Paul Giamatti Defends Holly Hunter’s Unconventional Captain’s Chair Sitting In Star Trek: Starfleet Academy

by

As a big Star Trek fan, I was really surprised to hear about the buzz surrounding Holly Hunter’s posture in the Captain’s chair on Star Trek: Starfleet Academy. Apparently, it caused some debate! Paul Giamatti, who plays the villain Nus Braka in Season 1, even commented on it. He’s fantastic as the antagonist to Hunter’s Chancellor Captain Nahla Ake, and it’s interesting to hear him address something so specific about the show’s production.

Some Star Trek fans have expressed disapproval of Holly Hunter’s portrayal of Captain Ake, specifically how she relaxes in her Captain’s chair. When the USS Athena isn’t facing danger, her character, Nahla, often lounges and reads while wearing glasses. This casual approach has upset some fans who believe it shows a lack of respect for the authority of the Captain’s chair.

On the podcast The D-Con Chamber, hosted by Connor Trinneer and Dominic Keating from Star Trek: Enterprise, Paul Giamatti discussed his impressive acting career. Keating asked Giamatti about working with Holly Hunter, and Giamatti praised her unique posture while sitting in her Captain’s chair, calling it “great.” You can find Giamatti’s full quote below.

Paul Giamatti believes the character’s choice to be barefoot was already in the script, and the actress really embraced it. He also thinks she fully committed to portraying the character’s age – someone who’s lived a long life and isn’t bothered by much. The character has experienced everything, giving her a sense of calm and confidence.

I was immediately impressed the first time I saw her in the Captain’s chair. We were on set for the bridge, and she just naturally took the seat – it felt perfect. I know some people might be upset by it, though.

Dominic Keating: Oh, there’s gonna be blowback.

Absolutely. As a longtime Star Trek fan, I immediately liked the idea. It’s fantastic to see someone so at ease in that position, and it brings a fresh approach to leadership, you know?

Watch The D-Con Chamber with Paul Giamatti below:

Paul Giamatti enjoyed working with Holly Hunter on Star Trek: Starfleet Academy. He particularly appreciated the choices she made while playing Captain Ake. Giamatti noted that, in addition to the character’s habit of relaxing in her chair, the script also called for Ake, whose name is Nahla, to go barefoot throughout the Academy.

Paul Giamatti’s character, Captain Ake, is an incredibly old being – a half-Lanthanite who’s lived for 420 years and witnessed many different periods in Starfleet history. She’s seen the United Federation of Planets at both its peak and its darkest times following The Burn. This vast experience and her effectively immortal life explain her detached and relaxed demeanor, which she uses to challenge those around her, including Chancellor Kelrec (Raoul Bhaneja).

​​​​​​

Despite her generally relaxed demeanor, Captain Ake is a capable and decisive leader who takes charge during emergencies. For example, in the Star Trek: Starfleet Academy episode “Come, Let’s Away,” she skillfully responded when Nus Braka cleverly defeated Starfleet, inflicting a major loss on the Federation. She consistently demonstrates the ability to switch to a more conventional command style whenever the situation demands it.

Holly Hunter’s Captain Nahla Ake is a unique leader in the history of Star Trek, and it will take some time for both fans and characters in Star Trek: Starfleet Academy to adjust to her unusual style. Paul Giamatti, a longtime fan who is now working on Star Trek, found her approach to the Captain’s chair interesting rather than upsetting.

Read More

2026-02-16 23:48