The highly awaited Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 3 is set to premiere on July 17, 2025, on Paramount+. The show continues the adventures of Captain Christopher Pike and his crew aboard the USS Enterprise, set a decade before the events of the original Star Trek series. With a mix of familiar faces and exciting new additions, here’s a complete breakdown of the cast and characters for the upcoming season.
Returning Main Cast Members
Anson Mount reprises his role as Captain Christopher Pike, the charismatic and compassionate leader of the USS Enterprise. Pike faces a critical challenge in season 3 as he deals with the aftermath of the Gorn attack from the season 2 finale.
Rebecca Romijn returns as Commander Una Chin-Riley (Number One), the ship’s first officer. After her legal battle in season 2, Una is now more confident in her identity as an Illyrian.
Ethan Peck continues as Spock, the half-Vulcan science officer. Season 3 explores his complicated relationships with Nurse Chapel and his Vulcan fiancée, T’Pring, while also delving into his growing friendship with James T. Kirk.
Jess Bush is back as Nurse Christine Chapel, whose romantic life takes center stage with the introduction of her future fiancé, Dr. Roger Korby (Cillian O’Sullivan).
Christina Chong returns as La’an Noonien-Singh, the security chief who must confront her traumatic past with the Gorn while navigating her feelings for James T. Kirk.
Melissa Navia reprises her role as Erica Ortegas, the witty and skilled helmsman who finally gets more action in landing missions.
Babs Olusanmokun is back as Dr. Joseph M’Benga, the ship’s chief medical officer, who faces moral dilemmas and past secrets.
Celia Rose Gooding continues as Nyota Uhura, the communications officer who grows into the confident lieutenant seen in the original series.
Martin Quinn, introduced in season 2 as Montgomery “Scotty” Scott, now becomes a series regular, bringing his engineering expertise to the Enterprise.
New and Recurring Characters
Paul Wesley returns as Lieutenant James T. Kirk, the future Starfleet captain who builds his dynamic with Spock and Uhura.
Carol Kane reprises her role as Pelia, the eccentric Lanthanite chief engineer with centuries of wisdom.
Cillian O’Sullivan joins as Dr. Roger Korby, a significant figure in Nurse Chapel’s life who will play a major role in her storyline.
Rhys Darby makes a surprise appearance as a yet-to-be-revealed legacy character, sparking fan theories about his role.
Patton Oswalt guest stars as a Vulcan security officer, adding humor and intrigue to the season.
Melanie Scrofano returns as Captain Marie Batel, Pike’s love interest, whose fate hangs in the balance after the Gorn attack.
Dan Jeannotte continues as Sam Kirk, James T. Kirk’s older brother and a science officer on the Enterprise.
What to Expect in Season 3
The season picks up immediately after the cliffhanger ending of season 2, where the Gorn captured several crew members, including La’an and Ortegas. The first episode, “Hegemony, Part II,” resolves this intense confrontation.
Season 3 continues the show’s tradition of genre-bending episodes, including a murder mystery, a romantic comedy, and even a documentary-style episode. One standout installment, “Four-and-a-Half Vulcans,” will see Pike and part of the crew temporarily transformed into Vulcans.
Filming for season 3 faced delays due to the 2023 Hollywood strikes but wrapped in May 2024. The season consists of 10 episodes, with the first two premiering on July 17, followed by weekly releases until September 11.
Fans can look forward to deeper character arcs, high-stakes space battles, and the introduction of new villains that will test the crew’s unity and resilience.
“We wanted to explore different genres while staying true to the spirit of Star Trek,” said co-showrunner Henry Alonso Myers. “Each episode feels unique, but they all contribute to the larger story of the Enterprise crew.”
Also read: Denis Villeneuve Explains Why He Will Never Direct Star Wars or Star Trek Films
With season 4 already confirmed, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds remains a cornerstone of Paramount+’s sci-fi lineup, blending nostalgia with fresh storytelling.
