We are getting more little details about the second season of Star Trek: Discovery, which is over halfway through production and set to premiere in early 2019. Sonequa Martin-Green reveals more about the tone of the new season and what effect Anson Mount’s Pike has on the crew, plus we have some more details on what is happening today on set.

Pike sets tone for lighter second season

In an interview with the official Star Trek site, Discovery star Sonequa Martin-Green talked about how the introduction of Anson Mount’s Captain Pike affects the crew of the USS Discovery in season two:

A crew is almost defined by the essence of the captain. We went through the ringer with Lorca, and so there’s a little bit of PTSD there. There’s a little bit of distrust there because of what we’ve gone through and because we had someone who manipulated us and sought to kill us for his own gain. And so, Pike being the deeply rooted good guy he is, he is going to have an effect on us. He’s soothing in that way. He’s comforting in that way. And hopefully you will see us sort of galvanize because of that.

In recent panels and interviews, the creatives and cast for Discovery have talked about how the second season will have a lighter tone than the first, which was dominated by war and a trip to the very dark Mirror Universe.

Martin-Green had this to say about tone:

[T]here’s a little more joy just because we aren’t at war. We’re able to smile a little bit more. There’s a sense of levity that’s there simply because we’re not fighting for our lives.

The actress also confirmed that her character Michael Burnham will lighten up a bit as well:

Oh yeah, for sure. There’s certainly a heaviness that is present with me as Burnham, just because of everything that is driving me and because there are deep-seated problems there. So, those are still at play, for sure. But yes, you see the smile, and you see the chuckles that we allow ourselves to have, including Burnham, because we’re not fighting.

More Disco Bits: Episode 9 begins today with Frakes and new writer

Here are some more Star Trek: Discovery-related bits of interest from social media.

More Frakes

Star Trek: The Next Generation’s Jonathan Frakes is currently in Toronto to direct the ninth episode of Discovery‘s second season. A couple of days ago he revealed his special Riker cake, given to him by the art department. Now the designer of the cake — Arlo Designs in Toronto, who have done a number of cakes for the production staff — has revealed some more behind-the-scenes photos of the cake and Frakes on Instagram (click/swipe for more photos).

The Originals writer/producer penned episode 9

We now know that Frakes will be directing a script from a new hire for Discovery. Michelle Paradise, who has spent the last few years as a writer and co-executive producer on the CW Vampire Diaries spin-off The Originals, revealed on Twitter that her first episode of Discovery is just starting to shoot today, and she expressed her excitement over having Frakes direct it.

My first episode of Star Trek started shooting today. How lucky am I to have this guy as its director 👉👉👉 @jonathansfrakes. Happy Day 1 everyone! — Michelle Paradise (@michelleparadis) September 13, 2018

Behind the scenes at Emmys

Discovery editor Scott Gamzon revealed some behind-the-scenes photos of some of the post-production staff who were at the Creative Arts Emmys over the weekend, as part of Star Trek being given the Governor’s Award.

Was unable to attend but so glad that the #StarTrekDiscovery post, sound & VFX teams were represented in the @StarTrek tribute at the Creative Arts @emmys. Among those in attendance were my fellow editors @JonDudeEdits, Andrew Coutts, Steve Haugen (S1) & producer April Nocifora. pic.twitter.com/LJixjzVBi6 — Scott Gamzon, ACE 🏳️‍🌈 (@ScottGamzon) September 12, 2018

Cast tweets of the day: school picture day for Doug and Mary

Star Trek: Discovery actors Doug Jones and Mary Chieffo chose today to reveal some of their classic looks from back before they were wearing prosthetic makeup for a living.

#TBT I just celebrated my 40 year high school class reunion, and this page from my 1977/78 senior yearbook might explain where it all started for me on the @BishopChatardHS stage. You may thank/blame my drama teacher, Nancy Montgomery for all this!! pic.twitter.com/dAKMk1k2mo — Doug Jones (@actordougjones) September 13, 2018

Star Trek: Discovery is available exclusively in the USA on CBS All Access. It airs in Canada on Space and streams on CraveTV. It is available on Netflix everywhere else.

The first season of Star Trek: Discovery will be released on Blu-ray and DVD on November 13th.

Keep up with all the Star Trek: Discovery news here at TrekMovie.