Star Trek Strange New Worlds Season 3: Cast, Story, Updates

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 Christopher 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. La'an Noonien-Singh (Christina Chong), Lt. Sam Kirk (Dan Jeannotte, Dr. Joseph M'Benga (Babs Olusanmokun), and Lt. Erica 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 Star Trek on Paramount+ landscape. Star Trek: Discovery will have ended with season 5, essentially passing the torch to Strange New Worlds as the flagship Star Trek on Paramount+ live-action series. Star Trek: Lower Decks also will have ended with season 5. The next Star Trek series, Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, will begin production in fall 2024. The first made-for-streaming Star Trek on Paramount+ movie, Star Trek: Section 31 starring Academy Award-winner Michelle Yeoh, is completed and awaits a Paramount+ premiere date. But it's safe to say Strange New Worlds will be the franchise's new crown jewel series, especially after the positive reception to season 2.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 3 Is Now Filming

Production started in December 2023 and is expected to last until May 2024

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 3 was ready to begin filming in May 2023, but production was halted and delayed for 7 months thanks to the dual Writer's Guild and SAG-AFTRA strikes. When the picketing was over, Strange New Worlds season 3 production finally began filming in December and is expected to last until May 2024. Producing director Chris Fisher is directing Strange New Worlds season 3's premiere, which will resolve Strange New Worlds season 2's Gorn cliffhanger. Fisher directed Strange New Worlds season 1's finale, "A Quality of Mercy," and Strange New Worlds season 2's premiere, "The Broken Circle."

Other directors lined up for Strange New Worlds season 3 are Jordan Canning, who helmed Strange New Worlds season 3, episode 2, and Dan Liu, who takes over for Strange New Worlds season 2, episode 3. Canning directed the Vulcan comedy romp Strange New Worlds season 2, episode 5, "Charades," while Liu helmed the tense Strange New Worlds season 1, episode 4, "Memento Mori," and Strange New Worlds season 2, episode 6, "Lost in Translation." In addition, Jonathan Frakes will direct a "Hollywood noir" episode of Strange New Worlds season 3 after he was lauded for directing Strange New Worlds' comedy crossover with Star Trek: Lower Decks.

When Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 3 Could Premiere On Paramount Plus

The wait for Strange New Worlds season 3 will likely last until 2025.

Realistically, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 3 probably won't premiere on Paramount+ until some time in 2025. When filming finally wraps in May 2024, post-production and visual effects for Strange New Worlds season 3's 10 episodes will take time to complete. Further, 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.

What Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 3 Could Be About

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. Scotty (Martin Quinn) also joined the cast of Strange New Worlds and could recur in season 3.

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 Noir" episode directed by Jonathan Frakes. Most excitingly for fans of Star Trek: The Original Series will 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 (William Shatner) takes command of the Starship Enterprise giving Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 3 plenty of ground to cover when it returns.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Is 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+. Although Strange New Worlds season 4 won't film back-to-back like Strange New Worlds seasons 1 and 2 did, it's possible that production for the show's fourth season could begin in late 2024 or in 2025 after a hiatus. This projects Strange New Worlds season 2 to premiere on Paramount+ in 2026, which would help mark Star Trek's 60th anniversary. Given that very little has been revealed about season 3, 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.