Ambassador Sarek (James Frain) isn't expected to appear in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, but Star Trek: The Original Series set a canonical timeframe for when Lieutenant Spock's (Ethan Peck) father can appear in the Star Trek prequel. The highly anticipated Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 3 premieres July 17 on Paramount+. Strange New Worlds season 3 continues the genre-bending voyages of Captain Christopher Pike's (Anson Mount) Starship Enterprise, where Spock plays a central role.
In Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' timeframe, Spock and Sarek are not on speaking terms. Star Trek canon established that by the time Ambassador Sarek (Mark Lenard) and Spock's mother, Amanda Grayson (Jane Wyatt), came aboard the USS Enterprise in Star Trek: The Original Series season 2's "Journey to Babel," Spock and his father had not spoken to each other in 20 years. This is due to Sarek's disappointment that Spock chose to join Starfleet instead of the Vulcan Science Academy.
Amanda Grayson (Mia Kirshner) appeared in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2, episode 5, "Charades," but there's less of a chance of Spock's father beaming onto the Starship Enterprise. However, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds has challenged Star Trek canon already, and there are ways for Sarek, who hasn't been seen since Star Trek: Discovery season 2, to appear. Alternatively, there is also already a rough date for when Strange New Worlds could introduce Sarek in Star Trek canon.
Star Trek: The Original Series Set A Timeframe For Sarek Appearing In Strange New Worlds
Here's When Sarek Can Appear
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 3 takes place in 2261, which is the centennial anniversary of the founding of the United Federation of Planets. Strange New Worlds doesn't follow the one season = one year formula of the 1990s Star Trek series, and time is more elastic. Indeed, Strange New Worlds season 3 will have a time jump, moving the timeline forward from the cliffhanger ending and resolution of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2.
It's also possible that a Sarek appearance could be in the cards for Strange New Worlds season 3 or 4.
Star Trek: Discovery Got Around Spock & Sarek's Original Series Canon
Sarek & Spock Were Both In Star Trek: Discovery Season 2
Star Trek: Discovery seasons 1 and 2 were set from 2256-2258, a few years before Star Trek: Strange New Worlds begins, and the former flagship Star Trek on Paramount+ series found a way to feature Ambassador Sarek and Lieutenant Spock. Star Trek: Discovery's first two seasons were notorious for breaking canon by reimagining the Klingons and introducing anachronistic technology like the USS Discovery's spore drive, but Sarek and Spock's estrangement was maintained by Star Trek: Discovery.
Star Trek: Discovery, which retconned Commander Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green) as an adopted member of Sarek's family, used Michael as the 'middle man' of sorts between Spock and Sarek. In Star Trek: Discovery season 2, Lt. Spock was emotionally damaged by an encounter with the Red Angel, and Burnham helped her adoptive brother recover. While Sarek was in Star Trek: Discovery season 2, Burnham and Amanda Grayson interacted with Spock in lieu of Sarek, thereby preserving Star Trek canon.
Star Trek: Discovery season 2's premiere, "Brother," even included a meta commentary on the series bringing in Spock and Sarek, when the Vulcan Ambassador told Burnham, "I had not expected to see Spock again." It's very possible Star Trek: Strange New Worlds could also dance around Spock and Sarek technically not speaking to each other while still featuring a comeback of Spock's father.