Carol Kane was a surprising addition to Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, but no one was more surprised to be offered the role of Commander Pelia than Kane herself. An Academy Award-nominee and two-time Emmy winner beloved for her roles in Taxi, The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, The Princess Bride, and Wicked, Kane joined Strange New Worlds season 2 as Pelia, the new Chief Engineer of the Starship Enterprise and a member of the extremely-long lived Lanthanite species.
Appearing at her very first convention of any sort, Carol Kane joined her Star Trek: Strange New Worlds cast mates Anson Mount, Rebecca Romijn, Ethan Peck, Celia Rose Gooding, and Melanie Scrofano on stage at STLV: Trek to Vegas. Answering fan questions, Kane spoke about how she reacted when offered a role in Star Trek, and how she is different from Commander Pelia. Read her quote and watch the video posted by DRTShow below:
I just was so challenged and surprised to be welcomed into this universe. I just thought I gotta jump in with both feet and try it. And I’m very glad I did… Pelia has so much more confidence than I do, and she’s never worried about speaking her mind in a very direct fashion. That’s a challenge for me, and I really love that. I really love stretching into that place where she is.
Carol Kane also revealed her feelings and approach to the Star Trek technobabble Commander Pelia must speak as Chief Engineer:
I was terrified. Just let me say, terrified. Because there’s sort of nothing to hold onto. You really just have to learn it so literally. And I’m very unfamiliar with almost everything I say.
What Is Commander Pelia’s Future On Star Trek: Strange New Worlds?
Scotty is now also a series regular on Strange New Worlds
Commander Pelia replaced the late Lt. Hemmer (Bruce Horak), her former engineering student at Starfleet Academy, as the USS Enterprise’s Chief Engineer in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2. Although Scotty (Martin Quinn) joins Strange New Worlds season 3 as a series regular, signs are the two engineers will co-exist on the Enterprise. Scotty is only a Lieutenant, and he still has years to go before he becomes the Scotty James Doohan played in Star Trek: The Original Series.Pelia’s role as Chief Engineer is evidently secure in Strange New Worlds season 3.
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds has only scratched the surface of Commander Pelia’s potential.
Carol Kane is one of the most unexpected castings by Star Trek in recent years, but an actor of her legendary reputation joining Strange New Worlds is a coup. Strange New Worlds’ clever writing combined with Kane’s offbeat performance creates a wholly original character in Commander Pelia. The Lanthanite also has an unusual life where she is hundreds of years old, and this has provided fun, comedic moments. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds has only scratched the surface of Commander Pelia’s potential, and hopefully, Carol Kane will be part of the series for many seasons to come.