The crew of Star Trek Discovery didn’t even have to travel to the Genesis planet to find their new Spock, with a casting choice that shouldn’t incur any wrath (okay, I’ll stop with the Trek puns now). Ethan Peck, grandson of classic film star Gregory Peck, will join the likes of Leonard Nimoy and Zachary Quinto in playing the Vulcan science officer of the USS Enterprise in the second season of the latest incarnation of Star Trek.
The search for Spock is over! @ethangpeck will step into the legendary role in season 2 of #StarTrekDiscovery. 🖖 #LLAP pic.twitter.com/zZpVaKZv1J
— Star Trek: Discovery (@startrekcbs) August 14, 2018
With the future of the Star Trek films in jeopardy (Chris Pine if you read this, please come back), this might be the only opportunity for fans to see one of sci-fi’s most popular characters onscreen again. Showrunner Alex Kurtzman released this statement:
“Through 52 years of television and film, a parallel universe and a mirror universe, Mr. Spock remains the only member of the original bridge crew to span every era of Star Trek. The great Leonard Nimoy, then the brilliant Zachary Quinto, brought incomparable humanity to a character forever torn between logic and emotion. We searched for months for an actor who would, like them, bring his own interpretation to the role. An actor who would, like them, effortlessly embody Spock’s greatest qualities, beyond obvious logic: empathy, intuition, compassion, confusion and yearning. Ethan Peck walked into the room inhabiting all of these qualities, aware of his daunting responsibility to Leonard, Zack and the fans, and ready to confront the challenge in the service of protecting and expanding on Spock’s legacy. In that spirit, we’re thrilled to welcome him to the family.”
Spock is not only there for fan service, serving alongside Captain Christopher Pike, who is played by new series regular Anson Mount. His father, Sarek, a major player in the story, and the lead of Discovery is Spock’s foster sibling, Michael Burnham. To have both characters appear but for Spock to never make an appearance would be difficult, and having his family present means he can be woven seamlessly into the story, especially with Pike playing such a large role in the new season.
The Star Trek family has already excitedly welcomed Peck into the fold with open arms, including this adorable photo of him with the Nimoy family:
There’s a new Spock in town! Welcome to the family Ethan!! #StarTrekDiscovery #LLAP 🖖 pic.twitter.com/SjnIC9kXoa
— Adam Nimoy (@adam_nimoy) August 14, 2018
Personally, I think Peck looks perfect for the role, and I cannot wait to see his take on a younger Spock. As a devotee of both Nimoy and Quinto, I have faith that the showrunners have once more knocked the casting out of the park and that Peck will thrill audiences in the same way that his predecessors have been making us smile for over fifty years. Live long and prosper, sir.
(image: CBS)
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