About “Star Trek: Lower Decks” in a few words:

Star Trek: Lower Decks is an animated series that takes place in the Star Trek universe, specifically aboard the U.S.S. Cerritos, a Starfleet vessel tasked with second-contact missions. The show focuses on the lower-ranked crew members, who perform the less glamorous duties, while their senior officers take on the more heroic missions. The series is a humorous take on the Star Trek franchise, combining sci-fi action with comedy and satire. Created by Mike McMahan, the series premiered on August 6, 2020, and has been well-received for its fresh perspective on the beloved Star Trek universe.

Meet the characters from Star Trek: Lower Decks

Beckett Mariner

Oh man, Mariner is the absolute chaotic heart of Lower Decks — rule-breaker, genius-level improviser, and the one who will absolutely jury-rig a solution out of chewing gum and sarcasm. She’s prickly, sarcastic, and secretly does care, like in a messy, “don’t make me say it” way that will make you warm up despite yourself. She’s always one step ahead of protocols but also somehow ends up in the brig more times than sensible people, which is both hilarious and kind of endearing. Also she collects weird knickknacks from away missions (and maybe a tiny ferret? possibly not), so yeah, unpredictable but loyal.

Brad Boimler

Boimler is the painfully earnest, by-the-book poster child for Starfleet anxiety — promotion-obsessed, meticulous, and somehow both adorable and exasperating. He reads every regulation like bedtime stories and dreams in bullet points, yet he will absolutely surprise you with unexpected courage when it matters. He’s socially awkward and a little self-important (okay, a lot), but also has this weirdly sincere optimism that makes you root for him even when he panics. Little fact: he cannot stop practicing his salute in reflective surfaces, and he might secretly be okay with chaos if it’s organized.

D’Vana Tendi

Tendi is pure, chaotic optimism bottled into a green lab coat — enthusiastic medical officer who loves aliens, science, and probably snacks, in that order (or maybe snacks are first, I forget). She’s kind, slightly gullible, and so thrilled by first contacts that she could cry happy tears at a new species’ handshake. Don’t let her adorable smile fool you though — she’s competent and braver than she looks, and will absolutely stab something if needed (metaphorically? maybe literally, depends on the situation). She collects souvenir phasers and has a suspiciously deep knowledge of alien fanfic, which may or may not be canon in her head.

Ensign Samanthan Rutherford

Rutherford is the cybernetic tech genius with a dry sense of humor and just enough sarcasm to cut through a coolant leak; part human, part computers, all attitude. He’s endlessly inventive — likes to mod the ship (and sometimes his hair) — and is the person you want when the warp core makes a weird noise at 0300. He’s got baggage about his augmentations (angsty and relatable, yes), but also a soft spot for retro tech and vinyl records that he insists still sound better. Also, he’s prone to wild conspiracy podcasts at full volume and will defend them passionately and inconsistently.

Captain Carol Freeman

Captain Freeman is the calm, competent, utterly exasperated commander who somehow balances Starfleet dignity with putting up with the nonsense of her crew. She’s maternal without being mushy, stern but fair, and has the exact level of tolerance that makes her the best kind of leader — decisive, practical, and secretly amused. She’s the person who will reprimand you in a way that makes you want to do better, and also the one who quietly orders coffee for the whole bridge at 0600. Little quirk: she pretends not to like karaoke but will absolutely sing a power ballad at precisely one morale event.

Commander Jack Ransom

Jack Ransom is swagger turned into a uniform — the charming, macho first officer who moonlights as a flirt, a fan of old captainly tropes, and the guy who thinks sword fighting is always an appropriate solution. He’s loud, confident, a little reckless, and has that big smile that hides a surprisingly genuine loyalty to his crew. He’ll tell you wild war stories (some true, some embellished, definitely embellished) and will insist on doing things the “classic way,” which mostly means yelling and a dramatic cape swirl if available. He likes strong coffee, weaker metaphors, and apparently owns at least three jackets with too many zippers.

T’Ana

T’Ana is prickly, blunt, and a delightfully dry presence — think sharp intellect wrapped in sarcasm, with a soft center that she refuses to discuss. She’s the sort of officer who will tell you exactly what’s wrong, then hand you a slightly judgmental cup of tea and somehow fix the problem before you can blink. There’s something delightfully mysterious about her past (vague hints, suspiciously cool necklaces), and she has an annoyingly effective way of shutting down nonsense. Oh and she has a weird hobby of knitting tactical scarves? Maybe. It’s both stoic and adorable, in a confusing way.

Lieutenant Shaxs

Shaxs is the giant, battle-hardened security officer who gives the best lectures on honor and then surprises you by quoting soft poetry at odd times. He’s intimidating as heck (massive, gruff, the kind of glare that clears holodecks), but underneath is a very particular code of ethics and a surprisingly gentle humor. He treats the crew like family — strict but protective — and will absolutely throw down to keep them safe, then brood about it for days. Also he loves small animals? Like, inexplicably loves them and talks to them in a voice that would scare a Klingon but entice a kitten.

Lieutenant Commander Andy Billups

Billups is the no-nonsense, appellate-type officer who loves procedure more than life itself (or at least that’s what he tells people). He’s efficient, a little dour, and forever the skeptic in meetings — the “we have protocols” guy who will bring three extra forms to any crisis. Yet he’s secretly sentimental (tiny desk plant, Post-it notes he pretends not to keep), and will bend a rule if it keeps someone safe, though he’ll sigh about it dramatically afterward. Fun contradiction: he hates surprises but throws excellent surprise birthday parties if someone can get him to plan one.

Ensign Barnes

Barnes is the eager, slightly awkward junior officer who wants to be useful and slightly panics while trying, which is honestly endearing. He notices weird details, asks too many questions, and will volunteer for tasks he’s barely qualified for (bravery or terrible impulse control? both). He’s earnest, chatty, and collects odd mission souvenirs that make absolutely no sense in terms of practicality but are great conversation starters. Also, he’s convinced he’s seen a ghost once (or twice), and will tell you about it between emergency drills.