Star Trek: Discovery introduced several fun and engaging characters to the franchise's endless roster. Sonequa Martin-Green's Michael Burnham shook expectations among central characters in several ways. Doug Jones, an endlessly unique performer, brought Saru to life with his trademark physicality, delivering one of the show's best aliens. Anthony Rapp portrays Paul Stamets, a dedicated and skilled scientist fascinated by mycelium. His name and his most important scientific discovery come from a real mycologist, Paul Edward Stamets.