Doug Jones Discusses His Absence from STAR TREK: DISCOVERY and Teases Saru's Return

Doug Jones as Saru in STAR TREK: DISCOVERY. Image: Paramount+.

In the vast universe of Star Trek: Discovery, the absence of Doug Jones, who has portrayed Saru since the show's debut, has been keenly felt by fans throughout the current season. According to reporting by Trek Movie, Jones recently shed light on his temporary departure from the series and confirmed his much-anticipated return.

Jones has been a constant presence on Discovery, appearing in nearly every episode across the first four seasons. However, in season 5, viewers noticed Saru's reduced screen time, as he transitioned from the USS Discovery to a new role at Starfleet HQ. Following brief appearances in the early episodes of the season, Saru was notably absent from subsequent installments, leaving fans puzzled about his whereabouts.

The mystery was solved when Jones revealed on X that his absence was due to promotional duties for Hocus Pocus 2, where he reprised his role as Billy Butcherson. The timing of these commitments coincided with the production of Discovery in Toronto, explaining his reduced presence on the show.

Despite Jones taking a hiatus, the production team adeptly adapted to Jones' schedule. This flexibility allowed for new narrative developments, including the introduction of Callum Keith Rennie as Rayner, who is filling Saru's role as first officer. This shift underscored the dynamic nature of the series, which continually evolves its character lineup to keep the storyline fresh and engaging.

Jones confirmed his return for the season finale and potentially additional episodes. This comeback is highly anticipated, especially as it may resolve Saru's ongoing romantic storyline. By the third episode of the season, Saru and T’Rina announced their engagement, sparking excitement about a possible Kelpien/Vulcan wedding in the finale—a fitting climax for what promises to be an emotional farewell to the series.