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Holly Hunter and Paul Giamatti Unpack Their Explosive Rivalry on Star Trek’s Hotly Debated New Series

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Editor’s Note: This article contains spoilers for Star Trek: Starfleet Academy Episode 6, “Come, Let’s Away.”This week’s episode of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy sends our cadets on their first official away mission, and unfortunately for Holly Hunter‘s Captain Ake, things go terribly, horribly wrong when her cadets are intercepted by a terrifying race of cannibalistic aliens. With her cadets held hostage on the remains of a fallen starship, Nahla is forced to call on her biggest nemesis, Nus Braka (Paul Giamatti), if she wants to get them back alive. Unfortunately, making a deal with the devil never really works out, and the cadets suffer a serious loss as one of their War College comrades is killed, SAM (Kerrice Brooks) is left glitching, and Tarima (Zoe Steiner) falls into a coma after saving her friends.

I recently sat down with Hunter and Giamatti to dig into this tense and devastating episode of Starfleet Academy. During our conversation, Hunter spoke about how she embodies Nahla and what needed to happen in this episode to leave her truly betrayed by the end. Giamatti also spoke about how easy it was to have Hunter as a scene partner, before they both spoke about the simmering tension of filming this episode’s intense one-on-one sequences. Finally, the duo teased what to expect from their next showdown later this season. You can read our full conversation below or watch it in the player above.

COLLIDER: Holly, I have to start off by saying Nahla has instantly become one of my favorite Star Cadet captains in the franchise, and I love the choices that you make with her physicality, like flopping into the chair to stop Braka from taking it, or sitting on tables and flopping down in the elevator. When you were establishing the character, what about her lent itself to that sort of movement for you?

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HOLLY HUNTER: That was something that kind of organically happened when I read it. I was thinking about a physicality that I wanted to explore with her. Then, when I got to the set, wow, they just invited it for me. And the more sets that I was introduced to, the more my mind opened to the possibilities of going over the back of a couch. I mean, it just became like, “Ooh,” like a new world opened up for me that I found really enticing. I was really kind of turned on by the whole idea of being somebody who lived like that, and then it just manifested.

Holly Hunter and Paul Giamatti Break Down Their “Odd Attraction” in That Tense Nus vs. Nahla Scene

“I always thought that maybe I was going to kiss him.”

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Star Trek Starfleet Academy
Image via Paramount

I love that so much. For both of you, your characters have this very intense and magnetic antagonistic chemistry, and in Episode 6, Nahla has to ask for his help at a great cost to herself. What was it like to turn the tables on that dynamic and add another layer to that relationship and that palpable hatred?

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PAUL GIAMATTI: Exciting. Exciting that the whole thing takes a turn there. And it was a very well-written scene. I think they accomplished it really well on the page in a way that was kind of easy to begin to play out. But she discovered this great thing in that scene, which is the moment when she comes back, and she starts to kind of hit me to try to get me to comply, which I remember thinking, “This is brilliant because this is really going to fool people into thinking that I’m going to play along.” I thought, “What a brilliant, interesting choice to find.” But the script had that room where you could find all kinds of interesting things in it, like that.

HUNTER: I also think that it was really important so that I would really, truly, truly, truly be double-crossed.

GIAMATTI: Yes, and it was a brilliant way of doing it.

HUNTER: That Nahla would really take the freaking fall. Not kind of halfway, “Oh, well, I suspected it.” No, I mean to really, hook, line, and sinker, be devastated.

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GIAMATTI: To almost sell it in a comedic moment, too, was kind of brilliant because then it’s just like, oof! So when the turnaround comes, it’s even more brutal. Yeah, it was great.

Absolutely. When working with these very intense one-on-ones, can you each recall something, like having her in his face, that each of you did that surprised you and unlocked another layer of your performance?

GIAMATTI: I kept being surprised at how much I wanted to get close to her, kind of get right up on her, and I kept thinking, “Why am I doing this? Why am I getting so strangely like…?” And at that point, there were certain shots that we did, I don’t think it’s in it, where I was almost kind of resting my head on her, and it was like, “What am I doing?” It was interesting because I thought, “What does he really want out of this?” It was odd.

HUNTER: Well, I always thought that maybe I was going to kiss him. I thought there might be a kiss, and I thought, “I cannot betray my crew.” Because it was so bizarre! It was so bizarre. It came out of nowhere.

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GIAMATTI: There was an odd kind of attraction.

HUNTER: I was like, “Wow, why didn’t I obey that? I wish I had.” That would have been really horrible to obey it.

GIAMATTI: Interesting.

