Carol Kane Admits Feeling ‘Terrified’ When Offered Role as Commander Pelia in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds
Carol Kane joined the cast of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds in its second season as Pelia, the new Chief Engineer of the Starship Enterprise and a member of the long-lived Lanthanite species. When approached for the role, the Academy nominee and two-time Emmy winning actress was surprised.
Kane made her first convention appearance at STLV: Trek to Vegas and during a fan Q&A session, she shared her initial reaction to the role, her approach to it, and how she compared herself to her character.
“I was challenged and surprised to be welcomed into this universe,” she said. Taking the role was a risk she’s glad she took. She admires her character’s confidence, something she finds challenging in real life.
“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,” Kane—known for her work in Taxi, The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, The Princess Bride, and Wicked—added.
Describing her approach to the character, Kane revealed that it was challenging because there was nothing familiar to grasp onto. “I was terrified. Just let me say, terrified,” she recalled.
As a Chief Engineer, speaking with precision and fluency was essential. “You really just have to learn it so literally. And I’m very unfamiliar with almost everything I say,” Kane revealed.
Her character, Pelia, may play a significant role in the show’s future, as she joins in Season 3 as a replacement for Lt. Hemmer. Pelia will coexist with Scotty (played by Martin Quinn) on the Enterprise.
Pelia’s role as a core member of the crew and as a fan favorite is promising. As a Lanthanite with centuries of life experience, Pelia adds a comedic twist to the show’s timeline.