“Star Trek: Discovery” has found its Spock, casting Ethan Peck in the iconic role.
The character will make his debut during the second season of the CBS All Access series, which will air in early 2019.
“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,” said executive producer Alex Kurtzman, who will take over as showrunner for the second season.
The character was most famously played by the late Leonard Nimoy in the original “Star Trek” TV series and in the first slate of movies. Zachary Quinto took on the role — with cameos by Nimoy as an older version of Spock — in the reboot of franchise: “Star Trek,” “Star Trek Into Darkness” and “Star Trek Beyond.”
“We searched for months for an actor who would, like them, bring his own interpretation to the role,” Kurtzman continued. “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.”
Season 2 of “Discovery” will be delving into a lot of “Star Trek” lore. Not only with Mr. Spock make an appearance, but Anson Mount will come aboard as Captain Christopher Pike, James T. Kirk’s predecessor as captain of the U.S.S. Enterprise. Sonequa Martin-Green’s lead character, Michael Burnham, is the adopted sister of Spock; James Frain portrayed Spock’s father, Sarek, during the first season of “Star Trek: Discovery.”
Peck has previously made appearances on CBS’ “Madam Secretary” and The CW’s “Gossip Girl.” He is also the grandson of Academy Award-winning actor Gregory Peck.
“Thanks to the Nimoy family for your open arms, warm welcome, smiling curiosity and support, for making me feel worthy, as I embrace and take into my heart the iconic half alien we know as Mr. Spock,” Peck wrote on his Twitter account. “It is an incomparable honor.”
Thanks to the Nimoy family for your open arms, warm welcome, smiling curiosity and support, for making me feel worthy, as I embrace and take into my heart the iconic half alien we know as Mr. Spock. It is an incomparable honor. 🖖🏼 #StarTrekDiscovery #LLAP pic.twitter.com/jEXG1T253Z
— Ethan Peck (@ethangpeck) August 14, 2018