Paul Giamatti is set to stir intrigue and excitement in Paramount+’s latest Star Trek series, Starfleet Academy, as he steps into the shoes of a mysterious villain. The show’s plot remains tightly under wraps, but in a recent discussion with Collider’s Steve Weintraub, Giamatti offered tidbits about his character’s role. He admitted, “He takes great pleasure in being the villain. He likes it. And it’s very much a part of his thing that he’s all ‘Oh yeah, I’m the bad guy.'”
Giamatti also shared his awe for the show’s impressive sets in Toronto. These sets include the largest indoor stage ever constructed for a Star Trek series—a fact confirmed by Jonathan Frakes—and a remarkable starship bridge. “The bridge is really impressive in this one,” Giamatti explained. “As impressive as the huge one is, I think the bridge is more impressive,” revealing the central role of these settings in enhancing the Starfleet narrative.
The journey to Giamatti’s involvement in Star Trek began with the press surrounding his Oscar-nominated role in The Holdovers. As he shared, “It was the advantage of going through the awards thing and having people ask me about stuff I’d like to do. I was like ‘Gosh, I love Star Trek,’ and I think that actually must have worked for once in my life. I put it out in the universe and it came back.”
Although a lifelong fan, Giamatti clarifies that he isn’t a “superfan” but he definitely appreciates the franchise. Reflecting on the series, he mentioned, “I do really kind of love it. I haven’t watched all the iterations, but I’ve watched a lot of it.”
With Starfleet Academy’s first season freshly wrapped, Giamatti has indeed taken a memento with him, gifted, rather than pilfered, by the production team. As he told Collider, “I was actually given something of my character’s. They said ‘Do you want to take this?’ and I did.”
The series picks up from where Star Trek: Discovery concluded, transporting viewers to the 32nd century where the Federation is emerging from disaster. The Academy is bustling once again, ready to immerse its new students, portrayed by Zoë Steiner, Bella Shepard, Kerrice Brooks, George Hawkins, Karim Diané, and Sandro Rosta, into a world filled with adventure and perils. Joining the mix are Holly Hunter as the Academy’s chancellor and a slew of Starfleet veterans and fresh faces. Notably, Orphan Black’s Tatiana Maslany and professional wrestler Becky Lynch will add their talents to the cast in unspecified roles.
Giamatti hinted at embracing the legacy of iconic Star Trek antagonists, drawing inspiration from past villains, blending nostalgia with novelty. “To my mind, it feels very, very old-school Star Trek,” he teased. “My character is a very fun villain; he reminds me of a combination of classic Trek villains.”
In addition to Starfleet Academy, Giamatti’s schedule is packed. He returns as Harold Levinson in Downton Abbey 3 and tackles the role of radio host Art Bell in an upcoming sci-fi venture. Starfleet Academy’s premiere remains under wraps, but anticipation builds for its upcoming debut. Stay tuned for more updates as Starfleet Academy charts its course on Paramount+.
