'Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' Cast on Kirk's Role in Season 2 | SDCC 2022

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Anson Mount ("Christopher Pike"), Ethan Peck ("Spock"), Christina Chong ("La'an Noonien-Singh"), Celia Rose Gooding ("Nyota Uhura"), and Paul Wesley ("James T. Kirk") speak to Fandom Managing Editor Eric Goldman and Wiki Contributor Jordan.
Note: This interview was conducted prior to Nichelle Nichols passing away.
'Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' Cast on Kirk's Role in Season 2 | SDCC 2022
Managing Editor: Eric Goldman
Senior Manager of Video Production: Billy A. Patterson
Producer: Emma Fyffe
Associate Producer: Ryan O'Toole
Senior Director of Content: Max Dionne
Post-Production Supervisor: Emin Bassavand
Post-Production Coordinator: Mikołaj Kossakowski
Assistant Editor: Rebecca Castaneda

[@lowket]

Best modern Trek series period. This is the one to watch.

[@merricat3025]

Picard Season 3 was excellent. Season 1&2 sucked. Discovery was unwatchable. I really liked SNW. So happy its more like Star Trek, I will be watching season 2. Hope they dont screw it up like Discovery.

[@mlw9195]

I agree I only really like the TOS and this is the only show that holds a candle to it

[@nitroxide17]

Lower decks is decent

[@cyberhawk99]

Amen Brother!

[@RavenclawNimbus]

@@nitroxide17Lower Decks is hilarious

[@RTS907]

Strange New Worlds is a Spectacular new Trek show! Capt Pike and his crew has so much of the original feel, I hope we get a decade of this series ! 💕

[@voss0749]

At some point in the timeline Pike will become fleet captain, Kirk will get command of the enterprise and Pike's accident will happen.

[@powerbadpowerbad]

The other TREK shows ran for 7 seasons: DS9,TNG and Voyager.But,they had 26 episode seasons,grinding work,no wonder the cast says they don't remember very many episodes.I guesss with 10/11 episode season it wouldn't be much of a grind tho.

[@Roamr1720]

a decade doesnt seem like enough.

[@michaelkenwell9146]

Anson is amazing, his commitment to the role and knowing Star Trek lore is so commendable. Clearly the rest of the cast draws inspiration from him and that also helps reinforce his leadership dynamic on the show.

[@Corporations8MyBaby]

I raise a glass to the life and legacy of Nichelle Nichols. Celia said it beautifully.. she changed everything for everybody... not the least black actors. Rest in Peace Nichelle.

[@powerbadpowerbad]

Yes and let's give some credit for Roddenbery to hiring her for that ground-breaking role.

[@KristineMaitland]

​@@powerbadpowerbadyes but remember were it MLK Nichelle was not going to take the role.

[@angelonettebolden2700]

My God! Ethan's voice, sends me places!!!

[@ezridr571]

He has good genes. Gregory Peck is his grandfather.

[@philsipad]

Season two did not disappoint. A truly fun show that I looked forward to every week.

[@sfreemanoh]

The only bad thing about season 2 is that it ended.

[@RavenclawNimbus]

@@sfreemanoh On a cliffhanger at that :(

[@tpjv01]

I can’t believe I’m saying this but Ethan playing Spock is my favorite character on the series.

[@herdsire90210]

My prefs: Pike, Spock, Chapel, Una, Ortegas, M'Benga. That order. The new Kirk is not bad.

[@RavenclawNimbus]

⁠​⁠@@herdsire90210Ortegas, Chapel, and M’benga are maybe my favorites But tbh I’m not sure I can lower it down to a top three 😅

[@RavenclawNimbus]

I never personally cared too much about Spock, but I’m gonna be honest, Ethan Peck is so nice! Seeing Ethan in interviews changes how I see Spock in SNW

[@jeffreyelliott2428]

The whole reason Strange New Worlds is a success is because it appeals to the fans of the original series because it’s honoring that Star Trek. I’m glad to see Klingons are gonna look like the ones from Star Trek: The Motion Picture through Star Trek: Enterprise. Fans embraced that look even though the original Klingons were just men with darkened skin and beards. Fans don’t usually like big changes so they got NCC-1701 cheesy radar dish and all and they made it believable that this was the same ship. Love it!

