Ethan Peck admits to feeling "terrified" when Star Trek: Strange New Worlds does risky episodes. Peck portrays the cool and logical Lieutenant Spock, and Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' "big swings" into various TV genres test his acting skills as the unflappable Vulcan Science Officer.
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds breaks new ground by consistently innovating new ways to present Star Trek. From Star Trek's first-ever musical episode, to comedic romps, to a Hollywood murder mystery directed by Jonathan Frakes in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 3, the show's "big swings" are a challenge for Ethan Peck to play Spock.
Ethan Peck joined Paramount+'s Peak Talk, where host Joshua Horowitz asked him whether he enjoys Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' "big swings." Peck reveals he feels "some terror" about the specific issues he encounters while playing Spock in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' experimental episodes. Read Ethan's quote below:
I think what people want to hear is a very emphatic yes. Basically, I’m terrified when I get those episodes because I’ve gotta play this very particular person [in a] very extraordinary set of circumstances. And so, when I see those scripts, I’m like, ‘Oh my gosh, how am I gonna make this work?’ There are rules to this character that were set by Leonard Nimoy and then by Zachary Quinto. And so, there is some terror, but the pace of production is so quick that there isn’t a lot of time to ruminate in that terror, or think about how things could go wrong. You really can only think about how things can go right. You just can’t think too much about it.
You can watch the full episode of Paramount+ Peak Talk with Ethan Peck below:
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 3 was the most genre-indulgent season yet. For Ethan Peck, it meant a great deal of dancing as Spock started a romance with Lt. La'an Noonien-Singh (Christina Chong), where they grew closer and more intimate as they revealed their innermost feelings through their dance lessons.
For some Star Trek fans, however, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 3 delved too far into its "big swings." Some vocal detractors felt that season 3 wasn't "Star Trek enough" in favor of wacky hijinks, with Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 3, episode 8, "Four-and-a-Half Vulcans," in particular, drawing a great deal of fan ire.
However, it's fascinating to hear how Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' "big swings" challenge Ethan Peck, who points out he plays the character on the Starship Enterprise with the most rigid set of rules, which were laid down by Leonard Nimoy and Zachary Quinto. Peck admirably finds a way to protect Spock's integrity even when the Vulcan dances and sings.
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 4, which premieres in 2026, will have more "big swings," like an episode where the Starship Enterprise's crew is turned into puppets. But no matter what terror Ethan Peck may feel, he buries it and does his job to the best of his ability, just like Spock would.
