These Two Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Characters Were Both Originally Played By The Same Actress

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It’s common for actors to play multiple roles in the world of Star Trek. Brent Spiner is best known as Lt. Commander Data from Star Trek: The Next Generation, working alongside Captain Picard and his crew on the EnterpriseE. But Spiner didn’t stop there – he also played Data’s villainous brother, Lore, and their creator, Doctor Noonien Soong. More recently, Star Trek: Picard* allowed him to take on another character, playing the geneticist Adam Soong. However, another actor has an even more complex history with different roles.

Though it’s a new show, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds actually takes place before the events of the original Star Trek, focusing on the adventures of the Enterprise crew before Captain Kirk commanded the ship. Fans will recognize characters like Spock, who is now played by Ethan Peck. Peck does an excellent job stepping into a role famously portrayed by Leonard Nimoy, and he understands the weight of that legacy – Nimoy was a key part of the very first Star Trek pilot. However, Spock isn’t the only character on Strange New Worlds with ties to early, unaired Star Trek concepts.

Gene Roddenberry Originally Envisioned a Very Different Kind of Star Trek

When Gene Roddenberry first created Star Trek, he aimed to make a thought-provoking science fiction series. He wanted it to explore important moral questions and promote the idea of inclusivity, rather than relying on simple action or tricks. Unfortunately, NBC wasn’t impressed with the initial pilot, called “The Cage,” and rejected it. Roddenberry revised the show, removing Spock’s green skin and eliminating two key characters, Captain Pike and Number One. Despite this, he hoped to bring them back if Star Trek became successful.

The first season’s two-part episode, “The Menagerie,” features appearances by Pike and Number One through previously recorded footage when Spock acts against orders to rescue his old captain. Although NBC wasn’t initially enthusiastic about these characters, viewers responded well to them. This led Roddenberry to find another part for Majel Barrett, who originally played Number One in both “The Cage” and “The Menagerie”—he cast her as Nurse Christine Chapel, a member of the Enterprise’s medical team with a notable connection to Spock. Chapel became a recurring character in many episodes, and her importance has been acknowledged in later installments of the franchise.

Both of Majel Barrett’s First Two Star Trek Characters Are Back and Better Than Ever

As Captain Pike takes the lead in Strange New Worlds, it makes sense that his trusted first officer is right there with him. Number One is a key character in the series, and the show delves into her history and motivations. She’s incredibly dedicated and always goes the extra mile to protect her crew, especially Pike, who often finds himself in difficult situations. Because Strange New Worlds is a prequel, the actors had to be recast from the original series, as the original performers are either no longer with us or are unable to reprise their roles. Rebecca Romijn now plays Number One, taking over for Majel Barrett, who sadly passed away in 2008. Romijn has truly made the character her own, as Barrett only appeared briefly in The Original Series.

Jess Bush, who plays Nurse Chapel in Strange New Worlds, has a different take on the role compared to the original. While she draws inspiration from Majel Barrett’s performance, her Chapel is at a different point in her life – she’s eager to experience more than just life on a starship. However, her dedication to helping others remains strong and will be central to the story as the series ends, ultimately connecting to the events of The Original Series. It’s unfortunate Majel Barrett isn’t here to see Chapel and Number One grow, but she would undoubtedly be proud of both the characters and the actors portraying them.

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2025-12-11 22:41