[@garyneuwirth2561]

Love that Ethan is sporting the ‘Star Trek’ shirt with Japanese writing on it.

[@TheSparrowLooksUp]

I'd actually be really curious to hear Christina Chong speak more about how she developed her character. Not having a Memory Alpha page to reference could be considered a slight drawback to playing a completely new main character in a universe so thoroughly established, but she does SUCH a good job portraying a "broken" person that I would be surprised to learn it wasn't based off of something she brought to the table. I hope to see her in more stuff and can't wait to see what's next for La'an Noonien-Singh!

[@Desperado3248]

Best series due to established characters, charisma, and potential for an episodic series that go go for years.

[@samuelhendrickson7396]

I love Pike. Spock is awesome, happy to see Star Trek 5 memorabilia on his shirt!

[@kimkimkim8]

"I would like the ship to go..... now! " My new favourite command.🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@michaelclark7447]

Christina is looking STUNNING there!!!

[@MrNorcal81]

This show is a joy to watch and the cast is excellent. The last episode with Oona's trial was just outstanding.

[@pcb462]

Absolute great show and cast!

[@b1oh1]

Man, I cannot agree more with Gooding. Nichel Nichols opened the door so much wider for women and women of color in particular. This is what I love about Trek. It's the best of what humanity could be. SNW is such a great great great show.

[@ronbarton7799]

I second that emotion. And she plays the Park perfectly

[@junelipinski2025]

Nichel Nichols was by far, the smartest and sexiest woman of Star Trek in my opinion.

[@jonearley]

"A mass of conflicting impulses" Nomad. She shined in that episode. BLUE-E

[@luislaplume8261]

Celia Rose Gooding is a beautiful black woman who I don't mind seeing her naked in an erotic NC17 or R rated movie.😊

[@CaptChrispy]

I guess this was recorded in the past. Rest In Peace Nichelle Nicols

[@brandonrhea9256]

It was recorded at San Diego Comic-Con, 7 days before Nichelle passed (context: I work at Fandom and was there for the recording of this segment)

[@gyorgyor7765]

@@brandonrhea9256 thanks for the context.

[@moonstoneway2694]

So glad that the cancellation of the original Star Trek show in 1969 was not the end of this American science fiction media franchise.

[@matthewspencer5365]

They are my star trek so excited for season 2

[@richardzion1828]

Love Christina;s Accent!

[@geekgirliegirl702]

Love this show!!!! This was the Trek we have been waiting for!!!! So good and can be watched with all ages just like I watched with my Dad and then watched with my kiddos.

[@ATPFLAME]

I’m here for Paul Wesley Aka Stefan Salvatore🤣🔥😍

[@jevusstegmann5674]

Strange new worlds is my fave show right now. I keep rewatching it.

[@Khamon235]

Maybe unpopular opinion but, when SNW ends, they should cotinue the lost years of Kirk's Enterprise 5 year mission.

[@Fenril76]

This show needs more than 10 episodes per year!!

[@antmagor]

It’s funny how the guy looks more like James T Kirk out of costume than he does in costume. When I started watching the series I actually thought the actor playing Captain Pike was more Kirk than Pike.

[@CherryJuli]

I didn’t even know that show existed. So I googled it and found out it’s not available in my country legally.

[@gasaholic47]

If you can use a VPN, that might work for you.

[@penegakkeadilanpembasmikej5022]

Seriously , which country you live on ?

[@SGz_Eliminated]

Fortunately for you this is the Internet

[@TheAmerz1]

Free on KZbin

[@mcslender2965]

I would take the high seas approach. It is really good

[@chrisvockingsBite-me]

OK GREAT INTERVIEW with the cast!!!!!!!! I really love these guys what their doing with Star Trek Fandom!!!! It really show what should have been done with other Francises!!!!! What i would like to see is the Writers behind this show!!!! Their must be a huge collection of Nerds some where!!!!!

