The newest live-action show in the Star Trek universe is Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, which will be a prequel to Star Trek: The Original Series. Let’s meet the cast.
Watch for Yourself
Paramount+ released a trailer introducing the new crew of the Enterprise.
Who and When
These are the voyages of the starship Enterprise under Captain Christopher Pike. To give some idea of how much time has lapsed between Star Trek: Strange New Words under Captain Christopher Pike, last seen in a wheelchair, horrendously burnt and mute in “The Menagerie” to Star Trek: The Original Series, with James T. Kirk in command, take a look at Spock and Uhura. Spock is a young science officer, not yet first officer. Nyota Uhura, who was a senior lieutenant and a department head in Star Trek: The Original Series, is only a cadet in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. From a cadet, to being commissioned an ensign, promoted to lieutenant j.g., promoted again to full lieutenant, and then eventually a department head, I’m estimating 15-20 years between SNW and TOS. She was mentioned as being the highest ranking female officer aboard the Enterprise in “Elaan of Troius.”
Familiar Names, Unfamiliar Faces
It is only logical that some of the Enterprise crew predated Jim Kirk’s command. Familiar characters played by new actors include Christopher Pike, Number One, Nurse Christine Chapel, Dr. M’Benga, and Nyota Uhura.
- Anson Mount reprises his role as Christopher Pike, which he played previously in Star Trek: Discovery. Mount played Batman in Injustice: Gods Among Us! The Movie and Black Bolt in Inhumans. Originally, Jeffrey Hunter played Pike.
- Number One was the First Officer of the Enterprise, originally played by Majel Barrett Roddenberry, now played by Rebecca Romijn ( Col. Eve Baird in The Librarians, Mystique in the X-Men franchise). “Number One” is a nickname in the British navy for a ship’s first officer. Finally we learn her name: Una Chin-Riley. Gene Roddenberry joked that the network wanted him to dump the female first officer and the guy with the ears. He said he married the one and promoted the other, as it would have been illegal to do it the other way around (at the time).
- Ethan Peck, who played Spock, the half-Vulcan, half-human science officer on Star Trek: Discovery, reprises the role on ST: SNW. Peck starred as Thomas in The Curse of Sleeping Beauty (2016). He played Andre in The Sorcerer’s Apprentice (2010).
- Nurse Christine Chapel is played by Australian actress Jess Bush, taking over the role created by Majel Barrett fifty-five years ago, Bush co-starred as Helen in the horror film Skinford: Chapter Two (2018)
- Also in Sickbay is Dr. M’Benga, a human physician trained in xenomedicine. Nigerian-born Babs Olusanmokun takes over the role created by Booker T. Bradshaw.
- Celia Rose Gooding is thrilled to take over the role of Nyota Uhura from Star Trek legend Nichelle Nichols. Uhura is only a cadet, just beginning her Starfleet career.
New Friends
“Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver and the other’s gold.” Logically, the entire crew of four hundred and thirty humans and aliens couldn’t have all predated Kirk. So we have some new friends to meet.
Hemmer, the Andorian, is played by Bruce Horak. He played Philo Farnsworth in Warehouse 13. Horak had the title role in the 2009 short Gitch.
- Melissa Navia plays navigator Erica Ortegas.
- Christina Chong plays La’an Noonien Singh. Chong played Lorna Bucket in the Dr. Who episode “A Good Man Goes to War.” She played Claudia in the vampire TV show Heirs of the Night.
MIA and Associations
There is no sign – yet – of Yeoman Colt or Chief Medical Officer Phil Boyce. Perhaps they’ll be cast later. There are already fannish rumors and discussions as to whether La’an Noonien Singh is related to Khan Noonien-Singh, or Data’s creator Dr. Noonian Soong. Perhaps she is. On the other hand, perhaps Noonien is merely a common name in the future. Also, it’s possible Una Chin-Riley might be a kinswoman of Kevin Riley.
Are you looking forward to Star Trek: Strange New Worlds?
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds debuts on Paramount + in 2022. It’s got a superb cast. Are you eager to return to the 23rd century?
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Susan Macdonald is the author of the children’s book “R is for Renaissance Faire”, as well as 26 short stories, mostly fantasy in “Alternative Truths”, “Swords and Sorceress #30”, Swords &Sorceries Vols. 1, 2, & 5, “Cat Tails” “Under Western Stars”, and “Knee-High Drummond and the Durango Kid”. Her articles have appeared on SCIFI.radio’s web site, in The Inquisitr, and in The Millington Star. She enjoys Renaissance Faires (see book above), science fiction conventions, Highland Games, and Native American pow-wows.
