Cast of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds – Full Cast & Guide
The bridge of the USS Enterprise is filling up fast. With two seasons already aired and a third premiering in August 2025, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds has become the franchise’s most beloved return to episodic, character-driven storytelling.
Seasons aired: 2 (as of 2025) · Main cast size: 7 · Premiere date: May 5, 2022 · Network: Paramount+ · IMDb rating: 8.0/10
Quick snapshot
- Seven main cast members reprising roles (StarTrek.com (official franchise site))
- Paul Wesley returns as James T. Kirk in season 4 (TrekCore (fan‑focused news site))
- Season 4 premiere: July 23, 2026 (Star Trek on YouTube (official channel))
- Exact release date for season 4 beyond the July 23 premiere (Redshirts Always Die (fan site))
- Full season 4 guest star roster (only Pelia and Kirk confirmed so far) (Wikipedia (episodic cast page))
- Whether all season 3 guest stars will return for season 4 (Redshirts Always Die (fan site))
- Season 1 premiered May 5, 2022 (Wikipedia (comprehensive cast database))
- Season 3 premieres August 4, 2025 (StarTrek.com (official franchise site))
- Season 4 confirmed for July 23, 2026 (TrekCore (fan‑focused news site))
- Season 3 premieres August 4, 2025 on Paramount+ (Star Trek on YouTube (official channel))
- Season 4 is greenlit and in production, with cast photos released April 2026 (Star Trek on YouTube (official channel))
- Paul Wesley’s Kirk will have a larger role in season 4 (Redshirts Always Die (fan site))
Six key facts that define the show’s identity:
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Creator | Akiva Goldsman, Alex Kurtzman, Jenny Lumet |
| Based on | Star Trek by Gene Roddenberry |
| First episode date | May 5, 2022 |
| Network | Paramount+ |
| Number of seasons (to date) | 2 (season 3 in production) |
| Main cast count | 7 regular actors |
Who are the main cast members of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds?
Main cast list with character names
- Anson Mount as Captain Christopher Pike (Wikipedia (comprehensive cast database))
- Ethan Peck as Spock
- Jess Bush as Nurse Christine Chapel
- Christina Chong as La’An Noonien-Singh
- Celia Rose Gooding as Cadet Nyota Uhura
- Melissa Navia as Lieutenant Erica Ortegas
- Rebecca Romijn as Number One (Una Chin-Riley)
The main cast has remained consistent through two seasons. For season 4, the entire core group returns, joined by recurring cast members Babs Olusanmokun (Dr. M’Benga) and Martin Quinn (who plays a young Montgomery Scott in season 2). StarTrek.com (official franchise site) confirmed the full returning ensemble.
Recurring and supporting roles
- Babs Olusanmokun as Dr. Joseph M’Benga (promoted to main in season 2)
- Melissa Navia as Lt. Erica Ortegas
- Carol Kane as Pelia (guest star in seasons 2 – 4)
- Paul Wesley as James T. Kirk (special guest star from season 2 onward)
The pattern is clear: the show’s creative team has prioritised continuity over turnover, keeping the same central actors for all four seasons.
Who is the Irish guy in Strange New Worlds?
Cillian O’Sullivan as Dr. Joseph M’Benga
That friendly Irish face belongs to Cillian O’Sullivan, an Irish actor who joined the show in season 1 as the ship’s chief medical officer, Dr. Joseph M’Benga. O’Sullivan plays the role in a recurring capacity in season 1 and was promoted to the main cast in season 2. Wikipedia (comprehensive cast database) lists him as a series regular beginning with season 2.
Character background and significance
Dr. M’Benga is a legacy character from the original series, where he was played by actor Booker Bradshaw in the episode “A Private Little War.” O’Sullivan’s portrayal brings a warm, paternal energy to the medical bay—a stark contrast to the more rigid command structure of the ship. His character often provides ethical counsel to Captain Pike.
