental influence during his quest to find Sha Ka Ree. Aligning with Sybok’s Galactic Army of Light, Caithlin Dar and the Human and Klingon diplomats quickly work to entrap and disarm the USS Enterprise-A shuttle crew officers, sending out a staged hostage transmission and ultimately taking over the ship. An important figure by profession and placement, Caithlin Dar personifies the progressive importance and contrasting risks of cooperation, commitment, and trust.
12 Anij (Donna Murphy)
Star Trek: Insurrection
In Star Trek: Insurrection, Anij (Donna Murphy) stars as a peaceful Ba’ku settler over 300 years old. With the metaphasic particles from the planet’s rings providing renewing properties, the Ba’ku are extraordinarily long-lived and have developed a degree of mental influence. As a Son’a/Starfleet conspiracy begins to take root against the Ba’ku, Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) and Anij develop a romantic relationship and set out to defend the Ba’ku against the despicable scheme. Notable for her enhanced youth, mental abilities, and loyalty to her people, Anij’s commitment emphasizes the significance of her long life and considered peaceful ideals.
11 Lieutenant Ilia (Persis Khambatta)
Star Trek: The Motion Picture
In Star Trek‘s 1979 movie premiere, Star Trek: The Motion Picture, Lieutenant Ilia (Persis Khambatta) is assigned to the USS Enterprise as navigator when Admiral James T. Kirk (William Shatner) assumes command to investigate the V’Ger entity. A Deltan, Ilia had pain-relieving abilities during tactile contact with others and comforted Pavel Chekov (Walter Koenig) following a wrist injury. Ilia is killed on the Enterprise’s Bridge by V’Ger’s probe during the mission and soon replicated almost exactly as a second probe by V’Ger, sent to the Enterprise to collect information on the “carbon unit” crew. Kirk later listed Lieutenant Ilia, alongside her lover, Commander Will Decker (Stephen Collins), missing in action.
10 Carol Marus (Alice Eve)
Star Trek Into Darkness
Dr. Carol Marcus (Alice Eve), daughter of Admiral Alexander Marcus (Peter Weller), joined the Kelvin timeline’s USS Enterprise crew in Star Trek Into Darkness. Faking an assignment to the Enterprise, Carol conceals her identity and joins the crew as Dr. Carol Wallace. Boasting a doctorate in applied physics, specializing in advanced weaponry, Carol is significantly willing to investigate the shady irregularities despite the proximity of her familial relationship, ultimately risking her life and standing against her father in an attempt to save the Enterprise crew. Confident, capable, and quietly intellectual, Carol Marcus displays an idealistic, hopeful belief in the good intentions of others coupled with a wary, experienced distrust.
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9 Kalara (Lydia Wilson)
Star Trek Beyond
In Star Trek Beyond, Kalara (Lydia Wilson) lures the Enterprise crew to Altamid on a rescue mission. Formerly a Starfleet officer, the human Jessica Wolff was assigned to the USS Franklin under the command of Captain Balthazar Edison (Idris Elba). Wolff transforms into Kalara, an alien form, using energy transfer technology found on the planet. Part of a Starfleet ship crew-turned-bad, Kalara mirrors the movie’s protagonists and subverts the expectation of Starfleet as a force for good. Though not singularly responsible for the loss and devastation created through the original Franklin crew’s actions, Kalara is nonetheless an agent of evil and bears significant responsibility for the colossal loss.
8 Lieutenant Valeris (Kim Cattrall)
Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country
The Starship Enterprise is charged with escorting the Klingon Chancellor Gorkon (David Warner) to important peace talks on Earth in Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, following a devastating incident on the Klingon moon Praxis several months before. Learning of the mission, Lieutenant Valeris (Kim Cattrall) requests an assignment on the Enterprise and takes the helm. Mentored by Captain Spock (Leonard Nimoy) at Starfleet Academy and the first Vulcan to graduate at the top of her class, Valeris is due to succeed Spock in his role on the Enterprise at the end of the mission. However, Valeris has another agenda and participates in a conspiracy to sabotage the Klingon-Federation peace talks through assassination and political framing.
