Beneath the Stars: Unraveling Christina Chong's Enigmatic Journey in Strange New Worlds
La'an Noonien-Singh, portrayed by Christina Chong, has quickly become a beloved character in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Discover why this breakout character has captured the hearts of fans in this captivating article
Summary
Lt. La'an Noonien-Singh, played by Christina Chong, is a new character in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds with connections to Khan Noonien-Singh.
La'an, the Chief of Security on the USS Enterprise, is a character who displays a serious nature but also reveals emotional vulnerability. Christina Chong's portrayal of La'an has gained her a dedicated fan following, and the character has undergone notable development throughout the second season.
British actress Christina Chong portrays Lt. La'an Noonien-Singh in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. While La'an is a newly created character for the show, she has ties to one of Star Trek's most infamous villains. As her surname suggests, La'an is a descendant of Khan Noonien-Singh, the genetically enhanced dictator who was first introduced in the Star Trek: The Original Series episode "Space Seed." Despite her fears of following in her notorious ancestor's footsteps, La'an is vastly different from the power-hungry Khan.
In her role as the Chief of Security on the USS Enterprise, under the command of Captain Christopher Pike, La'an has faced numerous hardships throughout her life. Despite her tough exterior, she conceals a surprising amount of emotion and vulnerability. While she typically maintains a serious demeanor, La'an occasionally joins in on the fun, as seen when she expresses her love for grapplers in "Those Old Scientists." Through her understated yet powerful performance, Christina Chong consistently captivates audiences as La'an, earning the character a devoted fan following.
Christina Chong's La'an Noonien-Singh In Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Explained
La'an Noonien-Singh spent the majority of her childhood aboard the SS Puget Sound, a colony ship. Sadly, this ship was viciously attacked by the Gorn, resulting in La'an being the lone survivor. Fortunately, she was rescued by the Federation starship USS Martin Luther King Jr., where Ensign Una Chin-Riley (portrayed by Rebecca Romijn) was serving. Una provided much-needed support and help during La'an's recovery from the traumatic experience with the Gorn, and their bond turned into a lifelong friendship. Due to her infamous ancestor Khan, La'an strives to distance herself from that legacy and harbors a natural apprehension towards augments. She takes her security role on the Enterprise very seriously and tends to prioritize work over leisure activities.
Christina Chong, known for her appearances in various British television shows such as Doctor Who, Whitechapel, Monroe, Black Mirror, and Line of Duty, has also played supporting roles in two popular miniseries, 24: Live Another Day and Halo: Nightfall. Additionally, she has been featured in TV series including Syfy's Dominion, ABC's Of Kings and Prophets, and the supernatural drama Heirs of Night. In the film industry, Chong has appeared in Johnny English Reborn, Legacy, W.E., Christmas Eve, and Tom & Jerry. Notably, she has also ventured into music and recently released her debut EP titled Twin Flames.
Why La'an Is One Of Strange New Worlds' Breakout Characters
La'an, portrayed by Christina Chong, is a serious and stoic character who has a deeply caring side. She excels as a security officer and has become indispensable to the Enterprise crew. La'an's extensive knowledge of the Gorn species has been invaluable to the crew, and she consistently strives to make the right choices. Although she keeps her emotions hidden, it is evident that she feels deeply. However, La'an is afraid of exposing her vulnerabilities. Chong portrays La'an with complexity, nuance, and insightfulness, and her character experiences significant growth in season 2 of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.
In episode 3 of the second season, La'an played a pivotal role in saving her reality by traveling back in time alongside an alternate universe version of James T. Kirk, portrayed by Paul Wesley. Although she successfully restored the correct timeline, Kirk tragically lost his life. La'an struggled to cope with this loss, as she was unable to share her experience with anyone. This episode allowed her to finally open up and start emerging from the influence of Khan Noonien-Singh, who has cast a shadow over her. Moving forward, viewers can anticipate exciting developments for La'an Noonien-Singh, as portrayed by Christina Chong, who has proven to be one of the standout characters in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2 streams Thursdays on Paramount+.
