Strange New Worlds: Dave Foley on Guest-Starring, Spock, KITH & More

Posted in: Paramount+, Star Trek, TV | Tagged: star trek, strange new worlds

Strange New Worlds: Dave Foley on Guest-Starring, Spock, KITH & More

Dave Foley (Murdoch Mysteries) spoke with us about his guest-starring role on Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Spock fandom, KITH update & more.

Published Thu, 06 Aug 2026 20:37:10 -0500
by Tom Chang
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Article Summary

• Dave Foley talks Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, making his live-action debut after voicing a role on Lower Decks.
• Foley breaks down “Human Best Friend,” praising its Original Series-style fun, psychedelics theme, and playful tone.
• The Kids in the Hall star shares his lifelong Spock fandom, from Leonard Nimoy to Ethan Peck’s take on the icon.
• Foley also teases a Kids in the Hall reunion, with talks of a new TV project, a film, and a possible tour.

Dave Foley has carved out an impressive couple of careers for himself, first as a member of the legendary Canadian comedy troupe, The Kids in the Hall, amassing an eclectic filmography, appearing in a range of comedies and dramas, and he's even dabbled in directing. While he's made his Star Trek debut in the animated series Lower Decks, he makes his live-action debut on the latest Strange New Worlds episode, "Human Best Friend." When the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise finds itself on shore leave, the planet they visit, which is hosted by Dendru (Foley), turns out to loosen their inhibitions to zany results, and it's up to the two officers most at odds with each other, Scotty (Martin Quinn) and Ortegas (Melissa Navia), to find out what happened. Foley spoke with Bleeding Cool about living his childhood dream and exploring the Enterprise, how the episode represents a throwback to The Original Series, working with director Yana Gorskaya, his love for Spock, how Galaxy Quest inspired his character, and an update on the future of The Kids in the Hall.

Strange New Worlds: Dave Foley on His Star Trek Return Journey

Bleeding Cool: This is your second time back in the Star Trek space, and I'm wondering what you enjoy about playing this world, going from 'Lower Decks' into 'Strange New Worlds?'

Foley: Well, for one thing, I got to be around other actors, so that's nice. That's a lot more fun. I mean, it was great to be able to get to do 'Lower Decks,' because I think it's a fun show for me. It was like, "Any way to be involved with the Star Trek world" was exciting for me, but to actually get to be on the sets [on 'SNW'], to be wandering around the Enterprise and even on my day off, I actually went out to where they have the big LED screen, like the volume set that they have. I went out there and geeked out with all the people that ran the tech for that. So, it was a very exciting, nerdy excursion for me.

What did you enjoy about your role in the latest episode 'Human Best Friend?'

Yeah. I love that one thing I love about the episode is the power of psychedelics to heal and transform, help people transform, which I think is a real thing that is something that the world is coming back around to realizing. Also, you get to be a part of one of the long traditions of lighthearted episodes of Star Trek, because I grew up on 'The Original Series,' which could be very heavy at times. Then they would always give you that moment to just have fun and enjoy the characters. I felt like this was an episode like that. It has its serious underpinnings to it, but it's mostly fun, so I enjoyed that. I liked that I got to be playful, silly, and dress up.

What did you like working with Yana as your director and creative in this episode?

Oh, it was fantastic, really fun set to be on, a loose and creative. This was a lot of an environment where people could play around and have fun. I can't speak highly enough of it. It was a great experience all around.

Was there a Star Trek character that resonated with you the most in general throughout the years?

Well, I grew up idolizing Spock. I mean, all the cool kids, all the cool, tricky nerds loved Spock. I wanted to be Spock. I remember trying to study logic, trying to be more like Spock as a kid, so I've always had a huge love of that character. Many years ago, I was directed by [TOS star and original Spock actor] Leonard Nimoy in 'Three Men and a Baby' (1987), so that was exciting.

What's your impression of Ethan (Peck) in the role?

Yeah, so I remember seeing him in 'Star Trek Discovery' and thinking, "It was great the way they introduced him with a beard and kind of shaggy hair, like beatnik Spock." You're going, "Oh, I don't know, this is a very different Spock," and then he becomes transformed. Now I find myself, when I think of Spock in my head, I think about Ethan. His face comes up, which is pretty impressive, and he's really made that character his own creation while staying very true to what 'The Original Series' outlined.

Yeah, I always thought ('Human Best Friend') felt like a throwback episode that I really enjoyed.

Ethan does look a little more like he has 10 times the strength of a human than Leonard Nimoy did.

Yeah. I was wondering, in your various roles throughout your career, including this one, have you been tempted to perhaps repurpose or redo one of your 'Kids in the Hall' characters and thinking, "Hey! You know what? This would work as this guy?"

I don't think so…any of them really for this, as I said; I think I might be guilty of stealing a little bit of Enrico Colantoni's character [Mathesar] in 'Galaxy Quest' (1999). I think I may have stolen a little bit from him, whom I admire as an actor and as a friend. Hopefully, he won't be mad.

I think he would be flattered, personally. Final question: What's the future for you and the 'Kids in the Hall' after that Prime Video revival season? Are you planning to do another season, a film, or touring?

Yeah, actually, we're talking about trying to put together a new project right now, maybe doing something new for television. We've also been talking about trying to make a film together again and going on tour. We're always negotiating with each other in terms of schedule and what we want to focus on, but there's always the notion that as long as we're all five of us are still alive, we want to keep doing stuff together.

New episodes of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, which also stars Anson Mount, Rebecca Romijn, Babs Olusanmokun, Christina Chong, Celia Rose Gooding, Paul Wesley, and Jess Bush, stream Thursdays on Paramount+.

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