Giamatti's enthusiasm for the character is infectious
I'm looking forward to Star Trek: Starfleet Academy for several reasons. The main one being the return of Tig Notaro as Jett Reno, but Paul Giamatti's enthusiasm for the series and his character have me even more curious!
Giamatti is enthusiastic in a completely infectious way, and sometimes, a villainous character can make or break that all-important first season of a new Trek series.
One that comes to mind is Q in The Next Generation because while he only appeared in "Encounter at Farpoint" and "Hide and Q" that first season, his performance was so electrifying that it probably kept skeptical fans watching until the show found its own identity.
Few fandom moments feel as good as knowing that an actor is ready to throw in every ounce of their creative energy into a character. It's validating somehow to know that an actor as popular and talented as Giamatti is ready to give his all to create Nus Braka.
Can you imagine what a Tellarite/Klingon hybrid might be like? That's a lot of aggressive DNA in one being, but as someone familiar with Giamatti's acting, January can't come fast enough for this fan!
Are you excited about Star Trek: Starfleet Academy? What do you think about Paul Giamatti's role? Share your thoughts and comments with us on the Redshirts Always Die Facebook and X pages.
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy's first two episodes drop Jan. 15, 2026, on Paramount+.