Jess Bush, who plays Nurse Christine Chapel in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, recently suggested the door may not be fully closed on Chapel’s relationship with Spock. While the pair experienced what the actress called a “brutal” breakup, Bush teased to fans that “it might not be the end”.
The beloved sci-fi series has already completed filming, with its final two seasons in the can and awaiting release on Paramount+. Bush made her hopeful comments during a fan panel at the Farpoint 2026 convention, reflecting on the couple’s complicated journey and hinting at powerful Chapel-focused stories still to come.
The “Brutal” Breakup That Shocked Fans
The romantic tension between the logical Vulcan science officer and the dynamic nurse has been a central thread since the show’s first season. Their relationship progressed from a close friendship and mutual attraction to a full romance in Season 2. However, it came to a sudden, jarring halt in the series’ now-famous musical episode.
In that episode, Chapel receives a career-making opportunity to advance her medical studies. She makes the difficult choice to pursue her professional goals, but delivers the news to Spock in the most public way possible: through a breakup song performed in front of their gathered crewmates on the USS Enterprise.
Jess Bush did not hold back her own initial reaction to the scripted moment. She recalled confronting co-executive producer and episode writer Bill Wolkoff about it.
“I’ve gotta be honest, when I read the script for the musical, I was like, ‘Bill, this is brutal. Like, what?’” – Jess Bush
The actress agrees with fans who found the public and humiliating nature of the split to be harsh, openly calling it “a brutal end”. Despite the severity of that moment, the story did provide some closure for the couple in Season 3, where they reconciled as friends before moving into relationships with other people.
What “Might Not Be The End” Could Mean For Spock And Chapel
Bush’s careful tease that this “might not be the end” has sparked hope among fans invested in the “Spapel” relationship. While she did not give specific plot details, her comments suggest their story could have more chapters in the 16 remaining episodes across Seasons 4 and 5.
Canon from Star Trek: The Original Series presents a known future where Christine Chapel serves as a nurse on the Enterprise under Captain Kirk, often harboring unrequited feelings for Spock. Strange New Worlds has creatively navigated this established history by exploring a more youthful, equal, and fulfilled version of Chapel long before those events.
The series has shown a willingness to deepen character arcs that were only hinted at in the original 1960s show. This provides narrative space for Bush and Ethan Peck’s Spock to further explore their complex connection, even if it ultimately aligns with the known canon. Their dynamic has always balanced deep friendship with romantic chemistry, a foundation that could support more story.
Jess Bush Teases Powerful Chapel Episodes Are Coming
Beyond the romance, Jess Bush is excited for audiences to see Nurse Chapel step further into the spotlight as an individual. She revealed that her absolute favorite episodes portraying Chapel haven’t even aired yet.
“In terms of Nurse Chapel’s personal experience and story, there’s two episodes that’s coming up that you haven’t seen. One in season 4 and one in season 5 that were so moving and so deep for her. And challenging for me in a really great way.” – Jess Bush
This is significant because, despite Chapel’s prominence, many fans note she has not yet had a dedicated “spotlight” episode focusing primarily on her backstory, unlike other bridge crew members. Bush’s tease confirms that Chapel will finally get this deeper exploration.
The actress also reflected on her favorite episodes that have already aired, naming the musical episode for its sheer fun and ambitious scale, and the Season 3 comedy “Four-and-a-Half Vulcans” for its non-stop laughter on set.
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Navigating Legacy And Making Chapel Her Own
Stepping into the role originally played by Majel Barrett-Roddenberry, hailed as the “First Lady of Star Trek,” was a major responsibility. Bush approached it with deep respect for the legacy, watching Barrett-Roddenberry’s performances, but also with a desire to explore a younger, modern version of the character.
She worked closely with showrunners Akiva Goldsman and Henry Alonso Myers to strike a balance, honoring the essence of the original character while filling in her youthful backstory with new layers. Bush also conducted her own research, reading nursing memoirs to understand the mindset of medical professionals.
A key difference in this contemporary take is Chapel’s agency and complexity. Unlike the original series’ version often defined by her pining for Spock, the Strange New Worlds Chapel is a war veteran, a brilliant scientist in her own right, and a character whose life does not revolve solely around her romantic feelings. Bush has described her Chapel as using humor and curiosity to connect with and understand her crewmates.
The final two seasons of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds are complete. Season 4 is expected to premiere on Paramount+ later this year, while Season 5 will likely follow in 2027. With Jess Bush’s promise of deep, moving material for Chapel and her hint that more Spock and Chapel story might be possible, fans have a lot to look forward to as the series sails toward its conclusion.
