For as long as Star Trek has graced our TV screens, it's the stories that endure, and, according to Star Trek: Starfleet Academy actor Paul Giamatti, this newest show is no different. The award-winning actor, who plays antagonist Nus Braka, a Tellarite/Klingon hybrid, recently discussed how he feels playing this role compared to others he's taken on. Giamatti told People:
“I don't see it as any sort of differentiation between higher or lower culture or anything like that — it's all the same. I think it's great, Star Trek: it's smart, it's good stuff and it's good writing and it's good stories, and so that's all that matters.”
It's always gratifying to know that the actors creating Star Trek stories, along with the writers, are fans of the franchise and understand that they're carrying on a beautiful legacy!
Having attended quite a few fan meetups and conventions, I always run into those fans who want to make Star Trek serious and don't have much of a sense of humor about the writing. Granted, The Original Series is camp because it's a product of its time, but during that show's three-year run, amazing stories like "The City on the Edge of Forever" and "Journey to Babel" kept viewers spellbound.
In later series, characters and storylines didn't always find their footing until season 2 or even 3, but the writers on each series kept Star Trek alive with their dedication to crafting complex stories, even when they were wrapped in humor or whimsy.
You can watch Star Trek: Starfleet Academy every Thursday on Paramount+ through Mar. 12, for a total of 10 season 1 episodes. And for more Star Trek content, visit the Redshirts Always Die Facebook and X pages.