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2 • Terre Haute Tribune-Star • June 11 - 17, 2023 A prequel series in one of sci-fi's most iconic franchises is ready to go, boldly, back to the roots of the saga. "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds" begins its 10-episode second season Thursday, June 15, on Paramount+, as it continues the exploits of the starship Enterprise when it was under the command of Capt. Christopher Pike (Anson Mount, "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness," 2022), the predecessor of the vessel's legendary later skipper, James T. Kirk (played by "The Vampire Diaries'" Paul Wesley, who reprises the recur- ring role in Season 2). Spun off from another prequel show, "Star Trek: Discovery," "Strange New Worlds" has even more in store for fans: A third season already has been ordered, ahead of the premiere of Season 2. "We have tried to harken back to some of the values and styles of the original series that got those of us who are a little older ignited on our 'Star Trek' journeys," explains executive producer Akiva Goldsman. "In doing so, we've tried to look back and interpolate some parts of the original series that might not have made it to the screen, some things that might have happened just before Jim Kirk took over the Enterprise. And, as such, some familiar faces are finding new life." Mount brought his Pike portrayal over from "Star Trek: Discovery," which also featured Ethan Peck ("In Time," 2011) as Spock and Rebecca Romijn ("X-Men," 2000) as Number One before they made the journey to "Strange New Worlds." Nurse Chapel (played by Jess Bush, "Playing For Keeps") and Ensign Uhura (Celia Rose Gooding, "Broadway Whodun- it: Escape From Camp Eerie," 2020) are among other long-familiar char- acters who make their "Strange New Worlds" presence known. The second season of "Strange New Worlds" also includes Carol Kane ("Hunters") in a recurring role. "There was something about 'Star Trek' that was so far off the radar for me," reflects "Hell on Wheels" alum Mount, who also is the character Black Bolt in the Marvel Cinemat- ic Universe. "It wasn't even on my bucket list. I just never thought I would end up captaining the En- terprise. It's insane when you think about it. And every single day I'm on the set — I'm not exaggerating — is both disbelief and a feeling of tre- mendous gratitude." A particularly intriguing crossover story is part of Season 2 of "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds," which will merge temporarily with "Star Trek: Lower Decks" ... an animated show. Franchise veteran Jonathan Frakes ("Star Trek: The Next Gen- eration") directed that story, which features the voices of Tawny New- some ("Space Force") and Jack Quaid ("The Boys") in their "Lower Decks" parts — and challenges traditional "Star Trek" boundaries by combining live action and animation. Still, Goldsman maintains that he and his staff "are, by nature, people who like coloring books, and we sort of like staying within the lines as much as we can. We're 'Star Trek' fans, so (adhering to established) canon is almost always delightfully challenging, except when it's really a pain in the a—. But within reason, we still try to skew as closely to it as possible." The adventure continues when Season 2 of "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds" premieres on Paramount+ Thursday, June 15. coverstory BY JAY BOBBIN Ethan Peck in "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds" Boldly going: 'Star Trek' prequel explores 'Strange New Worlds' again Color Page