MAY 10, 2021 - The COVID-19 pandemic has taken its toll on the entertainment industry, but production on Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is chugging along. In a recent interview with the Radio Times, Strange New Worlds star Anson Mount shed some light on what it’s been like to film a brand new Star Trek series under the constraints of COVID-19 safety protocols.

After Strange New Worlds had a close call with a COVID-positive guest star early in production, it makes sense that everyone on set is especially vigilant about safety. However, a higher level of precaution, while necessary, does have its drawbacks, part of which makes it more difficult to bond with others on set. “COVID [protocols] makes everything take longer, but you get through it,” Mount said in the interview, adding, “It’s weird trying to get to know my cast only [while] on set.” Even with all of the challenges that enhanced safety protocols bring, Mount still said that launching Strange New Worlds has been “one of the smoothest starts” he’s “ever had in television.”

If it weren’t for the pandemic, bonding with his fellow cast members would likely follow a different narrative. “Normally I’d be throwing barbecues and we’d be going to the park,” he said. “You can’t do much of that right now, particularly during the lockdown in Ontario but we’re surviving.”

On the upside, the whole process has been made easier by having some of the Star Trek: Discovery crew along for the voyage. Not only are Anson Mount, Rebecca Romijn, and Ethan Peck expanding on their roles from Discovery and Short Treks, but Mount reported that several of the Discovery production team are also sharing their talents on the set of Strange New Worlds. “That has worked to our benefit,” Mount said, “not just with the world and the material, but interpersonally, with this production company and these producers.”

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is expected to premiere on Paramount+ in 2022.