Star Trek & The Walking Dead Star Explains How Each Franchise's Character Would Fare In Each Other's Universe

Sonequa Martin-Green believes that one of her characters would thrive in both The Walking Dead and Star Trek. Martin-Green played Michael Burnham in Star Trek: Discovery from 2017 to 2024, which is the role that she is arguably best known for. She was also a member of The Walking Dead's cast, however, as she played Sasha Williams from 2012 to 2018. While those are her two most prominent portrayals, she additionally appeared in Space Jam: A New Legacy (2021), My Dead Friend Zoe (2024), and ABC's Once Upon a Time.

While speaking with ScreenRant's Joe Deckelmeier during her Star Trek panel at FanExpo Dallas, Martin-Green considered the legacy of her Star Trek and Walking Dead roles. In particular, Decklemeier prompted her to ponder how the two characters would fare in the other's universe. While Martin-Green admitted that she had "never heard that question before", she quickly realized that Michael would be the most successful in the crossover, despite traveling to a much more dangerous time. Check out her explanation below:

ScreenRant: I feel like Michael Burnham would approach a zombie apocalypse a lot differently than any other character in The Walking Dead, and then Sasha being in Star Trek is such a fascinating idea. How well would they do in each other's universe?

Sonequa Martin-Green: Oh, man, this is good. You're also dealing with two completely different time periods... I have never heard that question before my life. I think maybe it's easier to go back to the past? Zombies or aliens... I think Sasha would probably be so defensive against everything, and it's like, "No, no, this alien is good."

I think Michael would thrive [in The Walking Dead]. I didn't want to say it, but she'd take over. She'd be like, "So you need to be... And, of course, I'm going to... This is what we're gonna do." She knows how to be on mission, and she knows how to problem-solve and get it done. I think she'd warm up to it, but she would be highly useful.

What This Means For Star Trek's Future

A Crossover With The Walking Dead Is Not Likely

A crossover is certainly unlikely, given that Star Trek is produced by Paramount Global and The Walking Dead by AMC Studios. There has been speculation of a merger, but none has ever materialized, leaving these universes as two distinct entities. Still, it is worth considering how characters would fare in each other's worlds. Pondering the possibility of a crossover helps to reveal the underlying traits of each universe's stars and the traits needed to survive in these universes. While Walking Dead characters would likely fail given their lack of advanced technological exposure, it is an exciting thought experiment.

After all, the Star Trek and Walking Dead worlds could not be more different, especially when considering the underlying themes. The Walking Dead is a world that is devoid of much long-term hope, as every moment of life is racked with the uncomfortable notion that anyone could die at any moment. In Star Trek, the entire franchise is about hope for the future, a sense of togetherness, and the need to band together despite everything. There is one major similarity, however, in that every single member of a crew is expected to contribute greatly to the overall mission.

Our Take On Martin-Green's Star Trek And Walking Dead Ideas

She Is Certainly Right About Michael

As both crews need to rely on their team members to maintain their survival, Star Trek characters could very well thrive in the apocalypse, as Martin-Green argued. Michael, in particular, would thrive in that environment, as she is extremely intelligent, adaptable, and resilient. She could struggle with following orders in a crisis, which occurs fairly often in The Walking Dead, but her other traits could ensure that she finds a group to stand alongside her. She may not be a captain in the world of Walkers, but it would be fun to see her attempting to build her own civilization.