When the producers of “In Search Of” approached Zachary Quinto about headlining a reboot, he felt it might be a little too on the nose — or, in this case, the ears.

Mr. Quinto had succeeded Leonard Nimoy as Spock in the “Star Trek” film franchise, and now he was being asked to reprise Mr. Nimoy’s role as host of the paranormal docu-series, which originally ran from 1977 to 1982 and probed folk mysteries like Bigfoot, the Bermuda Triangle and the Loch Ness Monster.

“From their perspective, I was the logical choice,” Mr. Quinto said, making a perhaps unintentional Vulcan reference. In a recent telephone interview, he discussed his decision to do “In Search Of” (having its premiere Friday on History), his current Broadway run in “The Boys in the Band” and a project he had been developing with the actor Tab Hunter, who recently passed away. These are edited excerpts from that conversation.

What persuaded you to sign on for “In Search Of”?

I had some prerequisites. I wanted to be a producer so I had a hand in the new creative direction. Leonard was a host in a very traditional sense. He was in studio, often in a blazer and turtleneck, introducing prefilmed segments. I wanted to go on the journeys myself. Once I knew the producers were open to my input, I felt comfortable.