At this year’s MCM Comic Con in London, attendees were treated to a first-of-its-kind spectacle. In a remarkable display of technology, Paramount+ orchestrated a holographic panel, bringing the stars of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds into the convention hall from thousands of miles away.
The event marked a celebration of the return of the series for a second season, which will be premiering on Paramount+ UK (and around the world) on June 15, with weekly episodes.
Fan favourites Rebecca Romijn (Una Chin-Riley), Ethan Peck (Spock), Celia Rose Gooding (Nyota Uhura), and Melissa Navia (Erica Ortegas), were beamed in as live holograms, a nod to the iconic Star Trek technology.
Read ahead for insights from Rebecca Romijn on Star Trek’s prescience, Ethan Peck’s thoughts on portraying the iconic Spock, and Melissa Navia’s dream-come-true moment with a Star Trek legend.
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is a television series that takes audiences back to the years Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount) commanded the U.S.S. Enterprise, before Captain James T. Kirk took the helm.
The upcoming season promises to push the boundaries of the franchise with a unique crossover episode that merges live-action with animation.
This special episode will feature characters from Star Trek: Lower Decks, Ensign Beckett Mariner and Ensign Brad Boimler, portrayed by Tawny Newsome and Jack Quaid, joining the U.S.S. Enterprise crew.
The episode is directed by none other than Jonathan Frakes, an actor and director well-known to fans from Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Picard.
Star Trek Beaming Into London
I’ve attended many panels and conventions over the years, and a “holographic” event sounded at first like a glorified Zoom call – but I have to admit, the effect was undeniably impressive.
Plus, the stars were able to see and hear us (and each other), so this was the closest thing to them actually being there in London, instead of in New York and LA.
Paramount+ collaborated with ARHT, a leader in live hologram technology, to pull off this immersive experience. The result was a somewhat surreal and truly unique encounter, as if the stars had stepped off the U.S.S. Enterprise and into the main stage at the ExCel.
Rebecca Romjin, who plays Number One in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, reflected on this during the panel.
She noted how the concept of ‘beaming in’ was another instance of Star Trek technology predating real-world counterparts, drawing parallels to the flip phone and tricorders.
The panel was not just a showcase of cutting-edge technology, however. It also served as a forum for the cast to share insights and create anticipation for the upcoming season.
Ethan Peck, who has the challenging task of portraying the iconic Spock, hinted at exciting developments in the second series. “I am most excited for fans to see episode 5 – keep a look out!” he urged (and then joked that the episode order may change, so… just keep a look out for all the episodes, I guess).
Melissa Navia, playing Erica Ortegas, expressed her appreciation for the fans’ dedication, acknowledging that fans rewatching the first series was the “highest compliment you can get as an actor or storyteller.”
Navia also teased that the second season would delve deeper into Ortegas’ backstory, so we’re likely to learn more about her experiences in the war.
A particularly heartwarming moment during the panel came when Navia, a self-professed Star Trek fan, shared her experience of working with Jonathan Frakes, a legend in the Star Trek franchise.
Frakes, who portrayed Commander William Riker in Star Trek: The Next Generation and has directed numerous episodes across the franchise, helmed an episode in the upcoming season.
Navia expressed her excitement about this opportunity, saying it was a thrilling experience to be on the bridge under his direction. Hearing Frakes’ voice guiding her through the scenes was not just a professional milestone, but also an exciting moment for a TNG fan.
Peck also spoke candidly about the responsibility of playing Spock, explaining the meticulous effort to adhere to the rules established by Leonard Nemoy in the original series.
Asked about his experience being part of the Star Trek franchise, Peck suggested the full impact was yet to hit him, saying, “Ask me again in 10 years. I’m so in the middle of it, so it’s hard to see the big picture.”
Speaking about the pressure to get Star Trek’s legacy characters “right”, Romjin noted that “It’s because the fans are so supportive and so uplifting.
“I’ve been a part of other franchises where I felt that similar pressure to get those characters right, and it never felt as uplifting and supportive as the Trekkie fans.”
How Can I Watch Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 2 In The UK?
The second season of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds will premiere on Thursday, June 15, exclusively on Paramount+.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JW_P3SRrExw
Unlike Season 1, where UK viewers had to wait months before the new episodes reached our side of the pond – this time, we’ll be getting them at around the same time as the US.
The standalone Paramount+ app is available on most major streaming devices and Smart TVs sold in the UK, and you can sign up either directly via the Paramount+ app/website, or via Amazon Prime Video Channels.
Prime Video Channels require an Amazon Prime subscription, and you then subscribe to Paramount+ on top of that. You will then be able to watch Paramount+ on any device that supports the Prime Video app, not just those with the Paramount+ app.
Paramount+ normally costs £6.99/month or £69.90/year in the UK, with a free 7-day trial available to everyone.
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