Wilson Cruz, the Boricua actor who rose to prominence as Rickie Vasquez in the 1990s teen angst drama My So-Called Life, gave his fans a sneak peek of the new character he’ll be playing on CBS’ digital-only reboot of Star Trek.
Taking to Twitter, Cruz showed off the first photo of himself as Dr. Hugh Culber, a medical officer aboard the spacecraft Discovery. His role was originally announced at Comic-Con this summer where it was revealed he’ll be part of the Star Trek universe’s first gay couple with former Rent star Anthony Rapp.
Cruz himself said “I’m so proud to continue the Star Trek legacy of diversity,” in reference to the original show which broke boundaries in 1968 for showing the first interracial kiss between William Shatner and Nichelle Nichols. For a Latino actor, getting cast as a doctor, a gay man, or a space explorer is a rarity, but to have all three in one role is truly groundbreaking.
It’s unknown in which episode Cruz debuts on Star Trek: Discovery which premiered on the CBS: All Access app last Sunday.