Star Trek's Babs Olusanmokun: Discover the Untold Journey of Dr M'Benga in Strange New Worlds!
Babs Olusanmokun brings a fresh perspective to the character of Dr M'Benga in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, reimagining the role for the modern era Discover how this exciting new series enhances and improves upon the original portrayal from Star Trek: TOS
Summary
The character of Dr. M'Benga in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is elevated with a delightful touch of depth and warmth by the incredible portrayal of Babs Olusanmokun. With his remarkable performance, Olusanmokun brings a new level of depth and likability to the character, surpassing his earlier appearances in TOS.
Dr. M'Benga in Strange New Worlds is depicted as a proficient fighter and combat medic, boasting a complex background that encompasses his participation in the Klingon War and Starfleet's special forces. The creators of the show ingeniously integrated Olusanmokun's expertise in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with the character of Dr. M'Benga, enhancing the authenticity and depth of his skill set.
Nigerian actor Babs Olusanmokun takes on the role of Dr. Joseph M'Benga in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. Originally portrayed by Booker Bradshaw in the second season episode "A Private Little War" of Star Trek: The Original Series, Dr. M'Benga only appeared once more in the third season episode "That Which Survives." In Strange New Worlds, Dr. M'Benga assumes the position of Chief Medical Officer on the USS Enterprise, commanded by Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount). Notably, Dr. M'Benga possesses a complex background, excelling as a healer while also displaying mastery in combat.
In Star Trek: The Original Series, Dr. M'Benga surrenders his role as Chief Medical Officer to Dr. Leonard "Bones" McCoy (DeForest Kelley), yet continues to serve as a general physician on the Enterprise. TOS viewers gain limited knowledge about Dr. M'Benga, discovering that he underwent a thorough medical internship on the Vulcan planet, therefore possessing extensive knowledge of Vulcan physiology. Despite sparse information, Strange New Worlds and Babs Olusanmokun succeed in reinventing the character in a captivating manner.
Babs Olusanmokun & Dr. M'Benga In Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Explained
Before his tenure as the Chief Medical Officer of the Enterprise, M'Benga served as a combat medic during the Klingon War, where he first encountered Nurse Christine Chapel (Jess Bush). During his service, M'Benga was part of Starfleet's special forces, earning the moniker "Ghost" and holding the record for the highest number of confirmed hand-to-hand kills. Despite his intention to focus solely on medicine, M'Benga found himself reluctantly taking up arms again during his time on the front lines at J'Gal. In the late 2250s, M'Benga assumed the role of CMO on the Enterprise, working alongside Nurse Chapel. Additionally, he has a daughter named Rukiya (Sage Arrindell), who, afflicted with an incurable illness, merged with an alien entity to become a being of pure consciousness.
Babs Olusanmokun, an actor since 2004, has made guest appearances on various popular television shows, including Veronica Mars, Law & Order: SVU, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Blue Bloods, The Blacklist, and Gotham. He portrayed Omoro Kinte in the History Channel's 2016 adaptation of Roots. Olusanmokun also appeared as Sowande in Marvel's The Defenders and in the Black Mirror episode "Black Museum." He played General Azikiwe in Prime Video's The Widow and Damian in the miniseries Too Old to Die Young. In 2021, Olusanmokun starred in Guy Ritchie's Wrath of Man and Denis Villeneuve's Dune. Notably, Babs Olusanmokun possesses a third-degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, which the creators of Strange New Worlds integrated into the character of Dr. M'Benga.
How Strange New Worlds Changed Dr. M'Benga From Star Trek: TOS For The Better
Dr. M'Benga was a relatively unknown character prior to his appearances in Star Trek: The Original Series. In the episode "A Private Little War," he showcased his expertise in Vulcan physiology by aiding Spock after he was shot. Despite limited screen time, M'Benga proved to be a skilled doctor, although somewhat emotionally distant. His brief cameo in "That Which Survives" involved overseeing an autopsy for a deceased crew member with mysterious circumstances.
However, Babs Olusanmokun's portrayal of M'Benga in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds has provided a profound depth to the character. The show has supplied M'Benga with an intriguing backstory, enriching his development. Olusanmokun's portrayal brings warmth to the character, contrasting with his previous lack of it in TOS. Despite a violent past, M'Benga's genuine compassion and attentive nature towards his patients shine through. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds not only fills in the gaps of Dr. M'Benga's background, but also transforms him into a captivating and likable character.
