Holly Hunter leads the fresh Star Trek: Starfleet Academy series as Nahla Ake, the chancellor and captain of the academy’s field ship, the Athena. The Oscar-winner explains why her character’s barefoot, relaxed style feels both fun and fitting for a four-centuries-old commander.
At a Glance
- Holly Hunter plays Nahla Ake, a 400-year-old chancellor who prefers barefoot leadership.
- The character’s name means “water in the desert,” hinting at her nurturing, fluid nature.
- Hunter says the role lets her stay “loose” and playful while still showing strategic decisiveness.
- Why it matters: It offers a fresh take on Starfleet’s classic leadership style, blending humor with depth.
Introduction
The new Star Trek: Starfleet Academy series debuted on Thursday on Paramount+. In the show, Holly Hunter’s Nahla Ake balances her duties as chancellor and captain with a casual, catlike demeanor that challenges traditional Starfleet authority. The role gives Hunter a chance to explore a character who has lived through centuries of change.
Character Overview
- Nahla Ake is a half-Lathanite, making her about four centuries old.
- She commands the field-exercise starship Athena and oversees the academy’s cadets.
- Hunter notes that Ake’s age shapes her priorities: play, sensory experience, and adaptability.
- The character’s name, meaning “water in the desert,” reflects her nurturing and fluid qualities.
Hunter’s Approach to the Role
Hunter says she was drawn to Ake’s playful side when she first read the script.
> “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,” she said.
She explains that Ake’s barefoot preference is a deliberate contrast to the expected protective footwear of a Starfleet captain.
> “That’s fun, because it’s the antithesis of what you should do – people are wearing protective footwear – boots, maybe with steel toes,” Hunter laughed.
Hunter’s goal was to avoid rigidity and formality.
> “I wanted to avoid rigidity. I wanted to avoid formality and kind of a more militaristic posture,” she said. “I wanted to be adaptable and leaning into them and curious and playful. And I wanted to be approachable. I wanted to lead with some humor.”
She also highlighted the importance of staying loose, noting how the young cadets’ fresh energy keeps her grounded.
> “Those kids, they always are having fun,” Hunter said. “And that is a great reminder to stay loose. It’s always been a bit of a mantra of mine to stay loose, and they remind me of that and I love that.”
Interactions with Cast and Villains
Hunter’s character faces off against the half-Klingon pirate Nus Braka, played by Paul Giamatti. Giamatti praised Hunter’s unexpected choices.
> “The first time I saw her curl up in her chair on the bridge, I just thought, ‘That’s genius!’ It says so much about the character and about the world and what it’s going to be like,” Giamatti told News Of Los Angeles.
The dynamic between Ake and Braka showcases her strategic decisiveness while maintaining her playful leadership.
The Moral Universe of Star Trek
Hunter reflects on how the series continues Star Trek’s tradition of optimism.
> “From the beginning, when I watched William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy with my father when the show first began in the ’60s and I was so impressionable, the show gave people a tremendous amount of comfort,” she said. “And I have never been attracted to movies or plays that sent me out a big message or claimed a moral correctness.”
She appreciates the series’ moral universe for its optimism.
> “People love the optimism about the future that Star Trek has, and has always had from Shatner on. It’s an optimistic story that goes on and on and on, and never loses its optimism.”
Release and Availability
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy airs Thursdays on Paramount+. The series offers a new lens on Starfleet leadership, blending classic sci-fi themes with fresh, playful character work from Holly Hunter.
—
Key Takeaways
- Hunter’s barefoot, catlike style challenges traditional Starfleet authority.
- Ake’s name and age inform her nurturing, fluid leadership.
- The series continues Star Trek’s legacy of optimism and moral depth.
- Hunter’s playful approach keeps her grounded and relatable to both veterans and new fans.
