The original actors who played Spock’s (Leonard Nimoy) parents, Ambassador Sarek (Mark Lenard) and Amanda Grayson (Jane Wyatt), only appeared together once inStar Trek: The Original Seriesand didn’t share the screen again. Sarek was the Vulcan Ambassador to the United Federation of Planets, a position he held in the 23rd and 24th centuries. Amanda Grayson wasSarek’s first human wife, and she is the mother of Spock. Sarek and Amanda adopted Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green) and raised her on Vulcan alongside Spock.
Spock’s family dynamics are among the most fascinating inStar Trek.Spock and Sarekwere not on speaking terms for many years after the son chose Starfleet over his father’s wishes that Spock join the Vulcan Science Academy. Ironically, after Michael Burnham graduated from the Vulcan Science Academy but was targeted by Vulcan logic extremists because she is human, Sarek pulled strings with Starfleet to post Michael on the USS Shenzhou. All throughout,Amanda stood by Sarek’s side, and gave her children, Spock and Michael, as much love as she could while facing the continuing difficulties of living as a human on Vulcan.
InStar Trek: The Next Generation,set in the 24th century decades after Amanda Grayson’s death, Sarek was married to another human woman named Perrin (Joanna Miles).
Star Trek: The Original Series Cast & Character Guide
Star Trek: The Original Series features some of the most iconic characters in all of science fiction with the crew of the original USS Enterprise.
Spock’s Parents Only Appeared Together In Star Trek: The Original Series
Sarek and Amanda debuted in “Journey to Babel”
Ambassador Sarek and Amanda Grayson were introduced inStar Trek: The Original Seriesseason 2’s “Journey to Babel,” and this was the only time the original actors who played Spock’s parents shared the screen together. Sarek and Amanda came aboard the USS Enterprise, which carried numerous Federation dignitaries, on a journey to an important diplomatic conference. “Journey to Babel” established Spock and Sarek had not spoken for 20 years, and showed the importantrole Amanda played in Spock’s life.
Mark Lenard’s Sarek and Jane Wyatt’s Amanda did return in theStar Trekmovies, but they did not appear together on-screen. Sarek was inStar Trek III: The Search for SpockandStar Trek IV: The Voyage Home, and in both appearances, the Vulcan Ambassador was either at Admiral James T. Kirk’s (William Shatner) San Francisco home or at Federation Headquarters. Amanda’s lone movie appearance was inStar Trek IV: The Voyage Home. where she counsels Spock on Vulcan after her son’s death and resurrection.
In a vision of Spock’s birth seen inStar Trek V: The Final Frontier, young Sarek and Amanda were played by Jonathan Simpson and Cynthia Blaise.
Spock’s Kelvin Timeline Parents Appeared Together In J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek
In the film and in a deleted scene
J.J. Abrams’Star Trek(2009) rebootintroduced Ambassador Sarek (Ben Cross) and Amanda Grayson (Winona Ryder).Amanda and Sarek share the screen inStar Trek’s alternate Kelvin timeline.A deleted scene fromStar Trek(2009) shows Sarek and Amanda together during Spock’s (Zachary Quinto) on Vulcan. Later inStar Trek(2009), Sarek and Amanda are together (for the last time) when Spock tries to rescue them before the Romulan time traveler Nero (Eric Bana) destroys Vulcan. Tragically, while Sarek is beamed to the USS Enterprise, Spock watches his mother and his homeworld die.
Spock’s Parents Appeared Together In Star Trek: Discovery
Sarek and Amanda finally share the screen again
Star Trek: Discoveryseasons 1 and 2, set in 2256-2258, years beforeStar Trek: The Original Series, finally showedAmbassador Sarek (James Frain) and Amanda Grayson (Mia Kirshner) sharing the screen againinStar Trek’s Prime Timeline. Both Sarek and Amanda play crucial roles in Michael Burnham’s life, counseling her as she regained her Starfleet rank as Commander and redeemed herself after becoming Starfleet’s first mutineer. Amanda and Sarek were also important in helping Michael save Lt. Spock (Ethan Peck) inStar Trek: Discoveryseason 2.
Star Trek: Discovery showed the closeness between Sarek and Amanda Grayson.
Sarek and Amanda were together to watch Commander Michael Burnham’s speech to the Federation at theend ofStar Trek: Discoveryseason 1, Flashbacks inStar Trek: Discoveryseason 2’s premiere showed how Sarek and Amanda welcomed young Michael Burnham (Arista Arhin) to their home on Vulcan and introduced her to young Spock (Liam Hughes).Star Trek: Discoveryshowed the closeness between Sarek and Amanda Grayson thatStar Trek: The Original Seriesonly showed once.
