Star Trek Characters That Must Return (2026)

2. T'Pol

Star Trek Enterprise Tpol
CBS Media Ventures

Another annual entrant to this list is Jolene Blalock's T'Pol, though recent lists have been blessed. She returned in Star Trek: Lower Decks, with the penultimate episode featuring not one but two names on this list. For fans of Enterprise, hearing Jolene's voice once again was music to their ears.

For this return, perhaps we're being a bit greedy. After all, T'Pol (or at least one version of her) has already returned, so what's the problem? To be clear, there's no problem with having her return in animated form. It was a wonderful, fun, and shocking surprise. However, and we will take the moniker of being greedy fans here, Strange New Worlds is still crying out for a live-action return.

We should qualify this with a return in any live-action form would be incredible, but, for this particular Vulcan, Strange New Worlds (or Year One) would make the most sense. Simply put, the T'Pol could return, thanks to the long lives of Vulcans in Star Trek. If Jonathan Archer was present at the launch of the Enterprise, then why not T'Pol, also?

On our list of Crazy Ideas For S4 & 5 of Strange New Worlds, we expressed our hope for a flashback, showing Robert April commanding the Enterprise. If we are heading into the endgame for this era of Trek, then the window is closing for T'Pol's return. We would of course never say no, but those time periods where it would make the most sense are beginning to fade.

Having said that, did anyone expect the return of Jake Sisko in Starfleet Academy? Never say never.

Contributor
Contributor

Seán is the host and head writer/presenter for TrekCulture, as well as a writer/presenter on WhoCulture and WhatCulture Horror. He has authored two novels, dozens of short stories, and hundreds of articles for WhatCulture. He holds a Master of Arts in Creative Writing from University College Dublin. As part of his work with TrekCulture, Seán has been invited to participate in collaborations with Roddenberry Entertainment, as well as contributing to several Star Trek community projects. An avid fan of Star Trek, Doctor Who, and the horror genre at large, Seán's expertise has helped develop these channels to the successes they are today. As host of the Ups & Downs series on TrekCulture, Seán has become internationally recognised for his positive yet critically informed approach to reviewing every episode of modern Star Trek, ensuring he is one of the go-to voices in the Trek community. Favourite Quote to describe himself: "I'm serious about what I do, just not always about the way that I do it"