Kristen Stewart to play queer astronaut Sally Ride in first lead TV role
June 13, 2024Kristen Stewart is venturing into uncharted territory for her inaugural leading role in a television series.
As Deadline reported, Stewart is set to star in the limited series titled The Challenger (distinct from Luca Guadagnino’s film Challengers). In this series, Stewart will portray astronaut Sally Ride, renowned as the first American woman to journey into outer space.
Adapted from the 2023 book ‘The New Guys: The Historic Class of Astronauts That Broke Barriers and Changed the Face of Space Travel’ by Meredith E. Baby, the show will be scripted and led by Maggie Cohn (known for works like American Crime Story and The Staircase), ‘Advocate’ reports.
Image Credit: Canva
Ride was part of NASA’s 1978 space shuttle astronaut cohort, recognised as the inaugural group to break away from traditional demographics dominated by white men. Including six women, one Jewish member, one Asian American, and three Black astronauts, Ride embarked on her first space mission aboard the Challenger Space Shuttle in June 1983. She later journeyed to space once more in 1984, accumulating over 343 hours in space during her career.
Following her departure from NASA in 1987, Ride parted ways with her husband Steven Hawley the same year. In a posthumous obituary published upon her passing from pancreatic cancer in 2012, it was disclosed that Ride shared a 27-year-long relationship with professional women’s tennis player Tam O’Shaughnessy.
Producer Kyra Sedgwick outlined the extensive development process behind the show centred on the astronaut class recruited by NASA in the early 1970s, highlighting the diverse makeup of the group. The narrative also delves into the Rogers Commission’s investigation into the Challenger disaster, in which Ride was involved.
Valerie Stadler's vision of casting Kristen Stewart in the lead role culminated after a year-long effort, with Stewart captivated by the story upon reading the book. Sedgwick emphasised Stewart’s compelling pitch meetings, expressing admiration for her dedication to portraying the story of Sally Ride authentically.
Describing Stewart as one of the standout actors of her generation, Sedgwick praised her versatility in tackling various roles, including queer characters in recent projects like ‘Happiest Season’ and ‘Love Lies Bleeding,’ with upcoming roles such as portraying Susan Sontag in a biopic and directing her first film, ‘The Chronology of Water.’
Read related myGwork articles here:
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Kristen Stewart wants to see LGBTQ+ films explore topics outside of identity
Jodie Foster Is “Grateful” For Queer Trailblazer Kristen Stewart
‘Love Lies Bleeding’: A24 Drops Trailer For Kristen Stewart And Katy O’Brian’s Queer Thriller
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