[3] Before that, Martin-Green starred in several independent films before gaining her first recurring role, as Courtney Wells on The Good Wife.

[8][9] Martin-Green initially planned to become a psychologist before deciding in the tenth grade to pursue a career in acting.

The film focuses on her friendship and rivalry with Jessie (Louisa Krause), a privileged girl from Bethesda whose promiscuous tendencies threaten to become her undoing.

[15][16] In November 2018, it was announced Martin-Green would star in The Outside Story, opposite Brian Tyree Henry, directed by Casimir Nozkowski.

She made her television debut in 2008, appearing on NBC's Law & Order: Criminal Intent as Kiana Richmond.

In 2012, she was cast in a recurring role on The Walking Dead as Sasha, the sister of Tyreese (Chad Coleman), an original character, exclusive to the television series.

In December 2016, her role as the lead actor of Star Trek: Discovery was reported in the trade press[31] and officially confirmed by CBS All Access in April of the following year (after her Walking Dead character featured in her final regular appearance).

[32] She debuted as First Officer Michael Burnham in "The Vulcan Hello" on September 24, 2017[33] and has remained the series central character throughout the four seasons aired by 2023.

"To see a character from a [new] perspective on the starship — one who has different dynamic relationships with a captain, with subordinates, it gave us richer context.

Martin-Green was pregnant during filming of the fifth season of The Walking Dead, which she covered up by wearing thick layers of clothing and using larger guns.

[36] Since April 2016, Martin-Green has been an ambassador for Stand Up to Cancer, encouraging clinical trials, with a special emphasis on outreach in ethnically diverse communities.