Summary
Comedian Tig Notaro joined the cast ofStar Trek: Discoveryin season 2, and her dry humor made her a quick fan favorite.DiscoverybroughtStar Trekinto the era of streaming television, launching a new golden age for the franchise. Following Captain Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green) and the crew of the USS Discovery,Star Trek: Discoveryexplored many different kinds of stories throughout its five seasonsand introduced some amazing new characters to theStar Trekuniverse.
Having previously worked with Tig Notaro, Alex Kurtzman,Star Trekexecutive producer andStar Trek: Discovery’s co-creator, reached out to her and asked her to joinDiscovery’s cast. Notaro had watchedStar Trek: The Original Seriesas a child and jumped at the chance to be a part of such an iconic franchise.As Commander Jett Reno, Notaro not only got to deliver some ofDiscovery’sfunniest dialogue, but also brought a different energy to the show.Reno helped save the USS Discovery on numerous occasions. Notaro appeared in 19 ofDiscovery’s65 episodes, revealing little snippets about her character’s fascinating history along the way.
Tig Notaro’s character was originally called Denise Reno, but Notaro hated it and suggested the nickname Jett as a tribute to Joan Jett. And the character does feel more like a Jett than a Denise.
Star Trek: Discovery’s Tig Notaro Talks Season 5, Her Casting Story, And Jett Reno’s Future
Screen Rant interviews Star Trek: Discovery’s Tig Notaro about playing Commander Jett Reno and how she always gets the funniest lines.
Tig Notaro Played Jett Reno In Star Trek: Discovery
“Fine, then I’ll just follow you for the witty repartee.”
Jett Reno quickly became one ofStar Trek: Discovery’sfunniest characters, and her quips and sarcastic remarks never failed to steal a scene. After being rescued by Commander Burnham and Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount) from the crash site of the USS Hiawatha, Reno joined the USS Discovery’s crew as an engineer, often butting heads withCommander Paul Stamets (Anthony Rapp).Reno traveled with Discovery to the 32nd century and proved helpful in the investigation of the Burn and the Dark Matter Anomaly, as well as the search for the Progenitors' treasure. Reno had worked many odd jobs throughout her life, including VIP shuttle pilot, welder, bartender, and smuggler.
Tig Notaro began her entertainment career in the music industry before turning to stand-up comedy. Notaro has released numerous stand-up albums and comedy specials, written a memoir entitledI’m Just a Person, and been featured in a Showtime documentary calledKnock Knock, It’s Tig Notaro.In 2012, Notaro was diagnosed with breast cancer, and much of her work following that diagnosis reflected on her cancer journey.Notaro has also appeared in many popular television shows and films, includingThe Sarah Silverman Program,Instant Family, Transparent, Army of the Dead, We Have a Ghost,andThe Morning Show.
Notaro starred in a six-episode semi-autobiographical TV show for Amazon Prime Video calledOne Mississippi,following her character as she returns to her hometown after her mother’s death.
Will Tig Notaro Return As Jett Reno In Star Trek?
Reno could pop up in Star Trek: Starfleet Academy or another Trek project.
Despite the end ofStar Trek: Discovery,the upcoming spin-offStar Trek: Starfleet Academyleaves the door open forDiscovery’scharacters to return.Starfleet Academywill be set inDiscovery’s32nd century, and will follow several young cadets as they navigate life at the Academy.Although nothing has been confirmed regarding any returningStar Trek:Discoverycharacters, Notaro’s Jett Reno would be a perfect choice for a guest lecturer at the Academy. InDiscovery’sseries finale, Lt. Sylvia Tilly (Mary Wiseman) mentioned starting amentorship program at Starfleet Academy, and Reno would also make a fun mentor.
It remains to be seen what Jett Reno’s future holds, but Tig Notaro has said she would love to continue playing the character. Whether inStarfleet Academyor an as-yet-unannounced project,Commander Reno would be a welcome presence in anyStar Trekstory.Maybe time travel shenanigans would even allow Reno to visitStar Trek: Strange New Worldsor pop up in animated form onStar Trek: Lower Decks.This isStar Trek, after all, and anything is possible. Regardless, Tig Notaro’s Jett Reno was a great addition toStar Trek: Discoveryand theStar Trekfamily.
Star Trek: Discovery
Cast
Star Trek: Discovery is an entry in the legendary Sci-Fi franchise, set ten years before the original Star Trek series events. The show centers around Commander Michael Burnham, assigned to the USS Discovery, where the crew attempts to prevent a Klingon war while traveling through the vast reaches of space.
