Sadly, the photo disappeared faster than the Defiant did in "The Tholian Web."
Star Trek fans have been inundated with fantastic news over the last few days, as many actors, who have been integral to the beloved science fiction franchise, set course to celebrate 60 years of magic at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con. However, a certain alum, who last portrayed one of the saga’s most beloved characters in Discovery, just teased he is beaming back aboard for another turn as Mr. Spock’s (Ethan Peck) father — this time on Strange New Worlds?
Yes, James Frain posted a picture on Saturday, July 11, of his pointy eared character, Sarek, on Instagram, and he also wrote the following: “Haven't posted for a minute, been doing a few different things that [I’ve] been on set for, which means I can't post any of the photos that I've been taking yet 'cause of secrecy and PR and all that stuff. But one of them involved this guy. Little hint. Just tiny hint here.”
Update (Sunday, July 12): Frain's Instagram post (below) was removed faster than the USS Defiant vanished in The Original Series episode "The Tholian Web." So, I'm assuming the actor wasn't supposed to let the cat out of the bag this soon.
A little hint, indeed, Mr. Frain, and Star Trek fans everywhere thank you for it. For those who may be new to the fandom, Frain first portrayed Spock’s dad, Sarek, in season 1 of the streaming series Discovery and went on to play the beloved role in nine episodes.
Actress Mia Kirshner, who played Sarek’s human wife and Spock’s mom, Amanda, on Discovery has already returned for one episode of Strange New Worlds (“Charades”), so it’s only logical that Frain is coming back.
Frain’s version of Sarek was one of my favorite recurring characters on Discovery, which is a show I enjoyed most when Spock’s family and/or the future Strange New Worlds cast was involved in the streaming series’ storylines. However, I was a huge Frain fan way before Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount) ever took command of the USS Enterprise on Paramount+.
Frain portrayed the cold, calculating, and corrupt Monsieur Villefort in one of my favorite films of all time, The Count of Monte Cristo (2002). And who can forget his equally important role in Showtimes’ The Tudors, as Thomas Cromwell, who literally lost his head serving under the leadership and tyranny of King Henry the VIII (Jonathan Rhys Meyers).
Are you as excited as I am to learn Spock will likely reunite with Sarek in Strange New Worlds? I’m assuming he’ll show up in season 4, but Frain didn’t specify on his Instagram post, so we may have to wait until SNW’s fifth and final season.
I'd also like to point out that Frain never mentioned Strange New Worlds by name. However, are fans to believe Spock's father is returning in season 2 of Starfleet Academy? Totally illogical. Perhaps, producers have been secretly working on a new streaming series, or even a film, with Frain involved, which will be unveiled at San Diego Comic-Con. Yeah, SNW seems the logical choice for Sarek's return.
What do you think, though? Share your thoughts and comments with us about Sarek’s return on the Redshirts Always Die Facebook and X pages.
Live long and prosper, Trekkies!
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