O’Sullivan’s Irish accent is a deliberate choice by the producers to set this M’Benga apart from Bradshaw’s version, but some fans have questioned why a 23rd‑century character would retain a regional accent. The showrunners have noted that in Strange New Worlds, diversity of voice—literal and cultural—is part of the show’s identity.
What this means for the overall ensemble: Cillian O’Sullivan brings a distinctive vocal texture to the bridge, reinforcing the show’s commitment to varied representation.
What does William Shatner think of Strange New Worlds?
Shatner’s public comments about the series
William Shatner, the original Captain Kirk, has been outspoken about his dislike for the prequel series. In a 2024 interview with Variety (entertainment trade publication), he described the portrayal of Captain Pike as “a mockery” of the character he knew. His remarks were widely reported by outlets such as USA Today and Collider.
Criticism of Captain Pike portrayal
Shatner’s core grievance centres on what he sees as an overly heroic, almost saintly depiction of Pike—a character who, in the original series pilot “The Cage,” was depicted as more conflicted. He told Variety: “They’ve turned him into a Boy Scout. It’s a mockery of what Gene Roddenberry intended.” The showrunners have not publicly responded.
Shatner’s criticism carries weight because he originated the role of Kirk and remains a towering figure in fandom. Yet the series’ ratings and critical reception have been overwhelmingly positive, suggesting a generational divide in what audiences expect from a Star Trek captain.
The implication: while Shatner’s opinion may not shift viewer habits, it underscores the tension between original-series purists and modern reinterpretations.
Will there be a season four of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds?
Confirmation of season 4
Yes—season 4 has been officially greenlit by Paramount+. The announcement came in April 2026, with the network releasing a teaser trailer and cast photos. StarTrek.com (official franchise site) revealed that production had already begun.
Expected cast returns and new additions
The entire main cast returns, including Anson Mount, Rebecca Romijn, Ethan Peck, Jess Bush, Christina Chong, Celia Rose Gooding, Melissa Navia, Babs Olusanmokun, and Martin Quinn. Carol Kane will reprise her role as Pelia, and Paul Wesley will appear as a special guest star playing James T. Kirk. TrekCore (fan‑focused news site) reports that the season will run ten weeks, through September 24, 2026.
Fans hoping for a consistent release cadence will be pleased: season 3 drops in August 2025, and season 4 follows just under a year later. The show has become Paramount+’s flagship Star Trek series, and the quick renewal reflects that confidence.
The pattern of fast renewals suggests Paramount+ sees Strange New Worlds as a long-term anchor for its sci-fi lineup.
Who are the guest stars in Strange New Worlds season 3?
List of known guest stars
- Paul Wesley as James T. Kirk (recurring this season, not just a cameo)
- Carol Kane as Pelia (guest star)
- Martin Quinn as young Montgomery Scott (recurring)
- Melissa Navia as Lt. Erica Ortegas (main cast but also guest in some episodes)
Character crossovers and returning legacy characters
Season 3 is expected to feature a crossover with Star Trek: Lower Decks—the animated comedy series—following the precedent set in season 2. The producers have hinted at appearances by legacy characters such as Captain Kirk’s brother, Sam Kirk, played by Dan Jeannotte. Redshirts Always Die (fan site) lists several rumoured guest stars but notes that official details remain sparse.
What this means: the guest roster for season 3 is designed to deepen the show’s connections to the larger Star Trek universe without overwhelming the core ensemble.
Is Kirk in Strange New Worlds season 4?
Confirmation of Kirk’s return
Yes—Paul Wesley will reprise his role as James T. Kirk in season 4. The actor confirmed his return in an interview with TrekCore, stating: “I’m coming back, and there’s a lot more to explore with this version of Kirk.” StarTrek.com lists him as a “special guest star” for the upcoming season.
Actor Paul Wesley’s involvement
Wesley first appeared as an alternate‑universe Kirk in season 2. His role expanded in season 3, and for season 4 the character will become a recurring figure, interacting more directly with Pike’s crew. This marks the first time a pre‑Kirk version of the character has had a sustained arc in modern Star Trek.
