Star Trek: Discovery actor Adil Hussain has given a new interview in which he talks about how he became a part of the show. Hussain features in the trailer for season three, as the mysterious character that Burnham and Book meet in a clean white office with a hidden Federation flag. No further details about his character have been released. 

According to a story from the Press Trust of India, Hussain’s remarks came as he attended the Dharamshala International Film Festival. He related the story of how he auditioned for - and ultimately got cast in - the new season of Discovery.

Hussain said his agent called and asked him to audition, saying the producers were looking for someone to fill a role that was “human and South Asian”. Hussain said, “So I recorded my audition and sent it. Two weeks later, I got to know that they all loved it. Next this I know I’m shooting for the show in Toronto.”

Hussain described his first day of shooting: “Everyone, including the actors, gathered around and made a circle. [...] They all clapped and then looked at me.” Hussain said they expected him to say a few words, so he did. “I said, 'The only thing coming to my mind right now is that I was born in a small town in Assam where newspapers used to come three days late. And now I'm here today, crossing the galaxies. So thank you for letting me into your family.’”

According to the PTI piece, Hussain said that he will likely be returning to shoot four more episodes of Discovery in January.