"Found each other": When Star Trek: Discovery casts let their feelings known about filming the final season of the sci-fi franchise show

They laughed. They wept. They found one another! As Star Trek: Discovery neared its conclusion, feelings were running high among the cast and crew. In an interview with Collider that aired one year ago, involving Sonequa Martin-Green, Doug Jones, Wilson Cruz, and David Ajala, fans were given a glimpse into the personal musings of the actors who have spent years traveling starships, intergalactic politics, and very human stories in space.

According to Collider, when Doug was asked about what it was like to be at South, he replied,

"I think we had a lot of back patting today, like, you know what? We did okay. but the bitter part, of course, is obvious. No one wants to see a good thing come to an end. But the sweet part is that I think we got five seasons out of a great show, and we found each other through it all."

The cast of Star Trek: Discovery established that their time together went beyond normal workplace dynamics. Through five seasons, what began as an assembly of talented actors became something much more intimate and lasting. Their collective experience—shooting on grueling days, bouncing back through a worldwide pandemic, and seeing the franchise grow—brought them closer than they could have imagined.

Here's the entire interview for your reference:

The emotional impact of the final season of Star Trek: Discovery

From the first take to the final cut, season five of Star Trek: Discovery was a profoundly introspective journey for its stars. Sonequa Martin-Green, who led the show as Captain Michael Burnham, described the emotional impact of the last day's shoot as coming in waves—overwhelmingly, always real. As per Collider, she said,

"I got to take two different chair backs. I got to take the Burnham chair back for my cast chair. And they also gave me my producer chair as well. And then I did become executive producer for season five. So I got to take that with me as well. That's in the heart."

It wasn't so much wrapping up a TV show. The heaviness of the moment was a result of the relationships they developed over the years of working together. Martin-Green likened filming the final scenes to being "emotionally stunning," attributing it to the strong bond she had established with her co-stars and crew, who were like a second family to her.

For Jones, it wasn't so much about acting out a character—it was about coming of age with the individuals working around him. That sense brought to light the reality of the phrase "found each other." According to Collider, when he was asked whether there was any convention that had been to or a certain fan interaction that really stuck with him over time, he replied,

"There's so many, so many heartfelt stories we've heard from individuals over the years. And a lot of them that touched me the most are when you've got someone who is their Make-A-Wish Foundation gift is a trip to this convention to meet us."

A shared reality beyond the words

Throughout the video, different cast members—like Wilson Cruz (Dr. Culber) and Anthony Rapp (Paul Stamets)—discussed the more profound emotional connections formed over time.

This idea of "finding each other" became representative of their experience. As per Collider, Wilson Cruz said,

"I know for me to, to see young LGBTQ fans wearing that white uniform, you know, trying to emulate Culber in some way, you know, having young queer people saying, I want a career in medicine because you've inspired that in me."

He continued,

"And I mean, that's, that's why we do this kind of work, right? To inspire people to, to, to do better, to be better. This show, this franchise has always done that for people, but to now be the cause of someone's inspiration in that way is overwhelming."

Discovery offered a community where the uniqueness of every individual was not merely tolerated but also embraced. It's rare that big ensemble casts stay as close off-camera as Discovery did, but Discovery cast members consistently talked about how it brought them closer to truly getting one another, beyond the roles as actors, even as individuals.

The words did not just reflect sentimentality. They spoke to the way, in the wake of shared obstacles, aggressive schedules, and heavy-emotion scripts, the cast became an ever-present source of support, and it was not just among the leads that this mood existed—this feeling of connection radiated through the departments, from costumes to lights.

Cast reflections and what comes next

When asked to comment on the legacy of Discovery, the cast spoke more about their own personal development than about the franchise effect. The actors explained how the experience altered them as human beings—how they learned patience, collaboration, and listening. These were the lessons, they indicated, equal in value to the career benchmarks.

Although none of the cast guesstimated spin-offs or upcoming roles in the Star Trek universe, they did one thing clearly: the friendships they forged weren't coming to an end with the show. Collider mentions John saying,

"I haven't found that in any other franchise or show I've been in before. I decided not to take my own life because of your show. My family has been brought together because of your show. I know how to end the cycle of racism in my family because of your show."

This reminds us how much the show means to everybody. We know this when Sonequa Martin-Green added,

"We've been a part of people's families and lives. I haven't found that in any other franchise or show I've been in before. I decided not to take my own life because of your show. My family has been brought together because of your show."

They weren't merely "co-workers who got along." They became a support system that assisted one another through life's personal and professional dilemmas, and yes, they genuinely found each other.

Closing a chapter, not erasing it

As Star Trek: Discovery comes to a close in its final season, viewers are sure to sense the weight of the goodbye as much as the cast. It wasn't only the end of a science-fiction show—it was the end of an odyssey for dozens of individuals, in front of and behind the cameras. What the cast lived was more than a typical wrap experience. It was sentimental. It was authentic. It was tangible.

When they say they “found each other,” believe it. Every farewell hug, every silent glance, and every shaky voice during the interview proved it. They didn't just portray a future of unity—they lived it behind the scenes.

Also read: Star Trek: Section 31 cast and character guide - Who plays whom in the upcoming sci-fi spin-off?

Edited by Zainab Shaikh

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