Just as viewers of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy are drawn to certain characters, the actors who portray them sometimes feel an instant connection as well. Holly Hunter, who plays the Academy's chancellor and the captain of the USS Athena, says she felt an instant connection to her role of Nahla Ake, a 422-year-old human/Lanthanite who takes on the role of mentoring the first Starfleet Academy class in more than a century.
In an interview with People, Hunter revealed: “I was really drawn to the character as soon as I read her, and I think it's captivating to think about playing somebody who's over 400 years old. Things shift in your mind."
Hunter continued by saying:
"I can only imagine that your point of view and the world would be radically different after that much time has passed. I mean, things would fall away. Priorities would really announce themselves to you in a way that maybe they hadn't when you were 30 or 40. And I think a priority for Nala is play, to play, to actually have fun and to experience life viscerally and sensorially.”
Imagine having all the time in the world to figure out your true wants and needs, and to gain so much wisdom not only about your environment but about what makes you fulfilled as a person.
Looking back, the franchise has always had a connection with playfulness and its importance to sentient beings. The Original Series episode "Shore Leave" highlights the power of imagination and creativity, and the importance of play for adults. Oh, to have a place where all your wishes come true with no consequences! How are we coming on holodeck technology?
As a GenX kid, I remember my parents working eight to 10 hours a day in a pacemaker factory, Monday through Friday. They had an amazing work ethic, but their opportunities to "play" were few and far between. Now, as an adult who loves toys, cosplay, and collectibles, I'm grateful to live in an era where the importance of creativity, play, and truly understanding oneself is a daily part of life.
Like so many others, Star Trek was my gateway to a galaxy of creative, playful activities that allowed me to balance both work and play. Hunter's character, who has such a long life span to discover what's truly important, has much to teach us.
For more Star Trek content, visit the Redshirts Always Die Facebook and X pages. And new episodes of Starfleet Academy drop every Thursday through March 12.