“People are not used to seeing a Black woman director. The majority of the time, people are excited…It’s a cool thing, but it’s also frustrating because it shouldn’t be that way.” She continued, “As soon as I see what casting breakdown is needed, I’ll ask the producers, ‘Are you open to turning this male role into a female role or this white role into a diverse role?’”
“Star Trek” has always had a diverse cast, from George Takei, who is Japanese, to Nichelle Nichols, who is African-American. And now, the popular TV series has Hanelle Culpepper, its first Black female director in the franchise’s history of more than 50 years.
For IMDB, I offer up a quick cross-section of a handful of key movies and shows — in alphabetical order — some that inspired my fascination as a little girl, some that shaped my desire to come to Hollywood and tell stories, and some that ultimately taught me how to think cinematically. All are worthwhile, and I hope you enjoy checking them out.
— Hanelle M. Culpepper
https://www.hillview798.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/hillviewlogo.jpg00adminhttps://www.hillview798.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/hillviewlogo.jpgadmin2021-03-01 20:03:422026-04-09 17:46:06IMDB Feature: Movies That Shaped Director Hanelle Culpepper
Two years ago, right about this time, pre-pandemic and pre-BLM summer, I got the call. Alex Kurtzman loved my vision and was entrusting me to guide the return of a beloved hero – Captain Picard. Today, I’m honored to be nominated for an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series for the Star Trek: Picard pilot. When I got the job, I didn’t realize that I was the first Black director and first woman director to launch any Star Trek movie or series. Why? It never crossed my mind; I was too busy thinking about the work.
The NAACP Image Awards celebrate outstanding Black achievements in film, television, music and literature. The 2021 awards are the 52nd annual awards, and the first in which Star Trek has been nominated, at least since Star Trek: Discovery premiered.
The three awards that Star Trek was nominated for are: Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series (for Hanelle Culpepper from the Star Trek: Picard episode “Remembrance”), Outstanding Animated Series (for Star Trek: Lower Decks), and Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance (Television) (for Dawnn Lewis, also from Star Trek: Lower Decks).
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“People are not used to seeing a Black woman director. The majority of the time, people are excited…It’s a cool thing, but it’s also frustrating because it shouldn’t be that way.” She continued, “As soon as I see what casting breakdown is needed, I’ll ask the producers, ‘Are you open to turning this male role into a female role or this white role into a diverse role?’”
Featuring fabulous women firsts! ‘Star Trek’ makes history with first ever Black female director: Hanelle Culpepper
“Star Trek” has always had a diverse cast, from George Takei, who is Japanese, to Nichelle Nichols, who is African-American. And now, the popular TV series has Hanelle Culpepper, its first Black female director in the franchise’s history of more than 50 years.
IMDB Feature: Movies That Shaped Director Hanelle Culpepper
For IMDB, I offer up a quick cross-section of a handful of key movies and shows — in alphabetical order — some that inspired my fascination as a little girl, some that shaped my desire to come to Hollywood and tell stories, and some that ultimately taught me how to think cinematically. All are worthwhile, and I hope you enjoy checking them out.
— Hanelle M. Culpepper
Deadline: ‘Star Trek: Picard’ Director Hanelle Culpepper On Breaking Barriers And Doing The Work – Guest Column
Two years ago, right about this time, pre-pandemic and pre-BLM summer, I got the call. Alex Kurtzman loved my vision and was entrusting me to guide the return of a beloved hero – Captain Picard. Today, I’m honored to be nominated for an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series for the Star Trek: Picard pilot. When I got the job, I didn’t realize that I was the first Black director and first woman director to launch any Star Trek movie or series. Why? It never crossed my mind; I was too busy thinking about the work.
Actor Dawnn Lewis and director Hanelle Culpepper among Star Trek nominations for NAACP Image Awards
The NAACP Image Awards celebrate outstanding Black achievements in film, television, music and literature. The 2021 awards are the 52nd annual awards, and the first in which Star Trek has been nominated, at least since Star Trek: Discovery premiered.
The three awards that Star Trek was nominated for are: Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series (for Hanelle Culpepper from the Star Trek: Picard episode “Remembrance”), Outstanding Animated Series (for Star Trek: Lower Decks), and Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance (Television) (for Dawnn Lewis, also from Star Trek: Lower Decks).