Star Trek: Strange New Worlds reintroduced Trekkies to many of the franchise’s most beloved characters as the prequel series more closely explored the exploits of Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount) during his time as the captain of the USS Enterprise. Joining Pike, of course, was Mr. Spock (Ethan Peck), but Celia Rose Gooding quickly became a standout on the series thanks to her performance as Nyota Uhura.
Fans have watched as Uhura grew as a character over the last three seasons, and every Trekkie knows she will eventually serve aboard the Enterprise under the command of Captain James T. Kirk (Paul Wesley). However, while Gooding admits that Uhura’s evolution will eventually match up with what the late Nichelle Nichols brought to the role beginning with Star Trek: The Original Series, they aren’t afraid to put their own unique spin on the beloved Trek icon. Gooding said (per TrekMovie.com) while attending the recent ST-NJ: TREK TO NEW JERSEY event:
“Yes, Ethan [Peck] and I talk about it all the time… I love the idea of having somebody like him to go through this journey with because Spock and Uhura are such iconic characters. And to be able to lean on him and just ask him for advice. Yeah, I think the goal is to get as close to the original iterations of these characters as possible. I think because of the nature of how much of these characters existed in The Original Series."
Gooding continued by saying in the same interview:
"I think that I have a lot more freedom to sort of let her be whoever she ends up being, and I don’t feel a need to really commit to an idea of who this character is, because she was so underutilized in The Original Series. And ultimately, yes, my goal is to get there, but I think my goal is to get there and then respectfully take it even a couple steps further.”
Lt. Uhura’s rich legacy dates all the way back to 1966 when Nichols first appeared as the character (in production order) during the Star Trek: The Original Series episode “The Corbomite Maneuver.” Meanwhile, Gooding’s time playing the character may or may not end when Strange New Worlds concludes its run after its fifth and final season. That all depends on whether Star Trek: Year One really comes to fruition or not.
What are your favorite Strange New Worlds moments/episodes featuring Gooding’s Uhura? Share your thoughts and comments with us on the Redshirts Always Die Facebook and X pages.
Live long and prosper, Trekkies!