During a recent interview with the press, the cast of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds gave a look at what's in store for some of your favorite characters in season three, with insights from Celia Rose Gooding (Lt. Uhura), Babs Olusanmokun (Dr. M’Benga), and Melissa Navia (Lt. Erica Ortegas).

Dr. M’Benga will be grappling with his inner demons this season. He's actively seeking a lighter path and trying to move past his dark experiences, even finding some fun on missions along the way. Will he successfully leave his troubled past behind? You'll have to watch to find the answer. Olusanmokun mentioned an "interesting" storyline involving a very ill protégé who "turns," causing "real pain" for Dr. M'Benga in his role as caretaker.

Lt. Uhura is undergoing a significant transformation. She's processing past trauma and engaging in new connections, both with the bridge crew and through new romances, including a surprising twist involving Ortegas's younger brother. We'll see a more romantic and caring side of Uhura, and her journey of emotional growth is even reflected in her changing hairstyles. According to Gooding, hair is an important way that she expresses herself and you can tell how things are going by how neat her hair is. When Uhura's hair is "cropped, coiffed, moisturized, and hydrated, she is in a good place.” Gooding also shared that the sixth episode was particularly challenging for her, stylistically, emotionally, and physically.

The friendship between Uhura and Ortegas will truly shine this season, with them "sweetly taking care of each other." We'll also delve deeper into Lt. Ortegas's personal life, exploring her Latin background and sibling rivalry with her younger brother joining season three. Navia hinted at an unexpectedly challenging later-season episode for her character.

The cast emphasized how season three continues to uphold the core values of Star Trek with hope and optimism. Olusanmokun highlighted the continued message of hope and optimism, even in the darkest moments. Navia noted that the season explores feeling both helpless and hopeful, and the importance of channeling that energy into proactive solutions. Characters will continue to face hardships but will hold onto hope and translate it into action. Gooding passionately spoke about "infinite diversity, infinite combinations, and infinite connection." She believes that "exclusion benefits no one" and that Star Trek provides an example for the world to follow, emphasizing that "separatism [and] individualism has no place in Trek or in our world."

Watch the interview below.