"Star Trek: Discovery" is set to add an iconic character from the franchise to the fold in its second season, and now, the series has revealed who will be playing him.

Actor Ethan Peck (who starred in the short-lived TV adaptation of "10 Things I Hate About You") will join "Discovery" as Spock, the half-Vulcan, half-human officer previously played by Leonard Nimoy and Zachary Quinto. Those are some pretty big shoes to fill, though Peck has an impressive pedigree himself: He's the grandson of Hollywood legend Gregory Peck.

According to "Discovery" showrunner Alex Kurtzman, the search for the new Spock was painstaking, but the creative team is confident that Peck is the best fit for the famous role. In a statement, Kurtzman said:

"Through 52 years of television and film, a parallel universe and a mirror universe, Mr. Spock remains the only member of the original bridge crew to span every era of Star Trek. The great Leonard Nimoy, then the brilliant Zachary Quinto, brought incomparable humanity to a character forever torn between logic and emotion. We searched for months for an actor who would, like them, bring his own interpretation to the role. An actor who would, like them, effortlessly embody Spock’s greatest qualities, beyond obvious logic: empathy, intuition, compassion, confusion and yearning. Ethan Peck walked into the room inhabiting all of these qualities, aware of his daunting responsibility to Leonard, Zack and the fans, and ready to confront the challenge in the service of protecting and expanding on Spock’s legacy. In that spirit, we’re thrilled to welcome him to the family."

This time around, Spock will once again assume the role of chief science officer, now serving under Capt. Christopher Pike (fellow new series regular Anson Mount) on the USS Discovery. He's also the foster brother of Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green).

"Star Trek: Discovery" will return to CBS All Access sometime next year.

[via: The Hollywood Reporter]