A case of mistaken identity pins Una as a virtuous kingpin against a Klingon occupation, and challenges her core understanding of what it means to be an effective leader.

Anson Mount (Captain Christopher Pike)
Ethan Peck (Lieutenant Spock)
Jess Bush (Nurse Christine Chapel)
Christina Chong (Lt. La'an Noonien-Singh)
Celia Rose Gooding (Ensign Nyota Uhura)
Melissa Navia (Lt. Erica Ortegas)
Babs Olusanmokun (Dr. Joseph M'Benga)
Martin Quinn (Lt. Montgomery Scott)
Rebecca Romijn (Commander Una Chin-Riley)

Demore Barnes (Commander Kor)
Albert Chung (Ja'Lem)
Andy McQueen (Roman)

Jess L. Callaghan (Mat'Aaran Collaborator 1)
Bao Quoc Huynh (Mat'Aaran Collaborator 2)
Alex Kapp (U.S.S. Enterprise Computer)
Ewa Kasp (Traitor)
Zemeta Ketema (Café Patron)
Bianca Nugara (Cadet A'Sha)
Diego O'Brien (Waiter)
Raj Paul (Klingon Guard 1)
Jamillah Ross (Klingon Operator)
Alex Spencer (Klingon Town Crier)
Jordan Till (Mat'Aaran Man)

• Radiation from the Mat'Aaran star affects how color is perceived, rendering everything in black and white.
  
• Mat'Aar XII is occupied by the Klingons. The Mat'Aarans look human, and their society has a 1940's film noir look (chiaroscuro).
  
• Commander Kor was played by John Colicos in the classic episode "Errand of Mercy". He appears with cranial ridges here (as he does in his two Deep Space Nine episodes).