7 Donatra (Dina Meyer)
Star Trek: Nemesis
In Star Trek: Nemesis, Donatra (Dina Meyer), commander of the Romulan warbird Valdorem conspired to advance Shinzon (Tom Hardy) to Praetor of the Romulan Star Empire, Donatra’s loyalty began to waiver when she learned of his plan to commit genocide on Earth through the use of thalaron radiation. Later, Donatra fought against Shinzon’s starship, the Scimitar, aiding Captain Picard (Patrick Stewart) and the USS Enterprise-E, sending medical shuttles and aid to the Enterprise after the battle. Later, informing Picard that a friendship had formed between them, Donatra solidifies the character’s importance in multiple regards. Indicative of Romulan culture and behaviors, Donatra’s red lines forged great significance, established alliances, and saved lives.
6 Dr. Gillian Taylor (Catherine Hicks)
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (the one with the whales) introduced Dr. Gillian Taylor (Catherine Hicks) as the kindly cetacean biologist caring for two humpback whales, George and Gracie. Showing a commitment to her charges, Dr Taylor becomes frustrated by the unusually evasive Admiral James T. Kirk and Captain Spock. Though disbelieving of their claims, she nonetheless seeks their assistance when the whales are released ahead of schedule. Later insisting on returning to the future with the stolen Klingon-ship crew and the two whales, Dr Taylor proves her resolute commitment to the whales’ welfare, and boldly goes into the future facing a brand new life.
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5 Lieutenant Saavik (Robin Curtis)
Star Trek III: The Search For Spock, Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home
Lieutenant Saavik (Robin Curtis), initially played by Kirstie Alley in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, picks up the adventure in Star Trek III: The Search For Spock. Having transferred to the USS Grissom following events in the previous movie, Saavik works with David Marcus (Merrick Butrick) to study the Genesis Planet, where they find the rejuvenated but young and rapidly aging Spock. With rapid aging comes the sudden onset of Pon Farr, the Vulcan time of mating, and Saavik has little option but to help Spock through this violent ordeal. Later reunited with the Enterprise crew, Saavik assists with returning Spock to Vulcan to reunite his body and Katra.
4 Lieutenant Saavik (Kirstie Alley)
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
One of two new female characters introduced in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (with Bibi Besch as Dr. Carol Marcus), Lieutenant Saavik (Kirstie Alley) stars as a Vulcan mentored by Spock (Leonard Nimoy). Failing the infamous Kobayashi Maru command simulation near the movie’s beginning, Saavik embarks on a learning quest parallel to the Enterprise’s mission. Assigned to the Enterprise as a navigator, Saavik’s curiosity and inquisitiveness simultaneously demonstrate her Vulcan intellect and professional inexperience. With this movie the first of a multiple-part story, Alley sets up Saavik’s story arc with an approachable, emotionally invested character that serves as a comparison for an established, tested crew.
3 Dr. Carol Marcus (Bibi Besch)
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
Dr. Carol Marcus (Bibi Besch) starred in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, appearing as the noted Chief Scientist who created the Starfleet-funded life-forming Genesis Project. Alongside her scientific work, Carol Marcus was previously romantically involved with William Shatner’s Admiral Kirk (at the time a junior officer in Starfleet) and mother to their son, David Marcus (Merrick Butrick). Stationed on Regula I with the now-grown David and their team, ready to test their creation, Carol Marcus is drawn into the conflict between Kirk and the vengeance-driven augment, Khan Noonien Singh (Ricardo Montalban). Though the interruption derails the project, Carol Marcus uses the situation to unite David with his father.
2 Lily Sloane (Alfre Woodard)
Star Trek: First Contact
Lily Sloane (Alfre Woodard) starred in Star Trek: First Contact as a 21st-century human working to develop Earth’s first warp-capable spacecraft, the Phoenix. A strong and formidable character, Lily was a highly determined survivor of Earth’s World War III, somewhat jaded by her experiences. No stranger to the struggles of life’s hardships or the dark potential of others, Lily rises to meet a series of trying situations and possible foes, even verbally taking on Captain Picard (Patrick Stewart). Working mainly with Picard to overcome the Borg threat and restore the timeline, Lily’s bold actions, courage, and grounded morality are a weighty measure that establishes her remarkable character and sets the movie’s tone.
