All The Asians On Star Trek – Details, episodes & analysis

In Episode 36, we conclude our conversation with Garrett Wang. For seven seasons, he starred as Ensign Harry Kim on Star Trek: Voyager. In Part 3 of our interview, Garrett talks about the nuances of cross-cultural casting; negotiating the relative Asian-ness of Harry Kim (how "Asian" is playing the clarinet?); his very first on-camera acting role as an extra in Death Wish IV; and the heartbreaking missed opportunity to reprise the role of (a finally promoted) Harry Kim in Star Trek: Picard. 

In Episode 35, we welcome back actor Garrett Wang. For seven seasons, he starred as Ensign Harry Kim on Star Trek: Voyager -- which, at present time, makes him the Asian with the most screen time across the entire Star Trek franchise. In Part 2 of our interview, Garrett talks about some of the early struggles in his acting career -- including parental disapproval -- his personal favorite episodes of Voyager, and how, perhaps contrary to popular perception, Harry Kim was actually the "busiest" man in the Delta Quadrant.

Amanda Wong is a Vancouver-based background artist on the animated series Star Trek: Lower Decks. Her other credits include Carmen Sandiego, Rick and Morty, My Little Pony: The Movie and DC Super Hero Girls. She talks about becoming a Trekkie at 7 years old, her path to working in animation, and getting the specific nuances of Cardassian floor patterns just right. 

Christina Chong plays Lieutenant La'an Noonien-Singh, the USS Enterprise's Chief of Security, on Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. Outside of Star Trek, her acting credits include Line of Duty, Heirs of the Night, Of Kings and Prophets, Dominion, 24: Live Another Day and Black Mirror. She talks about her humble beginnings as a performer, the burden of her character's infamous ancestry, and what it means for her to be a part of the Star Trek universe.

Jacqueline Kim played the role of Ensign Demora Sulu -- daughter of Hikaru Sulu -- in the 1994 feature film Star Trek: Generations. As an actress, her other credits include Disclosure, Volcano, Xena: Warrior Princess, ER, The West Wing, Charlotte Sometimes and Advantageous, which she also co-wrote and produced. 

It's another edition of the Away Mission, in which we invite fellow Asian American fans of Star Trek to do a deep dive into an episode of their choosing. We welcome writer Michael Golamco to discuss "The Measure of a Man" from season two of Star Trek: The Next Generation. We talk about the important questions: is Data the property of Starfleet? (No.) Does Data have a soul? (Maybe.) Did Picard and Louvois get it on? (Definitely.)

Pay Chen is credited with the role of "Starfleet Psychiatrist" on Star Trek: Discovery, in the season two episode "Point of Light." Blink and you might miss her. Outside of Star Trek, Pay has over two decades of broadcast experience as a host, writer and producer — in Canada. But to some fans and friends, her five seconds of screen time on Star Trek is basically the biggest thing she's ever done. 

Usman Ally is credited with playing "U.S.S. Vengeance Officer" in the 2013 feature film Star Trek Into Darkness. He had one line... sort of. Outside of Star Trek, his credits include Veep, Nobodies, A Series of Unfortunate Events, and Suits, to name a few. He talks about working with JJ Abrams, getting fake-shot by imaginary weapons, and navigating roles as a Brown actor in Hollywood.

Sumalee Montano appeared in three episodes of Star Trek: Picard as "Marisol Asha," the mother (maybe?) of Dahj and Soji. Outside of Star Trek, Sumalee's resume has over 180 acting credits, including ER, Veep, Nashville, and Scandal, as well as a ton of voiceover roles. Most recently, she can be seen starring in her first series regular role on The Lost Symbol. 

It's another edition of the Away Mission, in which we invite fellow Asian American fans of Star Trek to do a deep dive into an episode of their choosing. We welcome Arune Singh to discuss "Tuvix" from season two of Star Trek: Voyager. We talk about the cowardice of colleagues, "Faith of the Heart," and Harry Kim's clarinet, among many other things.