Meredith has affiliate partnerships. These do not influence editorial content, though Meredith may earn commissions for products purchased via affiliate links.

Star Trek type Movie

Rainn Wilson’s first big-screen role was an alien fanboy in Galaxy Quest, a movie spoof of cultish sci-fi series like Star Trek. Now, he’s getting a taste of the real thing: On Friday, CBS announced the Office funny guy has landed a role in the forthcoming Star Trek: Discovery, playing someone fans of the original 1960s series will know well.

Wilson will suit up as Harry Mudd, the eccentric space pirate first played by the late Roger C. Carmel in the sixth episode of season 1, dubbed “Mudd’s Women,” which aired in 1966. Mudd’s list of offenses include smuggling, transportation of stolen goods, and using counterfeit currency. The character would later appear elsewhere in the franchise, including the Star Trek animated series and novels.

Not much is known about Wilson’s take on the character beyond the brief descriptor of a “charismatic conman and intergalactic criminal.”

What makes Wilson’s casting in Discovery even more satisfying is the actor’s love of Trek. In 2008, the comedian posed for an EW photoshoot in which he channeled fictional TV icons, including Patrick Stewart’s Jean-Luc Picard from Star Trek: The Next Generation.

Image zoom Steve Granitz/WireImage

“As I was playing Jean-Luc Picard, first of all, I thought I looked like Jean-Philippe Picard, Jean-Luc’s less successful younger brother living in his brother’s shadow, just kind of bitter,” he says in the video above. “That’s who I thought I really should play.”

“What I always loved about Star Trek [was] the intelligent, thoughtful metaphysical ideas about the human condition,” Wilson tweeted of the franchise in 2015 when Star Trek Beyond was released.

A premiere date is still unclear. The series will kick off on CBS before subsequent episodes are released on CBS All-Access.

Episode Recaps Previous 10 best Star Trek moments from Patrick Stewart's Jean-Luc Picard By Nick Romano

Star Trek: Discovery reveals 10 playful backstage photos By James Hibberd

Captain Kirk’s Uniform and 16 More Star Trek Props Hitting the Auction Block By David Canfield

Star Trek: Discovery Is Ready to Boldly Go in Premiere Photos By EW Staff

Star Trek: Discovery Exclusive: 24 Photos of the New Series By James Hibberd

18 great pop culture trios By Mary Sollosi Next