A special video package honoring Nichelle Nichols will debut on Paramount+ next month in commemoration of Star Trek Day. Taking place on Sept. 12, the streaming platform’s third-annual event will include exclusive content for Trekkies. Per Deadline, this year’s event will include a “special video to honor the impact and influence” of Nichols, who sadly passed away at the age of 89 at the tail end of July.
Of course, Nichols is beloved among Star Trek fans for her iconic role as Lieutenant Uhura in the original television series. It’s a role that she would reprise for Star Trek: The Animated Series along with the Star Trek feature films. Uhura would even revisit the role for the fan film Star Trek: First Frontier in 2020, forever synonymous with the groundbreaking character. After her passing, Zoe Saldana, who took over the role of Uhura in the rebooted Star Trek trilogy, spoke about how important that character has been for African American women.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
“We have lost a true star- a unique artist who was ahead of her time always,” Saldana said on social media. “She’s an icon, an activist and most importantly an amazing woman- who blazed a trail that has shown so many how to see women of color in a different light. Her strive for equality was unwavering. Meeting Nichelle was truly a very special moment in my life. Her energy was infectious every time I was in her presence. She convinced me in believing that anything was achievable, if you put your heart into it.”
The Star Trek Day celebration on Paramount+ begins on Thursday, Sept. 8 at 12 p.m. at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles. Other exclusive offerings will include cast members speaking about the franchise’s newer shows that are on the streaming platform, such as Star Trek: Picard, Star Trek: Lower Decks, Star Trek: Prodigy, and Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.
Nichelle Nichols Is a Star Trek Legend
Of course, Saldana was one of many members of the Star Trek family feeling saddened about the loss of the acting legend. Her co-star and close friend George Takei had also posted a touching tribute to Nichols, looking back upon their longtime friendship and how important her contributions had been.
“I have been truly moved by the tributes and messages honoring the life and work of Nichelle Nichols, our very own Lieutenant and later Commander Uhura on Star Trek,” Takei said on Facebook. Although our original series ran only three seasons, we became bonded as the fans of our show organized, convened and ultimately pressed for movies and spin-offs of the groundbreaking show. Nichelle and I spent the following decades together as not only colleagues from the bridge of the Enterprise, but as lifelong friends."
He added, “Much has been said about what a trailblazer and role model Nichelle was for so many young Black women, who saw in her hope and promise for their own future… So while fans will miss and honor the famous actress who opened so many paths with her presence on the screen, I will also miss the dear friend who always let you know she was there to support you, to love you, and to go through this strange and wonderful life alongside you. Nichelle Nichols, you were one in a million in so many, many ways.”
