Paul Giamatti On Playing A Klingon Hybrid Villain In Star Trek: Starfleet Academy

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I was so excited to hear Paul Giamatti, who’s been nominated for an Academy Award, share some details about Star Trek: Starfleet Academy! He was at CCXP in Brazil and showed a four-minute sneak peek of the series. It’s coming to Paramount+ with two episodes on January 15, 2026, and I can’t wait!

Paul Giamatti appears as Nus Braka, the main villain in the first season of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy. Braka is a powerful enemy to Captain Nahla Ake (played by Academy Award winner Holly Hunter) and the students at Starfleet Academy, being a mix of Klingon and Tellarite heritage.

Just before Paul Giamatti showed a sneak peek at CCXP, a new poster for Star Trek: Starfleet Academy was revealed. The poster features the six main student characters and highlights the series’ focus on the experiences of young cadets – a fresh, college-age take on Star Trek.

The new footage from Star Trek: Starfleet Academy felt more like classic Star Trek, featuring exciting starship battles and compelling character interactions. Paul Giamatti shared insights about the show during two discussions at CCXP, adding context to the details revealed in the footage.

Why Paul Giamatti’s Star Trek Villain Is A Klingon Hybrid

Paul Giamatti has been a dedicated Star Trek fan his entire life, and he always hoped to play a Klingon. This wish eventually got back to Star Trek producer Alex Kurtzman, who offered him the role of the primary villain at Starfleet Academy. As Nus Braka, Giamatti finally gets to play a Klingon – with an interesting addition: his character is also half-Tellarite. The Emmy-winning actor shared that this opportunity is a dream come true.

I was told I couldn’t fully portray a Klingon because they already had an actor doing that, so I’d be half Klingon instead. I especially remember being told Klingons don’t respect personal space, so I made a point of standing very close to everyone – that was my main way of embodying the character. The Tellarite character is known for being argumentative, and that was part of the mix too. But the interesting thing was that my character wasn’t strictly Klingon or Tellarite; he was a unique, aggressive combination of both, which gave me a lot of freedom to create his personality and behavior.

The series Star Trek: Starfleet Academy brings the Klingons back to the forefront in the 32nd century. After a controversial reimagining of the Klingons in Star Trek: Discovery, the warrior race took a backseat, though the version fans loved most reappeared in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.

Paul Giamatti mentioned a fully Klingon character in Star Trek: Starfleet Academy named Jay-Den Kraag, played by Karim Diane, who is one of the new cadets. The series also features Commander Lura Thok, played by Gina Yashere, a hybrid character who is half-Klingon and half-Jem’Hadar from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.

As seen in a clip from Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, Paul Giamatti clearly enjoys playing the over-the-top villain, Nus Braka. His performance is similar to Ricardo Montalban’s iconic portrayal of Khan. Giamatti describes how he was given permission to really exaggerate his role as the Star Trek bad guy.

Playing a villain is usually more enjoyable, and the producers specifically asked me to be very dramatic with this role. I’m playing a character who’s a mix of Klingon and Tellarite – both known for being very aggressive aliens. I confirmed with them that I could really go over the top, and they gave me the go-ahead, so I did! I had a great time with it.

Paul Giamatti discussed how the makeup and prosthetics transformed him into his character, Nus Braka, and explained what the physical characteristics of this half-Klingon, half-Tellarite heavy represent.

I really enjoy the costume. It completely transforms how I feel and how I look – I’ve even been told I resemble a Klingon or a pig, which is great! I had a lot of creative input into the character’s design. I wanted him to have a history of adventure, so we added ritual scars on his face, suggesting he’s a pirate who’s traveled throughout the galaxy. We also gave him clipped and reshaped ears, and metal attachments on his hands, representing souvenirs from various alien cultures he’s encountered.

