Holly Hunter’s portrayal of Captain Nahla Ake in Star Trek: Starfleet Academy offers an unconventional and intriguing presence, breaking away from the typical commanding officer archetype. Premiering on Paramount+, the new series places Hunter’s Nahla at the center of its narrative, delivering a performance infused with a relaxed, creative vibe that captures both authority and unpredictability. Meanwhile, Paul Giamatti’s Starfleet role as Nus Braka, a half-Klingon, half-Tellarite antagonist, adds a potent dynamic to the show’s evolving storyline.
Character Depth Through Unique Physicality and Backstory
Hunter’s approach to Nahla Ake stems from personal research into the character’s name origins, which relate to the Arabic term for
“first drink of water in the desert.”
This inspired Hunter to embody a fluid, adaptive style, reflected in how she often sits informally in the captain’s chair—cross-legged or in unusual positions—signifying an unorthodox leadership style. These choices bring a feline-like flexibility and ease to Nahla’s character, which Hunter describes as awakening different emotional responses among fellow actors during scenes.
Paul Giamatti’s character Nus Braka, in contrast, is crafted as a formidable antagonist shaped by the ambitious traits of two aggressive alien species. Nus’s backstory intersects with Nahla’s when he is involved in a key incident that separates a young boy, Caleb Mir (played by Sandro Rosta), from his mother (Tatiana Maslany). With Nahla now serving as chancellor of the reestablished Starfleet Academy, she offers Caleb a path to reunite with his mother by recruiting him into the Academy.
How the Cast Brings New Energy to Star Trek
Star Trek on Paramount+ embarks on a bold new chapter with Hunter and Giamatti leading the cast. Their casting surprises some, considering Hunter’s smaller stature and reputation for dramatic roles in movies like The Piano and Home for the Holidays, paired with Giamatti’s blend of mainstream and indie film credentials, such as his work in Billions and Alexander Payne’s films. The show’s creators, including Alex Kurtzman and Noga Landau, designed much of the series with Hunter in mind, recognizing her unique potential to reimagine Starfleet’s leadership.
Hunter recalls an unusually warm and pressure-free introduction to the showrunners before production began. Rather than the typical minimal interactions prior to filming, she experienced a collaborative atmosphere that fostered creative freedom, which she found refreshing.
Paul Giamatti’s Journey to a Star Trek Villain
Giamatti’s path to the role of Nus Braka emerged from a genuine desire to portray a Klingon, shared publicly during a press event for his 2023 film The Holdovers. This wish quickly caught the attention of the Star Trek creators, who reached out to him within a day to offer multiple role options. Giamatti chose Nus, embracing the formidable villainous side of his character. He recounts the experience as almost surreal:
“I’ve always wanted to play a Klingon, but it was not something I actually thought was ever gonna come to pass,”
Paul Giamatti, Actor
“I can’t think of anything else manifesting like that, that I’ve said and that it actually happened.”
Paul Giamatti, Actor
This spontaneity extended into Giamatti’s performance style, where he pushed boundaries, taking liberties with aggression and intensity that the creators mostly encouraged. He describes the process as feeling like
“heading for a cliff at 95 miles an hour,”
a metaphor underscoring the risk and thrill of his approach, while he was given wide latitude to explore Nus’s volatile nature:
“I had my pedal to the metal,”
Paul Giamatti, Actor
“They really allowed me to be pretty big. I said to them early on, ‘I’m playing this combination of two incredibly aggressive alien species. You okay if I really go for the aggression? And they said, ‘Absolutely.’ Most of it felt in danger of going off the edge of a cliff, but I don’t think I did.”
Paul Giamatti, Actor
The On-Screen Chemistry Between Hunter and Giamatti
The collaboration between Hunter and Giamatti significantly enhances the series, providing compelling exchanges that showcase their characters’ volatile yet magnetic relationship. One notable scene from the premiere episode highlights this chemistry as Nus invades Nahla’s ship, which also functions as the Starfleet Academy, and the two characters engage in tense dialogue on the command deck.
“There’s something really excited about working with Paul,”
Holly Hunter, Actress
“I just felt, I don’t know, a kinship with [him] being on set. Paul’s up for anything.”
Holly Hunter, Actress
“I feel like I was having too much fun,”
Paul Giamatti, Actor
“Occasionally, I thought somebody needed to come to sedate me.”
Paul Giamatti, Actor
Significance and Future Prospects for the Series
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy marks an important evolution in the franchise, blending fresh faces and established talent to explore new storylines within the Star Trek universe. With Season 2 already underway, the intense and unpredictable performances of Hunter and Giamatti set a promising tone for the show’s direction, capturing viewers’ attention through their dynamic portrayals. Their distinctive approach to character development and interplay suggests that the series will continue to offer a vivid mix of drama, conflict, and innovation in upcoming episodes.
