'Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' Season 2: Rebecca Romijn and Anson Mount

Moviefone speaks with Rebecca Romijn and Anson Mount about 'Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' Season 2. "It's been an honor," Mount said of playing Captain Pike.

Premiering on Paramount+ beginning June 15th is the second season of the popular ‘Star Trek’ series ‘Star Trek: Strange New Worlds,’ which was created by Alex Kurtzman (‘Star Trek’), Jenny Lumet (‘Rachel Getting Married’), and Oscar-winner Akiva Goldsman (‘A Beautiful Mind’).

What is ‘Star Trek: Strange New Worlds’ about?

'Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' follows Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount) and the crew of the starship USS Enterprise (NCC-1701) in the 23rd century as they explore new worlds throughout the galaxy in the decade before 'Star Trek: The Original Series.'

Who stars in ‘Star Trek: Strange New Worlds?’

Anson Mount ('Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness') as Christopher Pike, Rebecca Romijn ('X-Men') as Una Chin-Riley/Number One, Ethan Peck ('The Sorcerer's Apprentice') as Spock, Jess Bush as Christine Chapel, Christina Chong ('Tom and Jerry') as La'an Noonien-Singh, Celia Rose Gooding as Nyota Uhura, Melissa Navia ('The Chosen') as Erica Ortegas, Babs Olusanmokun ('Dune') as Joseph M'Benga, and Paul Wesley ('Mothers and Daughters') as James T. Kirk.

Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with Rebecca Romijn and Anson Mount about their work on season 2 of ‘Star Trek: Strange New Worlds,’ the respect between Pike and Number One, Una’s troubles in the new season, why Pike is willing to do anything to help her, and what it’s like playing these iconic ‘Star Trek’ characters.

Anson Mount as Pike and Rebecca Romijn as Una of the Paramount+ original series 'Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.'

You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interviews with Romijn and Mount, Ethan Peck, Jess Bush, Christina Chong, Melissa Navia, Babs Olusanmokun, and Paul Wesley.

Moviefone: To begin with, Anson, Pike puts himself on the line defending Una this season. Can you talk about the respect and admiration between the two characters and why he's willing to do anything he can to help her in this situation?

Anson Mount: Rebecca and I figure that they've been friends going back all the way to the Academy and not just friends, but confidants. I really do think that Number One is a pivotal part of Pike being able to be an effective captain. I think that he always secretly wondered why he was made a captain. Rebecca earlier called it an imposter syndrome, which I think is a pretty accurate diagnosis. Number One is there to remind him why and to help him see through some of what he sees as his shortcomings, as well as to challenge him at important times. I think he's smart enough and has had good enough leaders and teachers to be aware that your right-hand person is only as good as they're willing to stand up and tell you you're wrong at times.

Anson Mount as Pike in 'Star Trek: Strange New Worlds,' streaming on Paramount+, 2023. Photo: Michael Gibson/Paramount+.

Related Article: ‘Star Trek: Strange New Worlds’ Casts Paul Wesley as Captain Kirk

MF: Rebecca, Una is in trouble with Starfleet this season for hiding her true self. Can you talk about that and how this whole ordeal really changes her as a character?

Rebecca Romijn: I think she's been living most of her life hiding the fact that she's an Illyrian and there are different genetic modifications within the Illyrian culture. She is someone who can hide as an Illyrian and that has allowed her a certain amount of privilege and being able to be protected as a child, being able to join Starfleet. But I think she carries a tremendous amount of shame for lying to Starfleet and having Captain Pike protect her and give her asylum. I think she's shameful of that, but not shameful of being an Illyrian. I think she's proud of her heritage. I think this is her coming out episode. She's decided she's going to live authentically and just because you can hide and spend your life hiding doesn't mean you should have to, is my takeaway for Una. I think once she removes that burden from her shoulders, you're going to find a freer Una.

(L to R) Ethan Peck as Spock and Rebecca Romijn as Una in the trailer of 'Star Trek: Strange New Worlds,' streaming on Paramount+, 2023. Photo: Michael Gibson/Paramount+.

MF: Finally, Anson, can you talk about coming into this series and having the opportunity to step into this iconic role, and what has been your approach to playing Pike, especially knowing his ultimate fate?

AM: Well, first of all, it's been an honor, but not nearly the high jump that a lot of people think that it's been because I think that Jeffrey Hunter was playing a very different Pike in a very different time in his life, and I'm playing a Pike that is a little bit more settled into his decision to be in Starfleet, to do what he's doing. But you’re also in a very select group of people who've been able to be an Enterprise Captain, and you don't want to do what's been done before. You want to make your Captain stand out amongst the crowd, and I believe that these writers have done a tremendous job doing that. I couldn't have done any of it without them, but I often say that if Kirk (William Shatner) represented the gut and Picard (Patrick Stewart) represented the intellect, I want Pike to represent the heart.

Jess Bush as Chapel, Celia Rose Gooding as Shura, Ethan Peck as Spock, Anson Mount as Pike, Rebecca Romijn as Una, Babs Olusanmokun as M’Benga, Christina Chong as La’an and Melissa Navia as Ortegas of 'Star Trek: Strange New Worlds,' streaming on Paramount+, 2023.

(L to R) Jess Bush as Chapel, Celia Rose Gooding as Shura, Ethan Peck as Spock, Anson Mount as Pike, Rebecca Romijn as Una, Babs Olusanmokun as M’Benga, Christina Chong as La’an and Melissa Navia as Ortegas of 'Star Trek: Strange New Worlds,' streaming on Paramount+, 2023. Photo: Pari Dukovic/Paramount+.