THEN AND NOW: How 19 characters from 'Star Trek: The Original Series' have evolved over 56 years

Gabbi ShawSep 8, 2022, 22:45 IST

William Shatner, Chris Pine, and Paul Wesley have all played Captain Kirk.Paramount Television; Paramount Pictures; Paramount+

"Star Trek" premiered on September 8, 1966.
56 years later, "Trek" is still going strong and is still finding ways to reinvent old characters.

Captain James T. Kirk was originally played by William Shatner.

William Shatner as Captain James T. Kirk in 1967.CBS/Getty Images

Shatner was last seen in the 1994 film "Star Trek Generations."

"Star Trek Generations."Paramount Pictures

In 2009, Chris Pine took over the role. He played Kirk for three films, and counting?

"Star Trek."Paramount Pictures

In the latest "Trek" series, "Strange New Worlds," the Kirk torch was passed to "Vampire Diaries" vet Paul Wesley.

"Star Trek: Strange New Worlds."Parmaount+

Kirk's best friend and first officer Spock was originally played by Leonard Nimoy.

Leonard Nimoy as Spock in 1967.CBS/Getty Images

His last appearance in the role was the 2013 film "Star Trek Into Darkness."

"Star Trek Into Darkness."Paramount Pictures

He-costarred in the 2009 reboot and its 2013 sequel with a younger version of his character played by Zachary Quinto.

"Star Trek."Paramount Pictures

In "Star Trek: Discovery" and "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds," Ethan Peck now plays the logical Vulcan.

"Star Trek: Strange New Worlds."Paramount+

Kirk's other best friend and the Enterprise's chief medical officer Leonard "Bones" McCoy was originally played by DeForest Kelley.

DeForest Kelley as Dr. Bones McCoy in 1967.CBS/Getty Images

His last appearance in the role was the 1991 film "Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country."

"Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country."Paramount Pictures

Karl Urban played the good doctor in the reboot trilogy, beginning in 2009.

"Star Trek."Paramount Pictures

Nichelle Nichols played the Enterprise's communication officer, Nyota Uhura.

Nichelle Nicholas in an episode of "Star Trek."Paramount Television

Her last appearance was also "The Undiscovered Country."

"Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country."Paramount Pictures

In the 2009 reboot, Zoe Saldaña played Uhura.

"Star Trek."Paramount Pictures

In "Strange New Worlds," Celia Rose Gooding plays a younger version of Uhura who is still a cadet.

"Star Trek: Strange New Worlds."Paramount+

Chief engineering officer Montgomery "Scotty" Scott was played by James Doohan.

James Doohan on" Star Trek: The Original Series" in 1969.CBS/Getty Images

His last appearance was a small role in the 1994 film "Star Trek Generations."

"Star Trek: Generations."Paramount Pictures

A new generation of fans got to know Scotty through Simon Pegg's performance.

"Star Trek."Paramount Pictures

Scotty hasn't appeared fully in "Strange New Worlds," but we saw his hand and heard his voice in the season one finale.

"Star Trek: Strange New Worlds."Paramount+

Hikaru Sulu, as played by George Takei, appeared through the original series as the ship's helmsman.

George Takei as Hikaru Sulu in a "Star Trek" episode in 1968.CBS/Getty Images

Takei's last appearance as Sulu was in a 1996 episode of "Star Trek: Voyager" entitled "Flashback."

"Star Trek: Voyager."CBS

John Cho played Sulu in the rebooted film series, and gave the character a new back story.

"Star Trek."Paramount Pictures

Walter Koenig played Russian ensign Pavel Chekov. He joined in the second season of the original series.

Walter Koenig as Pavel Chekov in an episode of "Star Trek" in 1968.CBS/Getty Images

His last appearance was the character was in "Star Trek Generations" in 1994.

"Star Trek Generations."Paramount Pictures

The late Anton Yelchin took over as Chekov from 2009 to 2016.

"Star Trek."Paramount Pictures

Christine Chapel, played by Majel Barrett, worked under Dr. McCoy as a nurse.

Majel Barrett as Nurse Christine Chapel in a 1967 episode of "Star Trek."CBS/Getty Images

Barrett returned for the films "Star Trek: The Motion Picture" (1979) and "Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home" (1986).

"Star Trek: The Motion Picture."Paramount Pictures

Nurse Chapel is only mentioned in the reboot trilogy, but she has a main role in "Strange New Worlds," played by Jess Bush.

"Star Trek: Strange New Worlds."Paramount+

Yeoman Janice Rand, played by Grace Lee Whitney, only appeared in the first season of the original series.

Grace Lee Whitney in an episode of "Star Trek" in 1966.CBS/Getty Images

Whitney made her last appearance in the "Trek" universe in "Flashback," a 1996 episode of "Voyager."

"Star Trek: Voyager."Paramount Television

Bibi Besch made her debut as Carol Marcus, an old flame of Kirk's, in "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan" in 1982.

"Star Trek II: Wrath of Khan."Paramount Pictures

Alice Eve played a version of the character in the 2011 film "Star Trek Into Darkness."

"Star Trek: Into Darkness."Paramount Pictures

Booker Bradshaw played Dr. Joseph M'Benga, another doctor aboard the Enterprise, in two episodes of the original series.

Booker Bradshaw in "Star Trek."Paramount Television

Babs Olusanmokun has a starring role in "Strange New Worlds" as a younger version of the character.

"Star Trek: Strange New Worlds."Paramount+

Jeffrey Hunter and Sean Kenney played two different versions of Captain Christopher Pike, the captain of the Enterprise before Kirk.

Jeffrey Hunter and Sean Kenney in "Star Trek."Paramount Television

Bruce Greenwood played an altered version of the character in 2009's "Star Trek" and 2011's "Star Trek Into Darkness."

"Star Trek."Paramount Pictures

Anson Mount first appeared in "Star Trek: Discovery" as Captain Pike, and his portrayal was so popular that he received his own spin-off, "Strange New Worlds."

"Star Trek: Strange New Worlds."Paramount+

Captain Pike's first officer, Una Chin-Riley, or Number One, was originally portrayed by Majel Barrett.

Barrett in the un-aired "Star Trek" pilot.Paramount Television

Rebecca Romijn now plays Number One in "Strange New Worlds." She also appeared in "Discovery" alongside Mount.

"Star Trek: Strange New Worlds."Paramount+

Mark Lenard played Spock's father Sarek beginning in 1967.

"Star Trek."Paramount Television

His last filmed appearance as the character was the 1991 film "The Undiscovered Country," though he appeared in an episode of "Star Trek: The Next Generation" that same year.

"Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country."Paramount Pictures

His last filmed appearance as the character was the 1991 film "The Undiscovered Country," though he appeared in an episode of "Star Trek: The Next Generation" that same year.

Ben Cross played Sarek in the 2009 reboot.

"Star Trek."Paramount Pictures

Sarek has most recently appeared in "Discovery," as played by James Frain, starting in 2017.

"Star Trek: Discovery."Paramount+

Spock's human mother Amanda Grayson was first played by Jane Wyatt in the original series.

Jane Wyatt in "Star Trek."Paramount Television

Wyatt reprised the role for the 1986 film "The Voyage Home."

"Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home."Paramount Pictures

Winona Ryder took over the role in 2009 in "Star Trek."

"Star Trek."Paramount Pictures

Mia Kirshner played her in the prequel series "Discovery," starting in 2017.

"Star Trek: Discovery."Paramount+

Khan Noonien Singh, one of the most iconic villains in "Trek" history, debuted in an episode of the original series. He was played by Ricardo Montalban.

"Star Trek."Paramount Television

Montalban returned for the 1982 film "Wrath of Khan."

"Star Trek II: Wrath of Khan."Paramount+

Benedict Cumberbatch (controversially) played Khan in the 2011 film "Star Trek Into Darkness."

"Star Trek Into Darkness."Paramount Pictures

Arlene Martel played Spock's betrothed, T'Pring, in a 1967 episode.

Arlene Martel in "Star Trek."Paramount Television

Gia Sandhu now plays T'Pring in a recurring role on "Strange New Worlds."

"Star Trek: Strange New Worlds."Paramount+

Roger C. Carmel's Harry Mudd is another "Trek" antagonist who has lasted through the decades, appearing in two episodes of the original series and two episodes of the animated series.

"Star Trek."Paramount Television

Roger C. Carmel's Harry Mudd is another "Trek" antagonist who has lasted through the decades, appearing in two episodes of the original series and two episodes of the animated series.

"The Office" star Rainn Wilson put his own spin on Mudd in "Discovery" and "Short Treks."

"Star Trek: Discovery."Paramount+

Susan Oliver played the lone survivor of a ship crash named Vina in an episode of "Star Trek."

Susan Oliver in "Star Trek."Paramount Television

Vina appeared in "Discovery" too, as played by Melissa George.

"Star Trek: Discovery."Paramount+

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THEN AND NOW: How 19 characters from 'Star Trek: The Original Series' have evolved over 56 years

Captain James T. Kirk was originally played by William Shatner.

Shatner was last seen in the 1994 film "Star Trek Generations."

In 2009, Chris Pine took over the role. He played Kirk for three films, and counting?

In the latest "Trek" series, "Strange New Worlds," the Kirk torch was passed to "Vampire Diaries" vet Paul Wesley.

Kirk's best friend and first officer Spock was originally played by Leonard Nimoy.

