EXCLUSIVE: Another Star Trek legacy character is set to appear in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 3. This is none other than Dr Roger Korby, who is set to be played by Irish-American actor Cillian O’Sullivan. The reveal of Korby’s appearance in Season 3 would be no surprise to anyone paying attention through Season 2. Dr. Korby, in particular, his future with Nurse Chapel (Jess Bush), was the focus of a major story arc.
So, how did we build up to Korby’s debut? What can we expect from the character in the upcoming season? How is he going to shake up the status quo on the Enterprise? Read on! Note that potential spoilers for Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 3 are inbound. You have been warned!
Roger Korby in Strange New Worlds
Season 2 of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds had many interesting developments regarding Nurse Chapel’s progress toward working with Dr. Roger Korby. Throughout the season, she’s seen considering and applying for a fellowship in Archaeological Medicine. This is where she will later meet Korby. If Chapel is accepted, the post would see her stationed on Vulcan for three months, temporarily ending her time on the USS Enterprise.
Not only that but the decision would affect her relationship with Spock (Ethan Peck). Back in Star Trek: The Original Series, an infatuation was often alluded to (look no further than “The Naked Time“), but Strange New Worlds takes it to the next level. Romantic tensions abound, creating a source of drama with Chapel’s dilemma on leaving the Enterprise. The relationship ends somewhat rocky when she does decide to accept the fellowship with Korby, leaving the ship behind, and temporarily boarding the USS Cayuga en route to Korby’s program.
However, things didn’t end quite so nicely. The USS Cayuga was destroyed by the Gorn Hegemony at Parnassus Beta. In the action-packed Season 2 finale, Chapel manages to help fight off the Gorn. She also aids Spock in destroying a Gorn communication tower on the planet. By the episode’s end, Chapel is back on board the Enterprise, ready to fight off the Gorn before we’re left with a dramatic cliffhanger. Exactly how they’ll handle the conclusion of the cliffhanger in Season 3 is unknown, though it is fairly obvious where it needs to go.
Wishful Thinking
As Strange New Worlds pushed forward with Nurse Chapel’s storyline, Trekkies noted Roger Korby’s absence. Taking to Twitter (X), one fan asked Executive Producer Akiva Goldsman about plans for the character. Goldsman responded with “Stand By”. Keep in mind that this interaction was in 2022. However, it essentially confirms that Korby was at least on the show’s creative minds.
Strange New Worlds Casting Reveal
While Korby’s casting is unofficial, we can now confidently say he’ll be played by Cillian O’Sullivan in the upcoming season. The actor’s presence in the season is confirmed by IMDB listings for a stunt coordinator responsible for doubling O’Sullivan across four episodes in Season 3. The team here at Trek Central also used a little social media sleuthing to ascertain that the actor’s role is set to be Roger Korby.
Not only is this a recurring role through about half of the season, but Korby seems set for some pretty cool stunt scenes as well. It’s nice that his role will be felt throughout the season, emphasizing the importance of his connection to Chapel’s story arc. Interestingly, this stunt coordinator isn’t listed until episode 2 of the season. So Chapel and Korby’s relationship may well play out on the Enterprise, complete with major Spock angst.
O’Sullivan even confirmed his own presence in Toronto, where Strange New Worlds is filmed. He posted photos and videos on his Instagram account, stating he’d been filming there for the last 5 months. You can see the post below that was posted on May 27, just days after series lead Anson Mount confirmed that the season had wrapped filming.
Where Season 3 is Heading
Season 3 of Strange New Worlds wrapped filming back in May of 2024. Whatever’s in store for arc resolutions and new characters in the upcoming season is long since laid out. Last year’s strikes may have changed the cliffhanger resolution, but the result remains the same. After the dust clears at the end of “Hegemony“, Chapel will continue with her fellowship.
Following actor Jess Bush’s social media, she was in her native Australia a lot during the filming of Season 3. If Chapel is leaving the ship for a while, then a reduced role in the season is to be expected. However, the character is slated to appear and is expected to carry main cast billing as usual. The story between Chapel and Korby isn’t long, but it’s one the series needs to tell. It also happens to end in heartbreak. How Roger Korby in Strange New Worlds ends up playing out, we’ll just have to wait and see!
The relationship drama between Chapel and Spock throughout Season 2 of Strange New Worlds is an interesting way to approach a nearly 60-year-old dynamic. We could be looking at a love triangle involving Korby, Spock, and Chapel, pushing these tensions even further. Korby eventually becomes engaged to Chapel but soon goes missing on planet Exo III. His death, as depicted in The Original Series “What Are Little Girls Made Of?” is bound to create an emotional departure for the character.
Conclusion
Season 3 of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is set to air next year, so we still have a while to wait. However, based on what the cast and crew shared throughout filming, it looks like we’re in for a fun time. I can’t wait to meet these characters again, especially after last season’s cliffhanger ending.
San Diego Comic-Con is just days away (taking place July 25-28). As the hub of all things pop culture, Paramount, of course, has a presence. So we’ll hopefully find out more about the upcoming season of Strange New Worlds. We can also expect news on other Star Trek shows, including the final season of Star Trek: Lower Decks, the upcoming Section 31 movie, and the Starfleet Academy series. Not only that, but a panel featuring discussion on Star Trek and Doctor Who may deliver some surprises! It’s set to be a fun weekend full of news and announcements, and we can’t wait to cover it all!
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds streams via Paramount+ in the United States, UK, Australia, Latin America, Brazil, South Korea (via Tving), France, Italy, Germany, Switzerland & Austria. As well as CTV Scifi / Crave in Canada, & TVNZ in New Zealand. And on SkyShowtime in the Nordics, the Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, and Central and Eastern Europe. For reviews, news, and Star Trek talk, follow Trek Central for more!
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