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1 Jaylah (Sofia Boutella)
Star Trek Beyond
Jaylah (Sofia Boutella) joined the Star Trek Beyond crew in 2016, working alongside the Starfleet officers in J.J. Abrams’ Kelvin-verse to defeat Krall (Idris Elba) and his followers and escape the planet Altamid. In alliance with a stranded and scattered Captain Kirk and crew, Jaylah offers up her technologically concealed ship-wreckage home, the USS Franklin. Jaylah’s innate survival instincts, effective defense systems, nerve, and proactive ingenuity highlight her formidable character and notable accomplishments. Forming friendships with Captain Kirk, whom she calls “James T.”, and Scotty (Simon Pegg), Jaylah’s past and present actions enable the Enterprise crew to salvage victory in the face of immense and utter loss. It’s a fitting finale for Jaylah to find a new home and family with Starfleet, as Jaylah emerges as the best and newest female character introduced in the Star Trek movies.
Star Trek Beyond
- Summary:
- In the Kelvin timeline of Star Trek Films, Captain James Tiberius Kirk, Spock, and the rest of the U.S.S. Enterprise crew return to fight a new enemy who puts everything they and the Federation stand for to the ultimate test. This third installment of the rebooted Star Trek films marked the 50th anniversary of the classic sci-fi franchise.
- Release Date:
- 2016-07-22
- Cast:
- Chris Pine, Idris Elba, Anton Yelchin, Karl Urban, Simon Pegg, Zachary Quinto, Shohreh Aghdashloo, Zoe Saldana, John Cho, Sofia Boutella
- Director:
- Justin Lin
- Genres:
- Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
- Rating:
- PG-13
- Writers:
- Doug Jung, Simon Pegg
- Main Genre:
- Action
- Studio:
- Paramount Pictures
- Runtime:
- 122 minutes
- Franchise:
- Star Trek
- Prequel:
- Star Trek; Star Trek Into Darkness
- Cinematographer:
- Stephen F. Windon
- Budget:
- $185 million
- Distributor :
- Paramount Pictures
Star Trek Into Darkness
- Summary:
- Star Trek Into Darkness is being billed as an “action thriller” in which the crew of the Enterprise finds an unstoppable force of terror inside Starfleet that has detonated the fleet and everything it stands for, leaving Earth in a state of crisis.Captain Kirk has a personal score to settle, and leads a manhunt to a war-zone world to capture a one man weapon of mass destruction. The crew is propelled into an epic chess game of life and death – love will be challenged, friendships will be torn apart, and sacrifices will have to be made for the only family James Kirk has left: his crew.
- Release Date:
- 2013-05-16
- Cast:
- Anton Yelchin, Karl Urban, Simon Pegg, Benedict Cumberbatch, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana, John Cho, Chris Pine
- Director:
- J.J. Abrams
- Rating:
- PG-13
- Writers:
- Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman, Damon Lindelof
- Runtime:
- 2h 12m
- Genres:
- Sci-Fi, Action, Thriller, Adventure
- Budget:
- 190 million
- Studio(s):
- Universal Pictures, Paramount Pictures
- Distributor(s):
- Paramount Pictures, Universal Pictures
- Sequel(s):
- Star Trek Beyond
- prequel(s):
- Star Trek, Star Trek 2: The Wrath of Khan, Star Trek V: The Final Frontier, Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, Star Trek: Generations, Star Trek: First Contact, Star Trek: Insurrection, Star Trek: Nemesis
- Franchise(s):
- Star Trek
Star Trek (2009)
- Director:
- J.J. Abrams
- Release Date:
- 2009-05-07
- Cast:
- Chris Pine, Zoe Saldana, Zachary Quinto, Simon Pegg
- Writers:
- Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman
- Rating:
- PG-13
- Runtime:
- 127 Minutes
- Genres:
- Sci-Fi, Action, Adventure, Thriller, Space
- Budget:
- $150 million
- Studio(s):
- Paramount Pictures
- Distributor(s):
- Paramount Pictures
- Sequel(s):
- Star Trek Into Darkness, Star Trek Beyond
- Franchise(s):
- Star Trek