His last appearance in the role was the 2013 film "Star Trek Into Darkness."

He-costarred in the 2009 reboot and its 2013 sequel with a younger version of his character played by Zachary Quinto.

In "Star Trek: Discovery" and "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds," Ethan Peck now plays the logical Vulcan.

Kirk's other best friend and the Enterprise's chief medical officer Leonard "Bones" McCoy was originally played by DeForest Kelley.

His last appearance in the role was the 1991 film "Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country."

Karl Urban played the good doctor in the reboot trilogy, beginning in 2009.

Nichelle Nichols played the Enterprise's communication officer, Nyota Uhura.

Her last appearance was also "The Undiscovered Country."

In the 2009 reboot, Zoe Saldaña played Uhura.

In "Strange New Worlds," Celia Rose Gooding plays a younger version of Uhura who is still a cadet.

Chief engineering officer Montgomery "Scotty" Scott was played by James Doohan.

His last appearance was a small role in the 1994 film "Star Trek Generations."

A new generation of fans got to know Scotty through Simon Pegg's performance.

Scotty hasn't appeared fully in "Strange New Worlds," but we saw his hand and heard his voice in the season one finale.

Hikaru Sulu, as played by George Takei, appeared through the original series as the ship's helmsman.

Takei's last appearance as Sulu was in a 1996 episode of "Star Trek: Voyager" entitled "Flashback."

John Cho played Sulu in the rebooted film series, and gave the character a new back story.

Walter Koenig played Russian ensign Pavel Chekov. He joined in the second season of the original series.

His last appearance was the character was in "Star Trek Generations" in 1994.

The late Anton Yelchin took over as Chekov from 2009 to 2016.

Christine Chapel, played by Majel Barrett, worked under Dr. McCoy as a nurse.

Barrett returned for the films "Star Trek: The Motion Picture" (1979) and "Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home" (1986).

Nurse Chapel is only mentioned in the reboot trilogy, but she has a main role in "Strange New Worlds," played by Jess Bush.

Yeoman Janice Rand, played by Grace Lee Whitney, only appeared in the first season of the original series.

Whitney made her last appearance in the "Trek" universe in "Flashback," a 1996 episode of "Voyager."

Bibi Besch made her debut as Carol Marcus, an old flame of Kirk's, in "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan" in 1982.

Alice Eve played a version of the character in the 2011 film "Star Trek Into Darkness."

Booker Bradshaw played Dr. Joseph M'Benga, another doctor aboard the Enterprise, in two episodes of the original series.

Babs Olusanmokun has a starring role in "Strange New Worlds" as a younger version of the character.

Jeffrey Hunter and Sean Kenney played two different versions of Captain Christopher Pike, the captain of the Enterprise before Kirk.

Bruce Greenwood played an altered version of the character in 2009's "Star Trek" and 2011's "Star Trek Into Darkness."

Anson Mount first appeared in "Star Trek: Discovery" as Captain Pike, and his portrayal was so popular that he received his own spin-off, "Strange New Worlds."

Captain Pike's first officer, Una Chin-Riley, or Number One, was originally portrayed by Majel Barrett.

Rebecca Romijn now plays Number One in "Strange New Worlds." She also appeared in "Discovery" alongside Mount.

Mark Lenard played Spock's father Sarek beginning in 1967.

His last filmed appearance as the character was the 1991 film "The Undiscovered Country," though he appeared in an episode of "Star Trek: The Next Generation" that same year.

Ben Cross played Sarek in the 2009 reboot.

Sarek has most recently appeared in "Discovery," as played by James Frain, starting in 2017.

Spock's human mother Amanda Grayson was first played by Jane Wyatt in the original series.

Wyatt reprised the role for the 1986 film "The Voyage Home."

Winona Ryder took over the role in 2009 in "Star Trek."

Mia Kirshner played her in the prequel series "Discovery," starting in 2017.

Khan Noonien Singh, one of the most iconic villains in "Trek" history, debuted in an episode of the original series. He was played by Ricardo Montalban.

Montalban returned for the 1982 film "Wrath of Khan."

Benedict Cumberbatch (controversially) played Khan in the 2011 film "Star Trek Into Darkness."

Arlene Martel played Spock's betrothed, T'Pring, in a 1967 episode.

Gia Sandhu now plays T'Pring in a recurring role on "Strange New Worlds."

Roger C. Carmel's Harry Mudd is another "Trek" antagonist who has lasted through the decades, appearing in two episodes of the original series and two episodes of the animated series.

"The Office" star Rainn Wilson put his own spin on Mudd in "Discovery" and "Short Treks."

Susan Oliver played the lone survivor of a ship crash named Vina in an episode of "Star Trek."

Vina appeared in "Discovery" too, as played by Melissa George.