Meet Rhys Darby’s Surprising Role as Trelane in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 3!
Who is Rhys Darby Playing in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds?
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 3 kicked off on July 17 with a two-part premiere, blending intense action and lighthearted romance. The second episode, Wedding Bell Blues, brings a surprising twist with the mischievous alien Trelane, played by Rhys Darby.
- Introduction of Rhys Darby as Trelane in Strange New Worlds
- Connection between Trelane and Spock’s complicated love life
- Background on Trelane’s origins from Star Trek: The Original Series
- Special guest appearance by John de Lancie as Trelane’s father
- Insights from the show’s co-runner on casting Rhys Darby
Rhys Darby Brings a Fresh Take to Trelane
In the episode Wedding Bell Blues, Rhys Darby plays Trelane, a powerful and playful alien who disrupts the Enterprise crew’s lives in a very unexpected way. The story revolves around Nurse Christine Chapel (Jess Bush) and Spock (Ethan Peck), whose past relationship becomes the centerpiece of Trelane’s meddling. After Christine returns to the Enterprise with a new date, Spock’s hopes for a romantic reunion are dashed—until Trelane steps in to create what seems like a magical wedding day.
Trelane, dressed in a striking blue coat, acts as a wedding planner with godlike powers, fixing problems instantly and even turning Dr. Roger Korby (Cillian O’Sullivan) into a dog to keep the chaos under control. Rhys Darby’s unique style and New Zealand accent give this classic character a contemporary and charming vibe, as noted by the show’s co-runner Henry Alonso Myers: “Rhys brought a really great contemporary approach to it. Slightly different because obviously he’s got a New Zealand accent, but he’s just got such a flair.”
A Classic Character with a New Twist
Trelane originally appeared in the 1967 Star Trek: The Original Series episode The Squire of Gothos, where he was portrayed as a childlike but powerful alien who toyed with the Enterprise crew. The new version in Strange New Worlds stays true to this playful yet dangerous nature, with a modern twist thanks to Darby’s performance.
The episode also features John de Lancie as Trelane’s father, an energy being who orders him to stop playing and return home. De Lancie is famous for his role as Q in various Star Trek series, linking these characters in a clever nod to Star Trek lore and the novel Q-Squared.
Behind the Scenes and Fan Reactions
Jess Bush, who plays Nurse Chapel, shared her amusing reaction to the episode’s wedding scene: “It was really bizarre to get married on screen before I’d been married in my own life. I was like ‘This is going to be cemented as my wedding.’”
The first two episodes of season 3 are already available on Paramount Plus, with new episodes releasing every Thursday. If you’re curious about the full backstory of Chapel and Spock’s relationship or want to see Rhys Darby’s unforgettable Trelane in action, now’s the perfect time to dive in.
For a glimpse of the musical farewell from Chapel in season 2, check out this video:
