Nus Braka was quite the compelling villain in Star Trek: Starfleet Academy season 1. However, he is one of those characters who is nothing without the actor behind him. Paul Giamatti brought an incredible zest to Braka, and his on-screen chemistry with actress Holly Hunter was palpable. Hunter portrayed Nahla Ake, who Giamatti playfully referred to in a recent interview as a "crunchy hippie captain."
Giamatti’s ability to mesh with Hunter likely stemmed from a great off-screen relationship, as evidenced by Giamatti recently dishing on Hunter’s playfulness on set. He was quoted as saying via TrekMovie.com: “She’s incredibly playful. She’s having a great time doing this… When they first told me it was her, I thought, ‘Oh, my God, that’s such a f*****g great idea. Holly Hunter as a captain, I never would have thought of that. What a great idea.’"
Giamatti continued by saying:
"And then, you know, she’s 400 years old, and she’s this eccentric, kind of crunchy hippie captain teacher, like, it’s fantastic, and she’s so inventive, and she’s just a wonderful person, and you have a good time, and she’s in the spirit of it a thousand percent, and she’s loving it. She’s having a great time.”
From those remarks, it is clear that Giamatti has serious respect for Hunter, and for good reason, as Hunter is one of the most highly respected actresses in all of Hollywood.
However, don’t discount Giamatti’s own acting chops. His range to play a laid-back Santa Claus in Fred Claus to the eccentric Braka in Starfleet Academy is impressive.
As such, it is no surprise that these two were able to mesh onscreen. In any case, Giamatti’s take on Hunter’s character is spot on. Ake’s happy-go-lucky nature, even as a 422-year-old individual, perfectly contrasts with Giamatti’s Braka, who has much more of an edge to him.
What is more, the heavy teasing of Braka and Ake’s intimate past relationship is made even more fascinating by their contrasting relationships. That contrast can only be pulled off by two actors in lock step.
Unfortunately, Starfleet Academy is only due to receive one more season. And even though Nus Braka won't appear in season 2, it is great that the relationship between Hunter and Giamatti is so strong, and at least we got to watch it play out onscreen for at least one season.
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