Summary
I want to seeStar Trek Beyond’s Jaylah (Sofia Boutella) inStar Trek: Strange New Worlds. InStar Trek Beyond, the 3rd of J.J. Abrams’Kelvin TimelineStar Trekmovies, Montgomery Scott (Simon Pegg) encounters Jaylah, a scavenger stranded on the planet Altamid, who is living in the downed husk of the USS Franklin. Jaylah defends Scotty and the rest of the stranded Enterprise crew members from Altamid’s other scavengers, and she ultimately helps re-launch the Franklin and defeatStar Trek Beyond’s villain, Krall (Idris Elba). From there, it’s implied that Jaylah joins Starfleet and becomes part of the USS Enterprise crew.
Canon-adjacent material like IDW’s alternate-realityStar Trek: Boldly Gocomic series has Jaylah as a Starfleet Academy cadet. Jaylah also appears inStar Trek: Fleet Command, where she is assimilated by the Borg before being liberated in-game. None of these supplementalStar Trekstories are official canon, however, leaving the doors wide open for Jaylah’s official future in theStar Trekfranchise. WithStar Trek 4in production limbo,the best way to see more Jaylah on-screen might actually be in the Prime Universe.Fortunately, there’s oneongoingStar Trekshowthat can make that happen.
Sofia Boutella: Star Trek Beyond’s Jaylah Actor Explained
Star Trek Beyond introduced brand-new character named Jaylah, played by Rebel Moon actress Sofia Boutella.
I Want To See Star Trek Beyond’s Jaylah On Strange New Worlds
Captain Pike’s Enterprise Could Find Jaylah Earlier
I want to see Jaylah inStar Trek: Strange New Worldsbecausewe never really got to see what happened to Jaylah afterStar Trek Beyond, and Jaylah was too cool of a character to waste. Sofia Boutella probably would have joined the cast ofStar Trek 4and become an interesting asset to the USS Enterprise crew, but as the years pass,Star Trek 4actually happeninglooks less and less likely.
Star Trek: Strange New Worldsis not only the last remainingStar Trekshow set in the 23rd century, butStrange New Worldsis also willing to take risks in pursuit of a good story. Jaylah could join the Prime Timeline without having to remakeStar Trek Beyond.
Previous Kelvin Timeline movies have already shown significant differences between the twoStar Trektimelines, like the USS Enterprise encountering Khan Noonien Singh (Benedict Cumberbatch) much earlier than expected inStar Trek Into Darkness.
Because of the differences in the twoStar Trektimelines, Jaylah could meet the Prime Timeline Enterprise crew earlier than she did in the Kelvin Timeline.Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount) inStrange New Worldscould meet Jaylah at any time, whether Jaylah has been stranded on Altamid, or another planet with a crashed Federation ship. As a character, Jaylah is fiercely independent but curious about the Federation from living in the USS Franklin, and willing to work with the Enterprise crew to achieve a common goal. As long as those traits are there, the details of Jaylah’s past can change.
What Would Jaylah Bring To Star Trek: Strange New Worlds?
Non-Starfleet Perspectives Have Helped Star Trek Before
To tell more of Jaylah’s story, she could stay on the USS Enterprise as an ancillary crew member with unique knowledge and skills, instead of enrolling at Starfleet Academy.Non-Starfleet characters have been a boon toStar Trekshows in the past,with different approaches to problems and different cultural values. Civilian characters likeCleveland Booker (David Ajala)inStar Trek: Discoveryor Gwyndala (Ella Purnell) inStar Trek: Prodigyhave circumvented direct orders to accomplish the crew’s goals without breaking rules. Pike isn’t much of a rule-breaker, but Jaylah could be this forStar Trek: Strange New Worlds.
Jaylah already navigates different tones as easily asStrange New Worldsdoes.
Jaylah was a fun character with a multifaceted nature that would fit right in onStrange New Worlds. I’d expect Jaylah to bring the same levity toStrange New Worldsthat she did toStar Trek Beyond, while still being a formidable force to reckon with. From Jaylah’s humorous first meeting with Scott to Jaylah’s vengeful showdown with Krall, Jaylah already navigates different tones as easily asStrange New Worldsdoes. Whether Sofia Boutella returns or Jaylah is recast, I thinkStar Trek: Strange New Worldsis a great place to see Jaylah’s story play out afterStar Trek Beyond.
