TrekMovie had the chance to chat with some of the cast of Star Trek: Discovery at the Star Trek Las Vegas convention, including actor Shazad Latif. We talked about returning complex role of Tyler (formerly Voq), the tone of the season, and who he has worked with (and wants to work with) in season two. We have highlights in the article along with a full video of the interview below.

Just call him “Voqler,” but don’t ask him to return to the makeup chair

The big thing for Shazad Latif during the first season was maintaining the secret that his character of Tyler was actually the Klingon Voq. The actor talked about what’s next for him (or them) in season two.

Now that the secret, it’s more about the repercussions. It is more of a balancing act. He is stuck between Starfleet and the Klingons, and how you would handle that. And the fallout, who he has hurt, how he is going to repair stuff, the intimate relationships with L’Rell and Burnham. That’s enough for anyone.

Latif also talked about how the second season has a lighter tone, like more traditional Trek:

The first one was set in wartime and it was very dark, it had to be. My character was dealing with very deep issues and going through a lot of pain and struggle, which is very great for drama. I think this [season] is very much like the old Trek. It has got more lighter moments, which balance it out even more, which I think everyone is going to love.

As for what to call his character that started as Voq, but became Tyler and now has this balancing act, Latif joked it could be “Tosh,” but agreed “Voqler” works. As for the Star Trek: Short Treks the actor didn’t have much to say except to reveal he will not be part of any of the four short episodes, which will be released monthly in the fall.

Latif also said that so far he has not done any more scenes in full Klingon makeup as Voq, and sent out a plea that he hopes it stays that way, joking that if they do need a flashback, he wants a high tech solution:

I hope not [having to do Voq makeup]. I am asking though. No more. …CGI flashbacks — I’d put on the [motion capture] suit. Nothing on the face!

First episode back was emotional for L’Rell and Tyler, wants more scenes with Tilly

When asked if anything has been particularly challenging this season, Latif talked about filming the first episode back featuring Tyler and L’Rell (Mary Chieffo):

It is always a challenge. When it is a particular episode – we left with me and L’Rell going back to the Klingons – there is a whole episode about that kind of stuff. I can’t say much, but it is a very emotional episode to get back into it when you meet them again. It is always tough to film that kind of stuff, big emotion stuff. It is such high stakes. It is in space. L’Rell is [Chancellor]. These are big ideals. So, you have to really focus and go there 100 percent, because if you go there ninety percent, nobody is going to believe you.

When talking about who else he has worked with in the second season so far, the actor also revealed that he has yet to do any scenes with Anson Mount (Captain Pike) or the recently announced Ethan Peck playing Spock, but he said he was “sure” to do so before the season ended. He also revealed he very much wants to get some lighter scenes with Mary Wiseman’s Tilly, like they had earlier in the first season:

I am trying to get me and Tilly — get more scenes of us together, because in real life we are so close. There is an essence of it in episodes six and seven [in season one] when we meet in the mess hall. There are elements of us all sort of laughing together and then it sort of — I want more of that! More! …She get’s [Tyler]. There is a good friendship there.

Watch the full interview with Shazad Latif

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