Star Trek saga casts new Spock actor Ethan Peck

Three years on from Leonard Nimoy's death, a new actor has been chosen to play his most iconic role - Star Trek science officer Mr Spock.

Ethan Peck said it was "an incomparable honour" to be cast as the pointy-eared alien in TV show Star Trek: Discovery.

Peck, grandson of Oscar-winner Gregory, will join the show when it returns for its second season next year.

The 32-year-old celebrated by posting a photo of himself with Nimoy's family giving Spock's famous Vulcan salute.

Born in Los Angeles in 1986, Peck has experience when it comes to taking on characters associated with other actors.

His previous roles include Patrick Verona - Heath Ledger's character in 10 Things I Hate About You - in the TV version of that 1999 film.

Alex Kurtzman, Star Trek: Discovery's executive producer, said in a statement that Peck would "effortlessly embody Spock's greatest qualities".

Set before the events of the original 1960s TV series, the show can be streamed on CBS All Access in the US and on Netflix around the world.