NYCC 2022: Star Trek Panel Roundup
This weekend, New York Comic Con hit the “Big Apple” and brought with it a pile of trailers and news from lots of geeky shows including ‘Star Trek’. During the panel, we got new trailers for both ‘Picard’ and ‘Discovery’, along with some casting announcements. Here are the main points.
‘Star Trek: Discovery’ Season 5
Beginning with ‘Star Trek: Discovery‘, they released a “first look” at the upcoming 5th Season, introducing us to some new faces alongside the returning crew.
In season five, Captain Burnham and the crew of the U.S.S. Discovery uncover a mystery that sends them on an epic adventure across the galaxy to find an ancient power whose very existence has been deliberately hidden for centuries. But there are others on the hunt as well… dangerous foes who are desperate to claim the prize for themselves and will stop at nothing to get it.
The series stars Sonequa Martin-Green (Captain Michael Burnham), Doug Jones (Saru), Anthony Rapp (Paul Stamets), Mary Wiseman (Sylvia Tilly), Wilson Cruz (Dr. Hugh Culber), David Ajala (Cleveland “Book” Booker) and Blu del Barrio (Adira).
Callum Keith Rennie as Rayner
Joining the show in a series regular role will be Callum Keith Rennie (‘Battlestar Galactica’, ‘Man in the High Castle’, ‘Umbrella Academy’) as Rayner. Rayner is a gruff, smart Starfleet Captain who holds a clear line between commander and crew – he leads, they follow. Rayner’s all about the mission, whatever it may be, and he doesn’t do niceties along the way; his feeling is, you get the job done and apologize later. He has a storied track record of wartime success, but in times of peace he struggles. Collaboration is not his strong suit. That said, if it serves the greater good he’s willing to learn … but it won’t be easy.
Elias Toufexis as L’ak and Eve Harlow as Moll
Also joining this season are Elias Toufexis (‘The Expanse’, ‘Deus Ex: Mankind Divided’) as L’ak and Eve Harlow (‘Titans’, ‘neXt’, ‘Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’) as Moll.
Moll is a former courier turned outlaw, who is highly intelligent and dangerous, with an impressive strategic mind and a sharp wit. She goes into every situation with a clear plan and stays focused and clear-headed on her goal, even when things go awry. She’s not intimidated by Captain Burnham or the crew of the U.S.S. Discovery, and will face down anyone who stands in her way in order to get what she wants.
L’ak is a former courier turned outlaw, who is tough, impulsive and fiercely protective of his beloved partner, Moll. So long as he knows she’s safe, he doesn’t care about collateral damage or its consequences – a perspective that makes him very dangerous at times and will put him on the opposite side of Captain Burnham and the crew of the U.S.S. Discovery when they come into conflict.
‘Star Trek: Discovery‘ Season 5 will air in 2023 on Paramount+ UK and USA.
‘Star Trek: Picard’ Season 3
‘Star Trek: Picard‘ returns for its third and final season, and this last adventure brings together many of the TNG bridge crew. The series features Patrick Stewart reprising his iconic role as Jean-Luc Picard, which he played for seven seasons on ‘Star Trek: The Next Generation’, and follows this iconic character into the next chapter of his life. LeVar Burton, Michael Dorn, Jonathan Frakes, Gates McFadden, Marina Sirtis, Brent Spiner, Jeri Ryan and Michelle Hurd star alongside Patrick Stewart in the third and final season.
Joining the cast this season is Tony Award winner Amanda Plummer (‘The Fisher King’, ‘Pulp Fiction’) in a recurring role as Vadic, the mysterious alien captain of the Shrike, a warship that has set its sights on Jean-Luc Picard and his old crewmates from his days on the Enterprise. Mica Burton (‘Critical Role’, ‘Vampire: The Masquerade: L.A. by Night’) and Ashlei Sharpe Chestnut (‘Cruel Summer’) also joined in recurring roles. Ensign Sidney La Forge is played by Sharpe Chestnut and is the eldest daughter of Geordi La Forge and helmsman of the U.S.S. Titan. Ensign Alandra La Forge is played by Mica Burton, Geordi La Forge’s youngest daughter who works alongside her father.
If you’re wondering who Brent Spiner’s character will be this season, it will see him return as Lore, Data’s malevolent and self-serving “brother”. Also returning is Daniel Davis, reprising the role of Professor Moriarty from ‘Star Trek: The Next Generation’.
‘Star Trek: Picard‘ Season 3 premieres on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023, exclusively on Paramount+ in the US. The series will still premiere on Prime Video in the UK, and usually premieres the day after the USA.
