Strange New Worlds Finally Gives An Iconic Star Trek Character The Story They’ve Waited 59 Years For

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is finally giving one TOS character a new storyline that has never been fully explored. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is set in the decade before Star Trek: The Original Series and follows Captain Pike (Anson Mount) and the crew of the USS Enterprise. A spinoff of Star Trek: Discovery, the series has slowly introduced TOS characters as they come aboard the Enterprise. This has included major and minor characters like James T. Kirk, Spock, Scotty, Nurse Chapel, Harry Mudd, and Dr. M'Benga.

One of the earliest characters to join the Enterprise in Strange New Worlds is Cadet Nyota Uhura (Celia Rose Gooding). She is promoted to Ensign and becomes the Enterprise's communications officer in the first two seasons. The character was originally portrayed by Nichelle Nichols in TOS, Star Trek: The Animated Series, and six movies. Both Nichols and Uhura are considered trailblazers in TV history, but Strange New Worlds season 3 is finally setting up a long overdue story for Uhura.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Gives Uhura A Love Story After 59 Years

She Had One Of The Most Iconic Kisses In TV History

Strange New Worlds season 3 will have a romantic storyline between Uhura and Beto Ortegas (Mynor Luken), Lt. Erica Ortegas’ younger brother. The pair is shown flirting and sharing a drink in the Strange New Worlds trailer. Uhura has been shown to have growing friendships on the Enterprise, but this will be her first romantic storyline, something that has never really been done with the character.

In TV history, TOS is credited with having the first interracial kiss between Uhura and Captain Kirk (William Shatner) in season 3, episode 10 "Plato's Stepchildren." Its place in TV history is iconic and is an early example of how progressive Star Trek has always been. Uhura was hinted at having a potential romance with Scotty (James Doohan) in Star Trek V: The Final Frontier and Star Trek VI: The Voyage Home, including the two planning to go on leave together.

J.J. Abrams Star Trek Romantically Paired Uhura & Spock In An Alternate Timeline

The Kelvin Timeline Changed Some Character Dynamics

The J.J. Abrams reboot of the Star Trek movie franchise in 2009 brought in a romance between Uhura and Spock. In TOS, the pair were only ever seen as friends and colleagues. A minor exception to this is in season 1, episode 2 "Charlie X" where there is a slight flirtation as Spock (Leonard Nimoy) plays his lyre and Uhura sings along.

In the film trilogy, Uhura and Spock have an on-again-off-again relationship. While they are shown to deeply care for one another, their personalities clash. In what is referred to as the Kelvin Timeline, Spock often taps into his emotional side more frequently than other versions of the character, and this includes pursuing a romance. As a potential Star Trek 4 is still a possibility, another movie would have to address their relationship in some way.

Uhura’s Love Story Continues Strange New Worlds Defining Her Star Trek Character

Uhura Has Been Given More Of A Spotlight Than In TOS

TOS is a groundbreaking show that included having more representation on screen. Along with Uhura, this included Sulu (George Takei). Whoopi Goldberg​​​​​​​ has also credited Nichols with being the reason she asked to join the cast of Star Trek: The Next Generation. However, the show was largely focused on Kirk, Spock, and Dr. McCoy (DeForest Kelley). Spock and McCoy would often play opposite sides, the emotional and the logical, and help inform whatever decisions Kirk made.

Strange New Worlds does a better job of balancing its cast. Not only has it introduced new characters, it is also continuing the build up the stories of the legacy characters included in the show. Uhura's interpersonal relationships are given more time to develop, and she plays more of an active role on the Enterprise. Nichols' portrayal is legendary, and always will be, but it's great witnessing the character getting more of an opportunity to be involved with the crew. When Star Trek: Strange New Worlds returns for season 3, it will be exciting to see what direction her new storyline takes her.