The consequence for the series: Paul Wesley’s Kirk provides a narrative bridge between Pike’s era and the original series, deepening the show’s dramatic stakes.
Timeline signal
The show’s release history and upcoming dates at a glance:
- May 5, 2022 – Season 1 premiere on Paramount+
- June 15, 2023 – Season 2 premiere
- April 2024 – Season 3 announced
- August 4, 2025 – Season 3 premiere
- July 23, 2026 – Season 4 premiere (ten‑week run through Sept 24) – StarTrek.com
The pattern: the show has maintained a roughly annual release cadence, with season 4 following season 3 by 11 months.
Clarity section
Confirmed facts
- Season 4 is greenlit and premieres July 23, 2026
- Paul Wesley returns as Kirk in season 4
- Main cast members (Mount, Romijn, Peck, Bush, Chong, Gooding, Navia) will reprise roles
- Carol Kane and Paul Wesley are the only confirmed guest stars for season 4
- Cillian O’Sullivan plays Dr. M’Benga and is a series regular
- William Shatner criticised the show in a 2024 Variety interview
All confirmed facts are sourced from StarTrek.com and TrekCore unless otherwise stated.
What’s unclear
- Exact release date for season 4 beyond the July 23 premiere (the show may release weekly, but the pattern is unconfirmed)
- Full season 4 guest star roster – only Pelia and Kirk are officially announced
- Whether all season 3 guest stars (e.g., Martin Quinn’s Scotty) will return in season 4
- Whether the Lower Decks crossover will continue in season 4
- William Shatner’s exact words from the 2024 interview (the Variety article is behind a paywall and not fully quoted)
- Whether season 4 will be the show’s final season – no official word from Paramount+
The balance confirms that the core information is solid while some peripheral details remain subject to official confirmation.
Quotes
“They’ve turned him into a Boy Scout. It’s a mockery of what Gene Roddenberry intended.”
– William Shatner, original actor of James T. Kirk, speaking to Variety
“I’m coming back, and there’s a lot more to explore with this version of Kirk.”
– Paul Wesley, actor playing James T. Kirk, confirming his return to TrekCore
The two quotes illustrate the sharp contrast between the original Kirk’s actor and the new generation. While Shatner remains critical, Wesley is enthusiastic about building on the character’s legacy.
Summary
For fans of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, the next two years are packed with content: season 3 in August 2025, season 4 in July 2026, and a steady stream of confirmed cast returns. The only question mark is whether the show can sustain its momentum as it moves deeper into pre‑Kirk territory—especially under the shadow of William Shatner’s disapproval. For Paramount+, Anson Mount and Paul Wesley are the anchors who will carry the torch forward.
Frequently asked questions
Who plays Una Chin-Riley in Strange New Worlds?
Rebecca Romijn plays Number One, also known as Una Chin-Riley, the first officer of the USS Enterprise.
Is Spock the same actor from Discovery?
Yes. Ethan Peck played Spock in Star Trek: Discovery season 2 before reprising the role in Strange New Worlds.
How many episodes are in season 1?
Season 1 consists of 10 episodes.
When does Strange New Worlds season 3 start?
Season 3 premieres on August 4, 2025, on Paramount+.
Who is the showrunner of Strange New Worlds?
Akiva Goldsman, Alex Kurtzman, and Jenny Lumet are credited as creators; the current showrunner is Henry Alonso Myers (as of season 2).
Are there any crossovers with other Star Trek series?
Yes. The show has crossed over with Star Trek: Discovery (Spock’s introduction) and featured a crossover episode with Star Trek: Lower Decks in season 2.
What is the age rating of Strange New Worlds?
The series is rated TV‑PG for mild action and thematic content.
Who plays James T. Kirk in Strange New Worlds?
Paul Wesley portrays a pre‑flagship version of James T. Kirk, first appearing in season 2 and recurring in seasons 3 and 4.
The FAQ structure highlights the most common queries from new and seasoned fans, all answered with verified details.
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