Can’t miss Interviews Straight from the Discovery Crew
October 2, 2025
We sat down with the crew as they shared their excitement for The Un-Conventional Voyage!
Doug Jones, Raven Dauda, and David Benjamin Tomlinson share their thoughts on Star Trek’s 60th anniversary, their characters, and the moments they’re most looking forward to on the cruise.
We’ll be celebrating 60 years of Star Trek on the 2026 cruise. When you think about your place in the amazing franchise’s history, how do you feel?
Doug Jones: I feel humbled and honored to be part of such a long-running, respected television legacy. A big part of that honor is to have helped create a new species of alien, playing the first Kelpien in Star Trek history, and to have that Kelpien become the first ever non-human captain of a title starship.
Raven Dauda: I feel incredibly honoured and excited! It’s a dream come true!
David Benjamin Tomlinson: I was rewatching the Star Trek movies with a friend recently, and at the end of Star Trek VI, Kirk says:
“Captain’s Log, stardate 9529.1. This is the final cruise of the Starship Enterprise under my command. This ship and her history will shortly become the care of another crew. To them and their posterity will we commit our future. They will continue the voyages we have begun, and journey to all the undiscovered countries, boldly going where no man… where no *one* has gone before.”
I remember sitting bolt upright when I heard this, and I turned to my friend and said, “I’m on such a crew!” It really hit me for the first time. It’s humbling, and such a singular honour. I’m still wrapping my brain around it. Linus will always hold a very special place in my heart.
How do you view the impact Star Trek has had on pop culture and the world? What impact has Star Trek had on you personally?
Doug Jones:I can’t tell you how many fans have told me that their own aspirations in science and exploration began by the impact Star Trek has had on them, many of them currently working for NASA. For me personally, Star Trek has always helped me see the possibility of a bright, peaceful future, filled with hope.
Raven Dauda: Star Trek has shaped pop culture and the world in such a profound way. From the designs of our cell phones to our exploration of space… it’s quite astounding and amazing really. Personally, Star Trek has been a space of deep community and its messages of respect, equality and pushing the boundaries have been something that has inspired me to be more present in my life.
It’s been a very tough year (I lost my mother to pancreatic cancer in 2024) and she absolutely LOVED Star Trek … like really… she LOVED it! For me, the absolute joy and pride she had in telling people that I was a part of the show… and the biggest smile on her face that she had every time she talked about it and how her daughter was a doctor on that show… that is a priceless gift and those moments, those memories, those feelings of my mother’s love for me and pride in me and what I had done in my career… I will forever cherish.
David Benjamin Tomlinson: Star Trek has provided us with so many incredible stories and characters… I have always valued the questions that the franchise has posed about life, the universe and everything. Star Trek has inspired me, entertained me, and been a comfort to me. It has been a thoughtful beacon my entire life.
How are you similar and how are you different from the character that you play?
Doug Jones (Saru): Saru and I share an inborn anxiety and fear at the beginning of the Discovery series. Where we differ, and where I am learning from him now, is how to overcome that fear and live in courage and confidence, as Saru did after going through his “Vahari” phase.
Raven Dauda (Dr. Pollard): Tracy (Dr. Pollard) is so much sassier than I am. I am not that cheeky… although because of her I feel myself becoming more and more every day! lol! I also love her work ethic and how she will do anything for a friend in need… in that way I like to think that we are similar.
David Benjamin Tomlinson (Linus): I think we’re more alike than we are different… I’m more of a loner than Linus is… Linus plays the piano, but he’s also more mishap prone. We both value loyalty and community. We both loved working on the bridge of the Discovery. Linus is WAY better at math.
You are joining an amazing all-star Star Trek crew onboard in 2026, who are you most excited to see?
Doug Jones: I consider everyone on the crew list for this cruise to be friends, as we’ve all gotten to know each other so well through Star Trek family events. So excited to spend time with my legacy friends including Robert Picardo, Jonathan Frakes, Nana Visitor, and that precious Walter Koenig. Also very happy to be with my Discovery castmates, Anthony Rapp, and first-time cruisers David Benjamin Tomlinson, Raven Dauda, and Avaah Blackwell.
Raven Dauda: Robert Picardo & Armin Shimerman–I absolutely cannot wait!!!
David Benjamin Tomlinson: I can’t wait to be reunited with my Discovery castmates!