7 Years Later, A Missing Star Trek Actor Reveals Their Beloved Character’s Return

James Frain announces he's returning to Star Trek as Ambassador Sarek, seven years after his last appearance in Star Trek: Discovery.

Frain debuted as Sarek, the father of Spock (Ethan Peck), in Star Trek: Discovery season 1, which revealed that the Vulcan Ambassador and his human wife, Amanda Grayson (Mia Kirshner), adopted Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green) and raised her as Spock's sister on Vulcan. Sarek hasn't been seen since Star Trek: Discovery season 2's finale, "Such Sweet Sorrow," in 2019.

On his Instagram, James Frain posted a photo of himself once again donning Ambassador Sarek's Vulcan ears. Frain teases that he's been "on set" for "a few different things" that he can't post because of "secrecy," but one of them "involved this guy [Sarek]." See James' post below:

James Frain became the new Sarek after Mark Lenard originated the role in Star Trek: The Original Series, and returned in three Star Trek movies. Ben Cross played the Sarek of the alternate Kelvin Timeline in J.J. Abrams' Star Trek (2009). Frain's version of Sarek added new facets to the Vulcan Ambassador, one of Star Trek's most beloved original characters.

Star Trek: Discovery retconned a twist that Sarek was closer to Michael Burnham than he was to Spock. After rescuing the orphaned Burnham, Sarek took personal satisfaction in her education and Starfleet career, unlike his own son. Sarek and Burnham shared a powerful connection, and they were capable of mind-meld communication across millions of miles of space.

Amanda Grayson appeared in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2's "Charades." Sarek's absence was tacitly explained by Star Trek: The Original Series canon, which established that Sarek did not speak to Spock because his son chose Starfleet over the Vulcan Science Academy.

James Frain kept it vague whether Sarek would return in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds seasons 4, 5, or both. If he does, Strange New Worlds may alter canon if Sarek and Spock speak to each other. It's also not clear if Mia Kirshner will also reprise Amanda in Strange New Worlds' final episodes.

However, it's not a given that Sarek will appear in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. Perhaps Sarek could also appear (as a hologram or by some other means) in Star Trek: Starfleet Academy's second and final season.

Sarek's potential return to Star Trek: Strange New Worlds could also lead to the prequel answering the lingering question of Sybok, who was reintroduced in season 1.

Perhaps Sarek's Star Trek return will settle the fate of Sybok and reveal the Ambassador's feelings about his firstborn son, 37 years after Sybok debuted in Star Trek V: The Final Frontier.