Plenty of Trekkies are naturally going to approach Star Trek: Starfleet Academy with some trepidation after the lackluster third season of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. However, there is plenty to be excited about. Two of Hollywood’s biggest stars, Holly Hunter and Paul Giamatti, are playing pivotal roles in the upcoming series. Plus, beloved Star Trek icon Jonathan Frakes may not be sitting in the captain's chair of the USS Athena, but he is returning to the director’s chair for one of the show’s episodes.
Frakes sat down for an interview on an upcoming (Friday, Nov. 21) episode of the All Access Star Trek podcast, and he talked about how wonderful a time Giamatti is having portraying the half-Klingon, half-Tellarite villain, Nus Braka. Frakes said of Giamatti (via TrekMovie.com):
“To its credit, Academy has lots of levity, and great... Well, first of all, Paul Giamatti is the villain. And I met him while he was there, and I am a massive fan of his. I think most actors are, and most people are. And I said, ‘How’s it been?’ He said, ‘I have been having such a good time.’"
Frakes continued by saying:
"And then he leans in and says, ‘Maybe too good a time.’ [Laughs] So again, I’m grateful. I search out the levity in any script, especially in the Treks because there’s so much. And it’s there [Academy]. And it helps the rhythm of the cutting and the storytelling."
For those newer fans of Star Trek, in addition to playing the role of Commander William Riker in Star Trek: The Next Generation — not to mention his numerous appearances in other shows and films from within the franchise — Frakes is a seasoned director whose behind-the-camera Trek television credits include the aforementioned TNG, DS9, Voyager, Picard, Discovery, and even Strange New Worlds.
Meanwhile, why wouldn’t Giamatti be having the time of his life? The award-winning actor has always wanted to play a Klingon, and he finally got his wish thanks to Starfleet Academy.
Giamatti’s Nus Braka is the main antagonist of the first season. Unfortunately, though, Frakes’ episode didn’t feature the Golden Globe winner. However, Frakes did get to collaborate with both the Oscar-winning Holly Hunter and Tatiana Maslany of She-Hulk: Attorney at Law fame. Frakes said:
“It [directing Starfleet Academy] was beautiful, with Tatiana Maslany and the great Holly Hunter. By the way… she’s [Hunter] great in the show. She’s one of the most well-prepared, instinctive, smart, clever... She’s an Academy Award-winning actress, and she gets it. She gets it. She has great ideas. Yeah, she’s a winner.”
Casting Giamatti and Hunter in Starfleet Academy was already enough to pique this Trekkie's interest. However, now that Jonathan Frakes has given them his seal of approval, I am even more excited for the upcoming streaming series. How about you? For more Star Trek content, plus to share your thoughts and comments on Starfleet Academy, visit the Redshirts Always Die Facebook and X pages.
Live long and prosper, Trekkies.
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy debuts Jan. 15, 2026, on Paramount Plus.