Exclusive: Babs Olusanmokun on playing Dr. M'Benga in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds
Finishing up its first season on Paramount+ is STAR TREK: STRANGE NEW WORLDS, which is based on the years Captain Christopher Pike manned the helm of the U.S.S. Enterprise. The series features fan favorites from season two of STAR TREK: DISCOVERY, Anson Mount as Captain Christopher Pike, Rebecca Romijn as Number One and Ethan Peck as Science Officer Spock. The series will follow Captain Pike, Science Officer Spock and Number One in the years before Captain Kirk boarded the U.S.S. Enterprise, as they explore new worlds around the galaxy.
Also part of the series are Jess Bush as Nurse Christine Chapel, Christina Chong as La’an Noonien-Singh, Celia Rose Gooding as Cadet Nyota Uhura, Melissa Navia as Lt. Erica Ortegas and Babs Olusanmokun as Dr. M’Benga.
For Olusanmokun, he’s playing Doctor Joseph M’Benga, which was played by Booker Bradshaw in The Original Series. Babs was most recently seen as Jamis in Denis Villeneuve’s Dune. His other notable roles include playing Kunta Kinte’s father Omoro Kinte in History Channel’s remake of Roots, and as General Azikiwe opposite Kate Beckinsale in The Widow series.
Blackfilmandtv.com caught up with the Nigerian actor as he spoke about his role in this franchise series.
How did the role come about for you? Were you asked you to come for it, or did you have to audition?
Babs Olusanmokun: My agents told me they were going to contact me directly. They contacted me and sent me the sides, dummy sides as we would call them. And I put stuff on tape, two different scenes and sent it back. Then a few weeks later, we heard the showrunners wanted to beat me, along with casting. So I essentially did a call back session, which was wonderful. It was wonderful to meet them and speak with them and it was very relaxed. Then I did the scenes again. And then they put them through the wringer even to the to the other people. Then they made their decision and here I am.
How familiar were you with the Star Trek franchise? Were you a fan at the beginning? Did you have to watch some of the episodes from other shows?
Babs Olusanmokun: I actually found the episodes with their original Dr. M’Benga, which was played by Booker Bradshaw, and watch those and others. But as a child, we watched them in syndication. And so I was quite familiar with Captain Kirk and Spock. I grew up on it. But I wouldn't say I was a Trekkie, because I just never had latched on to things like that. But I've watched many episodes of Star Trek in the house.
How would you describe your character? Is he similar to the original character?
Babs Olusanmokun: I watched the two episodes by Booker Bradshaw. But I felt I would give Dr. M’Benga a new slate and craft something new. That's what I've endeavored to do. It's a chance you take. As an actor, we have to trust ourselves. Then we make these decisions, we jump. And then people tell you what they think of it. And that's that, but you just have to trust your decisions. That's it.
Which episode will we get to see more of Dr. M’Benga?
Babs Olusanmokun: In episode eight, you saw quite a bit more of him, at least progression of the arc of his character, and then after that, we'll probably have to wait for season two. Which we're finishing up here.
What does it mean to be part of the Star Trek franchise? Especially one that’s over 50 years old.
Babs Olusanmokun: It just means you're a part of this legacy. It means you're part of this brilliant legacy and you now have to do your part to uphold it and contribute something meaningful to it. And that is responsibility, but it's one that I embrace. And it is special to me as an actor to have a job that is quite solid. But more than that, it's a job, it's a piece of work that's very meaningful to many people. Knowing you have that community, and you have to serve that community is a wonderful challenge. Not all actors have a chance to have that experience. There are many shows that are out there that come and go. With this one we're simply vessels of Star Trek. And they will be another group of people that will be vessels for Star Trek, and it's messages, adventure and it's optimism. It's fun, and really cool to be a part of.
What goes into saying you have to do projects you take?
Babs Olusanmokun: I must say that only in recent years, I have had the luxury of saying no to certain things. As a struggling actor in New York, you're just trying to work. You don't want to do anything stupid. You're just trying to work. So a number of projects I did I had to fight, and the work that was done on one or two, then led to something else being offered. You choose the right thing, or you fight for the right one. And because of the work you've done on that, you get, you then get somebody that says, “Oh, I saw you in that. I want you in this” and I think there's no better way to go about it. And if you want me and it's something I can connect to, then yeah, we do it are blessed to be in opposition.