Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 3 - Cast, Story, & Everything We Know

Anticipation is high for Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 3 following season 2's nail-biting cliffhanger. Strange New Worlds season 2's finale, "Hegemony," saw Captain Pike (Anson Mount) and the crew of the USS Enterprise defy Starfleet orders to rescue Captain Marie Batel (Melanie Scrofano) and the colonists of the planet Parnassus Beta. By the end of Strange New Worlds' thrilling season 2 finale, Lt. Noonien-Singh (Christina Chong), Lt. Sam Kirk (Dan Jeannotte), Dr. M'Benga (Babs Olusanmokun), and Lt. Ortegas (Melissa Navia) are captured by the Gorn and Batel has become a host to the terrifying alien species' parasitic eggs.

When the cast of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds returns in season 3, it will be to a very different Paramount+ landscape. Star Trek: Discovery ended with season 5, passing the torch to Strange New Worlds as the flagship Star Trek series. With the franchise in a state of flux, Strange New Worlds is tasked with picking up the slack left over by the ending of several long-running series. Though reinforcements are coming soon (namely the forthcoming Starfleet Academy), Strange New Worlds season 3 will set the tone for the next phase of the beloved sci-fi universe.

Latest News On Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 3

The Show's Composer Teases Multiple Genres In Season 3

As the wait continues for the third season of the TOS era Trek show, the latest news finds the Strange New Worlds' composer teasing new genres in season 3. Composer Nami Melumad spoke openly about what's coming in the newest set of episodes, including that Strange New Worlds will continue to push boundaries by exploring new genres previously unseen in the Star Trek franchise. While revealing that there won't be another musical episode, Melumad did say that "There are very different genres in there. There will be surprises."

Star Trek is no stranger to exploring other facets of media to great effect, and season 2's "Subspace Rhapsody" was yet another in a long line of risks taken by the Paramount+ era of Trek. Though it was somewhat divisive, it shows a clear path forward for Strange New Worlds as it tries to set itself apart from 60 years of Star Trek TV and movies.

Read Melumad's full comments here:

There's not another musical episode, but it's my favorite season. I have a very high bar for Star Trek, and I really enjoyed it. There are very different genres in there. There will be surprises. It's not a musical, but there are surprises. Musically, it was also very challenging. Sometimes, we used a different ensemble, so maybe that's a hint for what's coming.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Is Also Renewed For Season 4

Expect Strange New Worlds To Help Celebrate Star Trek's 60th Anniversary

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds received an early season 4 renewal from Paramount+. Strange New Worlds season 4 won't film back-to-back like Strange New Worlds seasons 1 and 2 did. Instead, Strange New Worlds season 4 starts production in Toronto in the spring 2025. This projects Strange New Worlds season 4 to premiere on Paramount+ in 2026, which would help mark Star Trek's 60th anniversary. It's too early to tell what Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 4 will be about, but it's thrilling to know that more voyages of Captain Pike's Starship Enterprise are assured.

A Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 3 First Look Clip Released At San Diego Comic-Con

More Vulcan Comedy Is Coming Soon

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds released its first clip from season 3 at San Diego Comic-Con 2024. The humorous five-minute video showcases the entire cast of Strange New Worlds as Captain Pike, Lt. La'an Noonien-Singh, Ensign Nyota Uhura, and Nurse Christine Chapel are turned into Vulcans, to the chagrin of Lt. Spock. The footage hails from a Strange New Worlds season 3 episode directed by Jordan Canning, and it's a follow-up to her Vulcan comedy of manners, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2, episode 5, "Charades." Check out the clip below:

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 3 Production Status

The Wait For Strange New Worlds Season 3 Will Last Until 2025

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 3 will premiere on Paramount+ in 2025. Post-production and visual effects for Strange New Worlds season 3's 10 episodes are underway. Furthermore, Paramount+ will need Strange New Worlds season 3 as the centerpiece of Star Trek in its 2025 schedule. However, this doesn't stop eager audience members from hoping Strange New Worlds season 3 could split its release and drop the first episodes by the end of 2024, mainly so that they can see the resolution of Strange New Worlds season 2's cliffhanger, but this is unlikely.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 3 Cast Details

The Entire Enterprise Crew Is Returning

Though the full scope of the cast of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 3 remains unknown, it's confirmed that the entire Enterprise crew will be back again. Exclusive clips and behind-the-scenes footage have already confirmed major returns, like that of Anson Mount as Captain Christopher Pike, and he'll be joined by Rebecca Romijn as his first officer, Una Chin-Riley. Though the lives of crew members like Melissa Navia's Lt. Erica Ortegas still hangs in the balance, they'll be back. Cillian O'Sullivan has been cast as Dr. Roger Korby for season 3, Nurse Chapel's fiance.

Some major changes are happening aboard the Enterprise in season 3 as well, and Martin Quinn's Lt. Mongomery Scott is set to join the crew on a regular basis. This begins the ships slow transition over to the Captain Kirk era, but there are stil 6 in-universe years until that is supposed to happen.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Characters	Actor
Captain Christopher Pike	Anson Mount
Lt. Commander Una Chin-Riley	Rebecca Romijn
Lt. Spock	Ethan Peck
Dr. Joseph M'Benga	Babs Olusanmokun
Lt. La'an Noonien-Singh	Christina Chong
Commander Pelia	Carol Kane
Lt. Erica Ortegas	Melissa Navia
Nurse Christine Chapel	Jess Bush
Ensign Nyota Uhura	Celia Rose Gooding
Lt. Sam Kirk	Dan Jeannotte
Lt. James T. Kirk	Paul Wesley
Lt. Montgomery Scott	Martin Quinn
Dr. Roger Korby	Cillian O'Sullivan

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 3 Story Details

Expect More "Big Swings" From Strange New Worlds Season 3

As well as resolving the fate of Captain Batel and the captured Starship Enterprise crew, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds has already set up multiple storylines for season 3. One of the biggest storylines will be the arrival of Nurse Christine Chapel's (Jess Bush) fiance Roger Korby which will create new a love triangle involving Lt. Spock (Ethan Peck). Other big storylines set up in Strange New Worlds season 2 include Dr. M'Benga and his dark secrets from the Klingon War, the impending fatherhood of Lieutenant James T. Kirk (Paul Wesley), and Kirk's promotion to Commander aboard the USS Farragut.

Viewers can also expect some big genre swings to follow in the footsteps of Star Trek's first-ever musical episode and the animated crossover with Star Trek: Lower Decks. Already announced is Strange New Worlds season 3's "Hollywood murder mystery" episode directed by Jonathan Frakes. Season 3 will also be a chance to see the young Montgomery Scott learn and grow into the USS Enterprise's legendary Chief Engineer. There are still at least six years before Captain James T. Kirk takes command of the Enterprise giving Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 3 plenty of ground to cover when it returns.