Holly Hunter steps into the iconic Star Trek universe with her role as Captain Nahla Ake in the new series, Star Trek: Starfleet Academy. The first two episodes are set to stream on Thursday via Paramount+, introducing audiences to a fresh chapter in the storied franchise.
Exploring a New Era in Starfleet
Set in the 32nd century, a timeline first explored in Star Trek: Discovery, Starfleet Academy focuses on the inaugural class of cadets in over a century as they prepare to become officers. Captain Nahla Ake, portrayed by Hunter, serves as the chancellor of the Academy and captain of the USS Athena. With her character being half-alien (half-Lanthanite), Hunter aims to bring a unique perspective to this new storyline.
During a recent virtual press conference, Hunter highlighted the significance of conflict in storytelling. She stated, “Stories are always about conflict, a world is in flux. Often, we have stories about broken worlds and how we are going to evolve from that — because we’re always in a state of change.”
The series delves into the Federation’s challenges following a catastrophic event known as The Burn, which occurred 125 years prior. “They’ve got to evolve to this new world. This is the beginning of that story, that conflict,” Hunter explained, emphasizing the series’ exploration of transformation amid adversity.
A Fresh Take on a Beloved Franchise
Hunter expressed excitement about being part of a series that focuses exclusively on the Academy, marking a significant departure from previous Star Trek installments. “What’s so cool is this is the first ‘Star Trek’ iteration focused exclusively on the Academy. That’s just a fresh, new thing for the legacy of the series,” she said.
The introduction of new talent alongside veteran actors brings an element of spontaneity and joy to the series. Hunter remarked on the dynamic energy that arises from this collaboration, describing it as “chaotic, spontaneous and joyful. Relaxed and tragic.”
At 67 years old, Hunter boasts an impressive resume, including four Oscar nominations and one win, two Emmys, a BAFTA, a Golden Globe, and Berlin’s Silver Bear. Her enthusiasm for new challenges remains undiminished. “When I showed up to Toronto, where we’re shooting, I looked at the sets. The mid-century furniture! How William Shatner’s office was outfitted,” she recalled, reminiscing about the thrill she felt as a child watching the original series.
Hunter noted that even though she is not a dedicated Star Trek aficionado, the sets revived a sense of wonder. “That’s one of the reasons why a lot of people watch ‘Star Trek’: It gives you a sense of wonder,” she said.
In crafting her character, Hunter aimed to embody a spirit of adaptability and youthful energy. “Children and youth are about really vivid, not subtle, change. They’re changing all the time — and they don’t care about change,” she explained. “As you get older, you start minding change, you want things to be the way that they were. And I wanted Nahla the opposite of that. Even though I was 422 years old, I wanted to be youthful. I wanted to choose youth.”
As Star Trek: Starfleet Academy prepares to launch, audiences can look forward to a captivating blend of adventure and introspection, guided by Hunter’s portrayal of a character who embodies resilience in an ever-evolving universe.
