The heroes of the “Star Trek: A Strange New World” series have had various performers in the different versions of the saga produced over the years!
If there is a multiverse that is (almost) unanimous among fans, it is that of Star Trek! Since the launch of Discovery in 2017, the SF franchise has expanded with the arrival of new series Picard and Strange New Worlds, but also through animated productions like Lower Decks and Prodigy.
Determined to go “bravely ahead”, the franchise now features as one of the main showcases of the new Paramount+ platform. Evidenced by the recent announcement of a future TV movie dedicated to Section 31 with the Oscar for Best Actress Michelle Yeoh as the main headliner.
Named after the opening monologue of the original series, Strange New Worlds (Strange New Worlds, in French) is a prequel featuring a rejuvenated version of Spock, alongside Captain Christopher Pike.
Several emblematic characters from the Star Trek universe also appear in the program, like the officer in charge of communications Uhura, or the future captain Kirk.
For the most part, their appearance in the series marks the third incarnation of these characters, following their appearances in the 1966 series (and the films that grew out of it) and then in the reboot trilogy produced by JJ Abrams in the 2010s.
What have the different incarnations of these iconic franchise heroes been like? What were the different interpreters of Spock, Uhura and Pike in the different Star Trek productions? The answer is provided in the slideshow below!
Captain Pike
Paramount Pictures
Originally designed to be the hero of the original series, Christopher Pike was eventually ousted from the program in favor of Captain Kirk. Appeared in the guise of Jeffrey Hunter (left) in a pilot never aired, the latter is nevertheless seen in the double-episode The Menagerie in the form of flashbacks.
Captain Pike was also played by Bruce Greenwood (centre) in the JJ Abrams films, before the role was taken over by Anson Mount (right) in the series star trek discovery And Strange New Worlds.
Spock
Paramount Pictures
Who knows if Spock would have entered into popular culture legend if he had been played by an actor other than Leonard Nimoy. The latter also has the particularity of being the only actor retained in the cast between the rejected pilot (with Jeffrey Hunter) and the second pilot shot.
Zachary Quinto inherited the role of the semi-Vulcan in the JJ Abrams reboots, in which Leonard Nimoy also appears. Spock then appeared younger as Ethan Peck in season 2 of Star Trek Discovery, then in Strange New Worlds.
Nyota Uhura
Paramount Pictures
This emblematic character of the Star Trek universe was played by Nichelle Nichols. The late actress shared with William Shatner (Captain Kirk) the very first interracial kiss ever shown on American television, on November 22, 1968.
It is then a more action-oriented version of the character of Uhura who was embodied by Zoe Saldana in the films of JJ Abrams, while the interpretation of Celia Rose Gooding in Strange New Worlds is more faithful to the essence of the character in the original version.
Nurse Chapel
Paramount Pictures
An emblematic character, although secondary, of the original series, nurse Christine Chapel is played by Majel Barrett. Involved in an extra-marital relationship with the creator of the program Gene Roddenberry, and in order not to be recognized by studio executives, the latter appeared in the series wearing a blonde wig, credited under a pseudonym.
Australian actress Jess Bush inherits the role in the series Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.
James T. Kirk
Paramount Pictures
Emblematic captain of the USS Enterprise, James Tiberius Kirk was played by William Shatner in the original series (and the first seven films of the franchise), then by Chris Pine in the reboot trilogy produced by JJ Abrams.
The character appears in a rejuvenated version, while he is not yet captain of the ship, during the very last episode of the first season of Star Trek: Strange New Worldsin the guise of Paul Wesley.
number one
Paramount Pictures
No, you’re not dreaming: this character does indeed appear in the original series! Or at least in the rejected pilot episode, when the Enterprise was led by Captain Pike (played by Jeffrey Hunter). Majel Barrettthe future nurse Chapel, embodied this character, which has nevertheless become emblematic with fans.
Logically, Number One (real name Una Chin-Riley) appeared as Rebecca Romijn as Captain Pike’s second-in-command in Season 2 of star trek discoverythen in the series Strange New Worlds.
Joseph M’Benga
Paramount Pictures
Only appeared in a handful of episodes of the original series in the guise of Booker Bradshaw, the latter was never named and his surname was then known only to the most unconditional fans of the program.
His big comeback Strange New Worlds (camped by Babs Olusanmokun) therefore offers Doctor Joseph M’Benga the opportunity to make a name for himself as a leading character in the new Star Trek series!
Robert April
Paramount Pictures
This character only appeared in the animated series produced in the 1970s, following the success of Star Trek episodes rebroadcast on local American channels.
The first captain appointed to helm the Enterprise, Robert April was featured in the very first synopsis written by Gene Roddenberry as the program’s main hero before eventually being replaced by Christopher Pike and then Captain Kirk.
For his very first appearance in live action, Robert April is embodied in Strange New Worlds by Adrian Holmes.
T’Pring
Paramount Pictures
Known for having been the bride promised to Spock in the original seriesT’Pring was played in her very first screen appearance by Arlene Martel.
But while the Vulcan had only appeared in one episode of Star Trek, the character holds a role of greater importance in Strange New Worldsportrayed by Gia Sandhu.