Paul Giamatti’s Star Trek Villain Is A Pirate Who Resents Starfleet Academy

So far, Nus Braka is a mysterious character in Star Trek: Starfleet Academy. New footage shown at CCXP revealed that Braka is quick to anger, intelligent, and struggles with boundaries. She’s also the leader of a criminal group called the Vanari Ral, which Paul Giamatti describes as “pirates.” Paul went on to explain:

He’s a criminal, essentially a pirate, involved in all sorts of illegal activities like smuggling and trafficking. He leads a group called the Vanari Ral, who are pirates themselves, and he’s traveled extensively throughout the galaxy. Though he acts like a fool and tries to appear important, he’s actually a dangerous and ruthless individual.

It’s no surprise Nus Braka dislikes Starfleet and the Federation, but why does he specifically target Starfleet Academy cadets? Paul Giamatti suggests there’s a reason behind the Klingon-Tellarite hybrid’s animosity towards those young aspiring officers.

He’s really unkind to the children, and I believe it stems from his own unhappiness. I think he secretly wishes he had the same kind of support and affection that the kids receive, which is why he seems to resent them.

The official trailer for Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, revealed at New York Comic-Con, introduces a personal connection between Nus Braka and cadet Caleb Mir (Sandro Rosta). Years ago, Braka kidnapped Caleb’s mother (played by Tatiana Maslany) when he was a child, and their paths cross again when Caleb is older and training at the Academy.

Paul Giamatti’s Villain Has An Unusual Fixation On Holly Hunter’s Star Trek Captain

Nus Braka and Captain Nahla Ake have a long-standing rivalry, but the reason for their conflict hasn’t been explained yet in Star Trek: Starfleet Academy. Paul Giamatti suggests the reason Braka is so focused on Captain Ake is surprisingly strange.

He’s clearly deeply hurt and struggling with emotional issues, likely stemming from a difficult relationship with his mother. He seems to be searching for a maternal figure, and that’s why he’s so focused on Holly Hunter – he’s developed a strong preoccupation with her.

Captain Nahla Ake is a half-Lanthanite, a species known for its incredibly long lifespan, first seen in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. The character Commander Pelia (played by Carol Kane) is one example, being over 5,000 years old.

Nus Braka and Nahla were once acquainted, but they eventually became rivals. This past conflict may be the source of Braka’s complicated relationship with the Chancellor of Starfleet Academy, though it’s still unclear how this will affect the events of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy.

Paul Giamatti Says Starfleet Academy Is A Good Star Trek Entry Point

At CCXP, Paul Giamatti shared his lifelong love for Star Trek and discussed the positive values at the heart of Gene Roddenberry’s creation. Giamatti understands why Star Trek has remained so popular and meaningful for over 60 years. The Emmy-winning actor explained:

There’s just something about it that I really enjoy. Even now, thinking about it brings me a sense of comfort and safety – something I’ve always felt when I experience it. It’s exciting, but in a positive way, with good, wholesome values. It’s simply comforting on every level, and I appreciate that about it.

Paul Giamatti explains that Star Trek: Starfleet Academy was created to welcome new viewers while still satisfying dedicated fans. It does this by building on established Star Trek history and respectfully acknowledging the show’s traditions.

This series is a great place to start watching, even if you’re new to the franchise. You don’t need any prior knowledge to enjoy it, and it actually explains a lot about the core values of the Federation and its adventurous spirit. Everything stems from the training and ideals of Starfleet Academy, so it provides a solid foundation for understanding the entire universe. While it does that, it also stands on its own as a unique story, making it a perfect jumping-off point.

The creators of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy recognize the need to attract a wider and younger audience, with the goal of building the next generation of Star Trek fans.

The new series, Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, features familiar faces from past Star Trek shows, like The Doctor (Robert Picardo) from Star Trek: Voyager. It’s also filled with subtle references and nods to the franchise’s history, such as a wall displaying the names of iconic Star Trek heroes.

Thanks to TrekMovie for the quote transcripts.

Watch Star Trek: Starfleet Academy‘s first look scene here:

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2025-12-11 17:58