--- title: "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/tv/star-trek-strange-new-worlds/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/tv/star-trek-strange-new-worlds" critics_score: 82 critics_reviews: 13 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (2022): what the critics said Critics' score 82 from 13 reviews: 12 positive, 1 mixed, 0 negative. Most critics are pleased, and pleased in the same way. The reviews agree that the series goes back to self-contained episodes and a hopeful tone after years of darker, serialised Star Trek, and that it feels like the franchise again as a result. Praise clusters on the ensemble, which settles quickly into a likeable crew, and above all on Anson Mount’s Pike, described as sensitive, decent and a straightforward good man at the centre. Several reviews call it the best Star Trek in decades; more than one notes it works as a workplace drama. Reservations are mild and the spread is narrow. A few critics find the moral lessons cloying or ham-fisted, and Empire says it is content to play the hits without much that is strange or new. Radio Times notes a couple of wooden performances. The one mixed review, from The Times, finds it pleasant but unremarkable, without the excitement of the original. Reviews of the later seasons stay warm. ## Vulture — Angelica Jade Bastién and Kathryn VanArendonk Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 13 June 2022. The critics praise Strange New Worlds as the best Star Trek in decades for recapturing the franchise's core spirit of episodic adventures, hope, and character-driven storytelling while learning from past entries. They single out the strong ensemble chemistry and Anson Mount's Pike as key strengths that make the series feel authentically like Star Trek again. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/article/star-trek-strange-new-worlds-yes.html) ## The Independent — Ted Anthony Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 6 July 2022. The series revives the appeal of self-contained, episodic Star Trek storytelling amid a landscape of heavily serialized shows. It is praised for its varied genre experiments, humanism, optimism, and workplace-drama feel that resonates in post-pandemic times. [Read the review](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/star-trek-picard-ap-people-rotten-tomatoes-united-states-b2116745.html) ## IndieWire — Christian Blauvelt Rating B+. 1 May 2022. The series elegantly uses its 23rd-century setting to comment on contemporary issues like political division, while maintaining high production values and strong ethical themes. It singles out Anson Mount's sensitive, soulful performance as Captain Pike as a standout addition to the franchise. [Read the review](https://www.indiewire.com/2022/05/star-trek-strange-new-worlds-review-1234721040/) ## Radio Times — Huw Fullerton Rating 4/5. 1 May 2022. The critic calls it the real thing at last, a modern live-action series that actually feels like classic Star Trek with satisfying, close-ended episodic stories and an optimistic tone. It nails the basics of what made the original great, though a couple of performances are wooden and one character feels underdeveloped. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/star-trek-strange-new-worlds-review/) ## The Telegraph Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 17 July 2025. Season three is a romping return to the interstellar camp and fun of the original series, delivering everything a Trekkie could want with strong homages to classic characters and episodes. [Read the review](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/2025/07/17/star-trek-strange-new-worlds-paramount-review/) ## The Hollywood Reporter Fi1m's normalised score 78/100 (inferred from the text). 4 May 2022. The critic finds it an amiable and entertaining throwback that quickly establishes a likable ensemble and hopeful ethos reminiscent of the original series and its procedural elements. It may aim for something less ambitious than recent Trek shows but is more successful overall. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-reviews/paramounts-star-trek-strange-new-worlds-tv-review-1235140095/) ## Variety — Zack Handlen Fi1m's normalised score 78/100 (inferred from the text). 2 May 2022. The critic says the show succeeds by going back to basics with a likable cast, straightforward good guy Pike and fun, episodic sci-fi adventures that avoid over-serialization. It is entertaining and rarely insulting though not groundbreaking, occasionally cloying or ham-fisted in its moral lessons. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2022/tv/reviews/star-trek-strange-new-worlds-tv-review-paramount-plus-1235255901/) ## Empire — Owen Williams Fi1m's normalised score 76/100 (inferred from the text). 22 June 2022. The critic praises the nostalgic, colourful and episodic 'Nostalgia Trek' approach with a strong cast and snappy writing that feels comfortably familiar. It is visually stunning and engaging but ultimately content to play the Star Trek hits without quite enough that is strange or new. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/tv/reviews/star-trek-strange-new-worlds/) ## The Times — Hugo Rifkind Fi1m's normalised score 66/100 (inferred from the text). 23 June 2022. The critic finds the series pleasant but unremarkable, with familiar episodic Trek structure and likeable characters, yet lacking the wistful magic or excitement of the original. [Read the review](https://www.thetimes.com/culture/tv-radio/article/star-trek-strange-new-worlds-review-gzbtnntqj) ## Den of Geek — Lacy Baugher Rating 5/5. 5 May 2022. The premiere is a thrilling, joyous return to Star Trek's foundational principles of hope and exploration, anchored by Anson Mount's note-perfect performance as Pike. It stands out for its impeccable casting, fun tone, thoughtful character dynamics, and refusal to descend into grimdark territory. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/star-trek-strange-new-worlds-episode-1-review/) ## Paste — Terry Terrones Rating 9.0. 1 May 2022. The critic calls the series an absolute blast and the best Star Trek since The Next Generation, praising its compelling characters, episodic format, and deep roots in the original series lore. They single out Captain Pike's integrity and leadership, along with strong performances from the cast including new characters like Hemmer, as highlights. [Read the review](https://www.pastemagazine.com/tv/star-trek-strange-new-worlds/star-trek-strange-new-worlds-review) ## The Ringer — Ben Lindbergh Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 6 May 2022. The critic finds the series a triumphant return to the franchise's familiar episodic roots after divisive serialized storytelling in prior entries. It makes a strong case for the continuing appeal of classic Trek through its structure, cast, and familiar throwback elements. [Read the review](https://www.theringer.com/2022/05/06/tv/star-trek-strange-new-worlds-premiere-review) ## /Film — Witney Seibold Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 12 June 2023. The second season continues the show's strong start with exhilarating stories, organic character growth, and a light, whimsical touch that makes it approachable and fun. It focuses on individual crew members' dramas while leaning into classic Trek's utopian ideals and episodic structure. [Read the review](https://www.slashfilm.com/1300328/star-trek-strange-new-worlds-season-2-review/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/tv/star-trek-strange-new-worlds.md