Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 3, Episode 2 Guest Star Addresses His Surprise Legacy Character

Rhys Darby joins Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 3 to cause a kind of mischief that seems very familiar to fans of Star Trek: The Original Series.

Best known as Captain Stede Bonnet in HBO's Our Flag Means Death, as well as through his comedic team-ups with Taika Waititi, Rhys Darby portrays a cosmic trickster who tries to marry Lieutenant Spock (Ethan Peck) to Nurse Christine Chapel (Jess Bush).

ScreenRant's John Orquiola had the pleasure of chatting with Rhys Darby about his unnamed Star Trek character, playing comedy in Strange New Worlds, and John de Lancie's surprise cameo as "Dad."

Who Is Rhys Darby Playing In Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 3?

"Unfortunately, There Is No Name"

ScreenRant: I absolutely loved your episode of Strange New Worlds, and I'm really fascinated by how it slots into the wider Star Trek canon. Let's talk a little bit about that. Your character, the wedding planner, is never named in the episode. What was your character called in the script?

Rhys Darby: Well, I cannot reveal that. Unfortunately, there is no name. We just have to wait and see. Canon has to catch up, I think. That's all I can reveal. I mean, I think we all probably know who it might be, right? But there's no official writing down.

ScreenRant: Did you watch that particular episode of Star Trek: The Original Series, based on who it might be, to prepare for the role?

Rhys Darby: I loved it, and I remember watching that episode back in the day. One of my favorites. I think the regalness, the mischievous personality of this character, really fits in with my psyche. I was very happy to be able to play this person. 

 

ScreenRant: You seem to be having a ton of fun just interacting with the cast, and your costume was spectacular. It wasn't too far of a stretch from Stede Bonnet in Our Flag Means Death, either.

Rhys Darby: I mean, that was really important for me. I was told he was going to be wearing an extravagant kind of coat. And on the fitting day, which was one of my favorite days, always is, because that's when I first really start to become the character, I spent a good couple of hours getting all of this gear on and talking to the costume designers, and really enjoying who I possibly could be with this coat on.

So, it really makes the difference. Because, I think with his character, it worked out perfectly that there was a massive event happening, and he decided to turn it into a wedding. So everyone was going to be dressed up anyway. So it made sense to be also dressed up. And in a cheeky way, dressed up more than anyone else, like it's all about him, because he's so immature. And I think he's just having fun and wanting to look awesome.

ScreenRant: There is somebody else who appears in your episode as a big surprise: John de Lancie plays your character's Dad. Did you know about that, or was that a surprise to you as well?

Rhys Darby: We kind of knew, but it wasn't 100% confirmed when I was doing it. So, that was the idea. I knew that was going to happen. It just wasn't until I watched it for the first time yesterday I found that he was present, so I knew it was the plan.

 

Was Rhys Darby Surprised By Strange New Worlds Being Good At Comedy?

"That's The Greatest Part About Strange New Worlds"

ScreenRant: Obviously, your background is in comedy. Were you surprised by how adept the cast of Strange New Worlds is at comedy like based on your prior impression of what Star Trek is?

Rhys Darby: Oh yes, and no. I mean, going from the actors, knowing, knowing the show, watching the first two seasons, and knowing that there are comedy elements in it. And that's the greatest part about Strange New Worlds, that it changes what it is every episode, every second episode. You don't know what you're going to get. It's a mixed bag. And so when there's a humorous one, they can all do it. They're great. They're great performers. So I was just really happy that, entering their world, that they were happy with me to have fun with them. And yeah, it was, it was a pleasure.

When you sign up for this kind of thing, you know what's coming.

ScreenRant: Speaking of entering their world, you've now entered the Star Trek world. You're now part of this universe. Are you prepared for things like Star Trek conventions? Are you prepared for this to be a part you're known for going forward?

Rhys Darby: Of course! You know, when you sign up for this kind of thing, you know what's coming. And I'm very, very happy to be doing it. I've done a few cons in the past. As you may know, I've been in a few shows that have been in Comic-Con, so I know where we're going, and I like the Star Trek fans. They're they're a really cool bunch. So I think I'm going to fit in pretty well.

You were in Star Trek officiating a wedding. In your opinion, not your character's, who should Chapel marry? Spock or Korby?

Rhys Darby: In my own personal opinion, it's a difficult one. I think it's a weird one. I don't know. It seems weird to me for Spock to be married, for some reason, I think. But that felt, just from that episode, that there is such a true love connection there. But I think maybe Korby is... I only know him from that episode, really, so I think I don't know if we can trust him or not. Hmm, yeah, I'd have to go with Spock.

Well, Korby does pop up later on in The Original Series, and no, you can't trust him. He breaks bad. He does not turn out well.

Rhys Darby: Oh, okay, all right. Well, I had an inkling. I just had a feeling.

Your character hated him from the get-go, and you're spot on.

Rhys Darby: Yeah, I'm basing it off my character's feelings for this guy. I got to call him Korbs, which I enjoyed.

 

Rhys Darby Is Eager To Return To Star Trek: Strange New Worlds

"What Could Be More Fun Than That?"

ScreenRant: Lots of actors have also played multiple Star Trek characters. Would you like to come back to somebody new, like maybe in Starfleet? Or would you want to return as this character and do another thing with him?

Rhys Darby: I would be happy to return as I love this character. I can't see there being a better one, because he's just so powerful and so immature. What could be more fun than that?

ScreenRant: As someone who has played a captain yourself, who is your favorite Star Trek captain?

Rhys Darby: That's a good one. You know, I'd probably have to go with Pike, I think. But just because that's the show that my character's in, and he's got good hair. He's got hair like mine. You know, hair is an important, powerful piece that Picard didn't seem to have.

 

Would Rhys Darby Return For Our Flag Means Death Season 3 Or A Revival?

ScreenRant: I did want to ask you briefly about Our Flag Means Death, which did not receive a third season. Would you revisit the show? Or if there was a revival, would you come back?

Rhys Darby: Oh, of course! Of course. But I'm pretty sure that ship has sailed. We've been trying to rehoist those flags for a while. Just the way the world is right now, I guess it just doesn't seem to be happening. But, of course, I'm always open. That was a fantastic character that I enjoyed playing. So, yeah, I'm always open to anything.

The first two episodes of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 3 are now streaming on Paramount+, with new episodes dropping every Thursday.