Number One Leads Away Missions

Rebecca Romijn promises that Lt. Commander Una Chin-Riley will beam off the Starship Enterprise to lead away missions in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 4. Paramount+ officially announced that Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 4 will premiere on Thursday, July 23.

A lot has happened since Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 3’s finale premiered in September on Paramount+. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds‘ fifth and final season wrapped filming in Toronto just before Christmas 2025, Star Trek: Starfleet Academy premiered in January and was canceled in March 2026, and the sets for both Star Trek series have been torn down and auctioned off.

At CCXP Mexico, Rebecca Romijn, Ethan Peck, Celia Rose Gooding, and Paul Wesley unveiled Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 4’s teaser trailer and promoted the new season. Romijn revealed that Number One will spend “more time on-planet” and lead “incredible missions” in season 4 and 5. Read Rebecca’s quote reported by TrekBrasiliis and TrekMovie:

Rebecca Romijn: “We get to see a much freer Una, who gets to lead missions starting in season 4, and 5… It’s so exciting, it’s so fun. Una makes a request at the beginning of season 4 for more time on-planet. And now that she is living her authentic self, she gets to lead these incredible missions.”

Star Trek: The Next Generation initially set the precedent that the USS Enterprise’s First Officer would lead landing party missions while the Captain remained safely aboard his ship. While TNG didn’t stick to that format, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 4 will see Number One spearhead more away missions.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 4’s trailer shows glimpses of Number One in action, engaging in phaser fights alongside Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount). New images from Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 4 also see Commander Una Chin-Riley “on-planet” with Lieutenants La’an Noonien-Singh (Christina Chong) and Erica Ortegas (Melissa Navia).

Una La'an Ortegas in Strange New Worlds season 4

Besides the logic of the First Officer in charge of dangerous encounters off-ship, Una is ideally suited to lead away missions because of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds‘ revelations that Number One is an Illyrian. The genetically engineered Commander is stronger and more durable than a human, so perilous situations make sense for Una.

It’s also about time that Number One sees more action in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 4. The prequel’s expansive cast often relegates Una to support roles, so it’s about time that Number One gets more spotlight and gets her hands dirty.

More “on-planet” time for Number One is a very good thing that fans can look forward to in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 4.