[@james9269-8n]

Im glad you all feel like I do

[@kellypidgeon4269]

Is it me or do you all agree that the characters are backwards. Anson Mount has much more natural Kirk swagger and Paul Wesley actually looks way too much like Jeffry Hunter. They're both great. I just can't help wondering.

[@joeconrad3828]

You make a good point, but I think their relative ages wouldn’t work if they were swapped. Kirk has to appear younger than Pike.

[@applejean4336]

I also thought Anson Mount was a perfect midpoint between William Shatner and Chris Pine. In other words, very Kirkish. However, I only recently gave Discovery another try (I did not like it when it premiered, but I needed something to watch between SNW episodes 😅) and was surprised to learn that Anson Mount has been playing Pike for the last 5 or 6 years, well before the current Kirk/Pike mash-up was conceived of. So I'm guessing this wasn't exactly planned.

[@CarlJohnson-kk4pr]

This One & Enterprise & Picard!!!!!! i Enjoy them ALL!!!!!

[@radhikapillai09]

Here for Paul ❤️

[@NomadSubstituteTeacher]

The fact that "Wesley" plays James T Kirk is funny.

[@Verinexa]

I know nothing about Star Treck i’m just here for Paul

[@jamiehenderson770]

Fr😊

[@NechelleP]

Stefan paul 😅

[@mrbeans2425]

Im excited for this Crossover!!!!

[@ELEKTRARE]

I am so attracted to Ethan , he is mysterious & charismatic, his deep voice turns me on for gooooood ❤😊😜

[@spockgirltrekkie8226]

You’re not the only one attracted to Ethan, I have a crush on him too. The voice, the face, the body? Dang, he’s the total package for us fangirls.

[@angeliquefumiere7803]

I love this show and Pike !

[@johnsieverssr8288]

Can't wait...

[@TheAmerz1]

Pike is more like shatner, and Kirk is Jim Carrey's Kirk!

[@MsKittyket]

Definitely Jim Carrey vibes.

[@maryknightsriders6554]

That's who he reminded me of and I couldn't place it until you said it. Jim Carrey. Great!!!

[@larrysmith2638]

No to both.

[@haryadisuryonoto1118]

Christina is very charming!

[@jefferyyoung2580]

I Lt.urura put in good people 😊

[@kmzoilus2486]

I have such a massive crush on Christina!

[@tb9k_]

She is the prettiest girl from any Star Trek series.

[@kmzoilus2486]

@@tb9k_ I think I'm gonna have to agree with you! And that accent of hers is so 🔥

[@james9269-8n]

My favorite show

[@kyleyuen245]

The girls are dressed for the red carpet, Anson mount and Paul Wesley are business casual, and Ethan is dressed like he's about to wait in line up for an autograph

[@docHOLLAday53]

I really hate to say this, but every time I see the JT Kirk in this show I think of Jim Carrey. I just can’t unsee it…

[@SFRainmaker]

I love this show. It definitely fits with long and wonderful history of Star Trek. The writers are on point and the actors do an amazing job.

[@aniwack]

I wonder if they realized that the hand mics didn't work...

[@rclines001]

The show is great. Absolutely love it. I wasn't super fond of the guy who played Kirk in season 1, but I like him better in season 2, especially after the time travel episode. The rest of the cast is spot on. My only little complaint is Spock may have a little too much emotion at this time in his life. Not a huge issue though. I did enjoy the episode where he was full human and experiencing all the emotions full force though. But yes, best Star Trek show since the older ones like DS9/TNG/Voyager went off. I wasn't a big fan of Enterprise, and Discovery is just weird.

[@roccovenezia7417]

would like to write for this show

[@cwam1701e]

I am old enough to remember TOS when it was first shown on the BBC; Kirk etc will always be my favourite ST crew; but SNW has set up its own cast of characters and I do not want Kirk in it - it doesn't need him, and it is unfair for him to overshadow the characters that have established SNW, especially Pike. I didn't particularly like how he was played in S1 anyway - and that is not because only Shatner will do; I thought Chris Pine was great. So I hope Kirk hardly appears in S2 and would be happy if he wasn't in it at all!

