Warning: SPOILERS for Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Episode 2 - "Children of the Comet"
A famous story about Nichelle Nichols and Dr. Martin Luther King has been adapted into canon by cast ing Strange New Worlds' Starship Enterprise is Nyota Uhura (Celia Rose Gooding), who is a Starfleet Cadet on her first deep space voyage, and who will one day become the Enterprise's Communications Officer played by Nichelle Nichols.
Uhura was a groundbreaking character in Dr. King reminded Nichols that regardless of what her character does or doesn't do on Star Trek, her very presence is an inspiration that signals a more inclusive future for African-Americans. Nichols took Dr. King's words to heart and remained part of Star Trek, turning Uhura into an icon who did, indeed, inspire millions of fans while Nichols herself became an integral part of NASA.
In Strange New Worlds episode 2, "Children of the Comet," Nichelle Nichols' dissatisfaction with Star Trek in 1967 is echoed in Cadet Uhura's questioning whether she belongs in Starfleet. Uhura was invited to a dinner in Captain Pike's quarters. Uhura revealed her tragic backstory and the fact that Nyota speaks 37 Earth languages left the other guests stunned. But Uhura also confessed that she wasn't sure if she belongs in Starfleet. Cadet Uhura's desire to leave the service intriguingly mirrored Nichelle Nichols's wanting to quit Star Trek. But it's Lt. Spock (Ethan Peck) who filled the Martin Luther King role in Strange New Worlds. The Vulcan Science Officer first reminded Uhura that thousands of cadets would do anything for a spot on the Enterprise. Later, Spock took on a mentor role and assured Uhura that Starfleet is her best destiny, just as Dr. King did for Nichelle Nichols so that she would remain in Star Trek.
For Spock, the way in which Uhura acquitted herself during their away mission aboard a rogue comet convinced him that she does, indeed, belong in Starfleet. It was Uhura who solved the mysteries of the comet, which is actually an ancient arbiter of life that travels the galaxy to benefit planets. Uhura was vital in getting her landing party rescued from the comet's surface and Nyota later deduced that the comet is somehow sentient and never intended to collide with Persephone III; rather, the arbiter meant to give it rain and water to bring new life to the planet. Just as Martin Luther King did for Nichelle Nichols, the Vulcan realized how important Cadet Uhura is to the Enterprise and that she could do great things if she remained aboard. Thankfully, Uhura listened to Spock just as Nichols did to Dr. King.
Uhura never really got the character development Nichelle Nichols wanted in Star Trek, although she was part of historic moments like television's first inter-racial kiss with William Shatner's Kirk. However, Strange New Worlds episode 2 has already given Celia Rose Gooding's Cadet Uhura the meaty role and emphasis that would make Nichols proud. And, since Gooding's Uhura eventually becomes Nichols' version, everything that happens in Strange New Worlds adds deeper context to their shared iconic Star Trek character. Nichelle once said that her favorite Star Trek episode was "any time Uhura got off the bridge," so Celia's predecessor must have loved Cadet Uhura's daring mission on the comet in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds episode 2.
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds streams Thursdays on Paramount+.