Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 3 is already set up to be a Star Trek season unlike any other, but if this guest star plays Trelane, it will be a big shift for Trek's Paramount+ era. The trailer for Strange New Worlds season 3 hints at more genre-bending shenanigans for Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount) and his USS Enterprise crew. Although Strange New Worlds only has twenty episodes under its belt, the show has already introduced a large cast of compelling characters.
In its third season, Strange New Worlds is set to introduce even more new characters and give others more screen time. After his introduction in the Strange New Worlds season 2 finale, Martin Quinn's Lt. Montgomery Scott was promoted to a series regular for season 3. It will also add a new recurring character in Cillian O'Sullivan's Dr. Roger Korby, who will eventually woo Nurse Christine Chapel (Jess Bush). One of the most interesting new additions in Strange New Worlds season 3 looks to be Rhys Darby's mystery character, who could shake up the status quo in a big way.
If Rhys Darby Plays Trelane In Strange New Worlds Season 3, It Changes Modern Star Trek
An Appearance By Trelane Would Make Strange New Worlds More Like TOS
When Rhys Darby was first announced as a guest star for Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 3, some fans speculated that he could be portraying Dr. Leonard McCoy or another Enterprise doctor. After the trailer, however, that does not seem to be the case. With his flamboyant costume and distinct hairstyle, Darby bears a striking resemblance to the powerful being known as Trelane from Star Trek: The Original Series. Trelane captured Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner) and his crew in TOS season 1, episode 18, "The Squire of Gothos."
God-like beings like Trelane popped up frequently on Star Trek: The Original Series, but Star Trek on Paramount+ has mostly stayed away from the space god trope. While Star Trek: The Next Generation's Q (John de Lancie) appeared in Star Trek: Picard, other powerful beings like the Metrons and the Organians have been conspicuously absent. Rhys Darby as Trelane (or another member of his species) would change this. Trelane could be the cause of one of Strange New Worlds season 3's more outlandish scenarios, and his presence will certainly shake up the dynamic of the show.
How Trelane Meeting Captain Pike’s Enterprise Could Work, If It Happens
There Are Several Ways Trelane Could Appear Without Risking Trek Canon
For the most part, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds has done its best to maintain Star Trek canon and avoid contradicting anything from Star Trek: The Original Series. As Captain Kirk and his crew met Trelane for the first time in "The Squire of Gothos," none of them can meet Trelane on Strange New Worlds. Still, Trelane could meet and interact with any of the other characters, including Captain Pike, Number One (Rebecca Romijn), Lt. La'an Noonien Singh (Christina Chong), and Dr. Joseph M'Benga (Babs Olusanmokun).
Considering his advanced powers, Trelane could also simply erase everyone's memories of him or reset the timeline so that his first visit never happened. Of course, all of this is moot if Rhys Darby is playing another character. He could be portraying another member of Trelane's species (who could potentially be part of the Q Continuum), which would eliminate any conflicts with established Trek canon. Either way, Darby's character looks fun, and I can't wait to see what kind of energy he brings to Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.