[@larrysmith2638]

So you've seen season 2, and how often they kept bringing back Kirk. I'm in total agreement with you. Maybe they'll leave him out of season 3. But don't bet on it.

[@hummushero9428]

Paul Wesley is Kirk? Hope he doesn’t fall off the wagon and go all Ripper, also we need Krause if we have Stefan.

[@TXpwcJunkie]

I think Paul Wesley is a good candidate for an air lock accident. Worst. Kirk. Ever.

[@ncavis]

SNW is great. I think it’s more about following the Star Trek recipe and less about the characters.

[@davidpatterson2178]

René vH 1 month ago Best Trek series

[@harryc1971]

The did Star Trek and oddly enough the fans showed up, St:Picard S03 did ST:NG and fans showed up?? Who would have thought?

[@merricat3025]

Picard Season 3 excellent i watched few days ago. Hesitant because Season 1 amd 2 were awful. Only thing i would change is getting rid of Raffii. Did not like her at all in what i watched form Season 1 and 2

[@DanBrown96]

@@merricat3025 Raffi was great in Season 3.

[@beberivera7011]

Wasn't Uhura Swahili?

[@pauldelaney5990]

Thinking back, I feel like I read she came from Kenya.

[@beano6323]

Swahili is the language of Kenya

[@indranidasgupta8982]

Swahili is the language. Kenya is the country.

[@brianlindee4397]

You mean captain Stephan Salvatore Mr vampire diaries himself

[@jefferyyoung2580]

I love Jeffrey hunter 😊

[@thomasmohr6743]

Paul Wesley looks like Jim Carrey playing Kirk

[@jimbobob36]

He’s awful

[@polocarthaigh893]

Exspecially.

[@TXpwcJunkie]

Paul Wesley is probably a fine actor in his own right however, he is no Kirk.

[@danieldickson8591]

I notice Christina Chong usually dresses quite feminine and elegant in these interviews. Perhaps compensating for how buttoned-down her character is.

[@bioshock6935]

Going by season 1 of kirk i don't like his take on him so let's wait and see how he does in season 2

[@jimbobob36]

He is a huge mistake freaking hate him

[@jamiehenderson770]

Yes give him a chance... He will be great! He is one of the most endearing actors I've ever come across.. he is very reserved here but he has a stellar personality.. and such a talented actor.

[@tsechejak7598]

Paul Wesley looks like Cpt Pike and Anson looks like Kirk! Why the switch?

[@ianhague8292]

I've got a question? Listening to the cast are they saying that they are in the kelvin time line? Because I get the impression online that it is not, but I believe it should be!! 👀

[@indranidasgupta8982]

They didn't say that... where did they say that? Can you give us a time-stamp? I know Anson was talking about Chris Pine in the Kelvin-timeline (in JJ-Trek), but I did not hear anyone in THIS video say that SNW is part of the Kelvin-timeline. SNW is in prime universe and prime timeline.

[@brianrandall7329]

This is Pike's show. Kirk should not be in it at all.

[@reason2463]

So now Kirk looks like Jim Carrey. It's gonna take some getting used to.

[@TheAmerz1]

Who also did Kirk on in living color! Check out that clip, I just commented same!

[@jefferyyoung2580]

Ok

[@lindamaclaren1866]

All right, if he's so important, give him a 3-dimensional personality, not just a cardboard superhero. And quit bringing back the kids...we want the SNW cast, not Junior Legacies.

[@richardzion1828]

Paul/s got his work cut out for him!

[@richardzion1828]

Paul.has his work cut out for him!

[@Pituqat]

Yeah, not a big fan of making the galaxy so small that everyone knows each other.

[@CaptChrispy]

They should pronounce the names of the planets they visit correctly... Tronno! 😜

[@jaymedina3142]

Christina is gorgeous! So I guess that makes me a misogynistic pig. Sue me.

[@indranidasgupta8982]

I concur. And I'm a straight woman. So no worries. I also find Celia very pretty and extremely personable.

