Search for Spock no longer — he's here, and he's going through some things.

Ethan Peck has been cast as the venerable Vulcan Mr. Spock in season 2 of the CBS All Access series "Star Trek: Discovery," which returns Jan 17.

Discovery is set about 10 years prior to "Star Trek: the Original Series," in the so-called prime timeline (meaning, the timeline from the series, not the new "Kelvin" timeline introduced in the recent JJ Abrams films).

By the end of this season of "Discovery," "they will be synced up with the 'Original Series,' " said "Discovery" co-creator and now showrunner Alex Kurtzman.

Prime Spock

We get glimpses of the new, younger (and bearded! And more emotional!) Spock in the season 2 trailer.

Peck spoke with us about how he has approached the role and what we can expect this season from his Spock.

"When we first see him, he's sort of unravelled," Peck said. "This is the time when this epic conflict within him — a human and Vulcan in one being — is really on the surface and plays out on the surface."

Peck continued, "The Spock that we are creating isn't immediately recognizable as a Spock you've seen. So we need to get him in a place where he is shaped and molded to the Spock that we will see in the Original Series."

Logical conclusion

But at first, even Peck didn't know that's who he would be playing.

"That was something I discovered on my own. The first set of scenes I got were disguised, and I just had no idea who it was. And about three weeks later, a couple days before my final audition, I got a scene that revealed that Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green's character) and I shared a father and I was like, 'What?' And watching 'Discovery,' I was at this point where I realized that Burnham was (Spock's parents) Sarek and Amanda's adopted child, but I just couldn't believe it."

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He said he felt quite a bit of anxiety when he realized the magnitude of the role in which he had been cast. First, he wanted to meet the family of Leonard Nimoy, the actor who portrayed the original Mr. Spock on Star Trek.

"I met with the Nimoy family, which was an incredible experience," Peck said. "That was kind of the first step in feeling like I'm worthy and I can do this. I was just curious to meet them because Leonard's not with us, but there's some of him with them. And yes, of course, I'd wanted their blessing in some way, and that definitely gave me that."

Peck had praise for his cast members. On working with Martin-Green, Peck said, "Sonequa was so amazing. My nickname for her is 'Strength' because she is so full of energy and so full of life both on- and off-camera. She's been a really huge part of me feeling like I can do this, and that this Spock is my own."

Live long and prosper

So does he feel worthy of the mantle now?

"I'm getting there," Peck said. "Yeah, I think I do. I hesitate to say that because I don't want it to sound arrogant or anything, but I feel that the Spock that lives in me is very real to me, and I hope that it appears that way to other people when they watch it. ... I'm really excited for the world to see it. Hopefully it's as good as it felt."

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Peck is the grandson of Academy Award-winning actor Gregory Peck, known for his roles in "To Kill a Mockingbird," "The Yearling," "Spellbound" and "Roman Holiday."

Ethan Peck has previously appeared in "That 70s Show," the "10 Things I Hate About You" show and the Netflix original film, "The Holiday Calendar."

Pike beyond 'The Cage'

Peck isn't the only new actor taking on a familiar face.

Anson Mount plays Captain Christopher Pike, who will also be making an appearance in season 2 of "Discovery."

Pike was played by Jeffrey Hunter and Sean Kenney in the Original Series and Bruce Greenwood in the Abrams' 2009 and 2013 films, "Star Trek" and "Star Trek Into Darkness."

Mount grew up watching "Star Trek," and walking onto the bridge was emotional for him.

"I grew up with the Original (Series) in syndication, Sunday nights at six o'clock on the UHF channel," Mount said. "I've seen every episode multiple times. And it was me and my friends' make-believe game that we would play Star Trek. So it was my introduction to imagination. To suddenly be asked to walk onto the bridge and sit in the captain's chair — I mean I'm starting to get emotional just talking about it."

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Mount says there is a lot to be explored with Pike.

"When you think about how much we actually know of Pike or have seen of Pike — he's got to be the most revered character that's had that little amount of screen time," Mount said. "We have one episode ... one 2-part episode — it's not even an original episode, and we have a movie in the Kelvin timeline. That's not even about Pike! So there's a lot to be explored."

So what's in store for Pike on "Discovery"?

"He is really driven to figure out these Seven Signals," Mount said, "and he will. He will stop at nothing to figure out what is going on. We get to learn a lot more about his leadership style; his relationship to Starfleet; his relationship to his crew, including that of the Enterprise; his relationship with Spock; and his relationship to the fundamental attitude of Starfleet, which is curiosity."

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