[@RavenclawNimbus]

I never want to sound like a creep, but I find Jess Bush so attractive The lesbians seem to agree with me 😆

[@indranidasgupta8982]

@@RavenclawNimbus Well I’m straight and I think she’s gorgeous! Aesthetics are different from chemistry. Finding beauty around us is what makes our lives beautiful and worth living, right?

[@RavenclawNimbus]

​@@indranidasgupta8982 That's true! Though some people _are_ just creeps. :/

[@joejackson73]

I was enjoying watching and listening to all of these fine actors. Then here comes the victimhood reference to racism. Can't we enjoy a light-hearted and fun group interview without 'wokeism' just once? I've always loved Nichelle and her portrayal of Uhura but that was over half a century ago. Nobody is holding you back now...move on.

[@WalterBoring]

James T Kirk actor is total miscast.

[@pauldelaney5990]

Shatner "Who the hell is this? I'm Captain Kirk!!"

[@afargreencountry6324]

Reading through the comments, sorry to spoil the love-in, I don’t like the Kirk character. Pine is more Kirk than Kirk.

[@indranidasgupta8982]

Your second sentence just torpedoed your first.

[@TheRossRants]

kirk said in tos that he only ever met pike once. are they screwing that now too?

[@Riker46060]

They are in an alternate time line

[@RavenclawNimbus]

Hey, we’ll see, there are always more episodes after this. Btw, wdym by “in TOS he only ever met pike once” Are you saying that in TOS he had met Pike once before, or, that he only sees Pike once in the time of TOS, _or,_ that he’s only ever seen Pike once according to TOS’s canon?

[@Snyde70]

He's a fine actor and I enjoyed this season very much.... but I still can't get behind this casting. It's the single most iconic character in the history of the franchise and the dude is just wrong for the part. I look at Ethan and I see Spock, I look at Anson and see Pike... I have never seen Jim Kirk on this show and I'm pretty sure it's not going to happen.

[@jimbobob36]

This Kirk ruins the show - why was he cast? Little worm used car salesman face - I hope he is not in many episodes…best casting ever and then this….

[@highstepperARF]

Be nice….

[@jamiehenderson770]

🙄🙄🙄🙄

[@arnoldanderson1501]

@jimbobob36, in your humble opinion, of course!

[@richardzion1828]

There won,t be a season four if Paul's Kirk Fail's!

[@cuckoonut1208]

Anson must watch his weight though. He was correct in that dreadful Star Trek show but now he is showing some pounds.

[@ez-8238]

Pure anti-canon garbage! They already punked kirk. First 30 sec kirk is on screen he loses his ship. Great way to start off a iconic character.

[@Species5008]

Better go back and re watch that season finale bud. Kirk is human, therefore fallible, so.....

[@gasaholic47]

Oh do shut up. It does nothing of the sort.

[@ez-8238]

@@gasaholic47 oh do shut up. Yes it does.

[@ez-8238]

@@Species5008 fallible yes, lose a ship in the first 5 min of showing up... No.

[@gasaholic47]

@@ez-8238 Whatever you say. You're the ST Fandom Menace, not me. SWN is the best ST to come along in some time. Sorry it gets your knickers in a twist.

[@RomanMyshoul85]

No need to virtue signal, don't ruin it. I love uhura, love how you've play uhura but your skin color has nothing to do with your opportunities

[@jamiehenderson770]

Why does what she said bother u so much that u feel the need to post a comment downplaying her experiences.?

[@RomanMyshoul85]

@@jamiehenderson770 Your code for skin color experiences is racist. Celia Rose Gooding is a young and pretty 23 yo and from NYC, please explain these "experiences" other than being indoctrinated by leftist sociopaths. Once, you d-bags learn that you're the racists then the Star Trek of the future will exist. EQUALITY is the Star Trek paradigm and EQUITY is racism for racists sake. FYI, my comment was that she doesn't need to virtue signal. What makes you feel that you need to post a veiled racist comment

[@indranidasgupta8982]

@@RomanMyshoul85 sigh... you have no idea what her life experiences have been despite what you said. I'll just leave it there.