HUNTER: I had terrible conflicts.

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GIAMATTI: Yeah. Very strange. There was a lot of that stuff. The physical thing where I kept wanting to get on her was weird. I was like, “Why am I doing this?” It was interesting.

Well, I mean, love and hate are two sides of the same coin, so that chemistry is very there.

Paul Giamatti Teases a “Very Grand Gesture” Ahead of His Final ‘Starfleet Academy’ Face-Off With Holly Hunter

“I come back with a big move at the end.”

Close-up of Nus Braka in a gold embroidered outfit, pointing toward the camera in Season 1.
Close-up of Nus Braka in a gold embroidered outfit, pointing toward the camera in Season 1.
Image via Paramount+
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What do you think has changed for Nahla in the 100 years since she lost her son that makes her willing to make such a huge sacrifice for Caleb and the rest of the kids now, that she couldn’t do 100 years ago?

GIAMATTI: Wow.

HUNTER: Well, I think she makes a mistake that she can’t live with. The Federation is a severe outfit at the beginning of this show. At the beginning of Starfleet Academy, they are still recovering from The Burn and from some of the restrictions that they instilled after The Burn. But nevertheless, I think Nahla really takes some of those steps that she was responsible for when she quits. And I think that child, she feels compelled to make that right, as mysterious as that is to search the galaxy for a person who is orphaned, possibly. I love the mysticalness of that, and I love that there was something deeply mysterious about that search. We all make mistakes. I don’t know.

I love that. At the end of this episode, Braka gets away again, but now he’s got a huge, huge price on his head. Can you guys tease what we can look forward to from your next face-off?

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GIAMATTI: I come back with a big move at the end, towards the end. I do come back.

HUNTER: A grand gesture.

GIAMATTI: Yeah, with a very grand gesture at the end.

HUNTER: Yeah. And that’s all we could possibly say.

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GIAMATTI: That’s all we can possibly say.

Starfleet Academy is available to stream on Paramount+. Stay tuned at Collider for more.


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Release Date

January 15, 2026

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Paramount+

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Showrunner

Alex Kurtzman, Noga Landau

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Directors

Douglas Aarniokoski

Writers
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Alex Taub, Tawny Newsome, Kirsten Beyer, Jane Maggs, Kiley Rossetter

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Reese Witherspoon ‘Devastated’ Over James Van Der Beek’s Death

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Heartbroken Over James Van Der Beek’s Death

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Cheek of the Week: Coi Leray's Scroll-Stopping Booty

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Cheek of the Week: Coi Leray's Scroll-Stopping Booty

Sheesh, what a week cheek it’s been! Singer and rapper Coi Leray spiced up the social media feeds in high heels … and an outfit that highlighted her curves and assets?! Say less! Slip into the gallery … these sexy shots will have you shooketh…

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3 Years Later, We’re Still Waiting on a Sequel to the Best Fantasy Movie of the Last Decade

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The main party standing together and looking ahead in Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves.

Dungeons & Dragons has evolved from a role-playing game into a cultural phenomenon, impacting pop culture along the way. Without Dungeons & Dragons, Stranger Things wouldn’t have its big narrative hook. Critical Role wouldn’t be a thing, which means no Legend of Vox Machina or Mighty Nein. In 2023, Paramount decided to take the next logical step and make a D&D movie, resulting in Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves. Honor Among Thieves is one of the rare films that were both critically acclaimed and box-office flops, which is a shame because it perfectly captures the spirit of Dungeons & Dragons.

As its title suggests, Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves is essentially a heist movie set in the world of Dungeons & Dragons. Led by the boisterous bard Edgin Darvis (Chris Pine), the barbarian Holga (Michelle Rodriguez), sorcerer Simon (Justice Smith), and druid Doric (Sophia Lillis) join forces to rob the Lord of Neverwinter, Forge Fitzwilliam (Hugh Grant), of his treasures. They end up embroiled in a sinister plot concocted by the Red Wizard, Sofia (Daisy Head), and wind up having to save Neverwinter. What follows is a fast, funny, and engaging adventure that will appeal to both Dungeons & Dragons super fans and newcomers to the game.

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‘Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves’ Mixes Heart, Humor & Action

The main party standing together and looking ahead in Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves.
The main party standing together and looking ahead in Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves.
Image via Paramount Pictures

Throughout Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, writer/directors Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley manage to keep up a blend of hilarious and emotional moments that are punctuated by bouts of action. A key example is when the party, led by Paladin Xenk Yandar (Regé-Jean Page), travels into the subterranean realm known as the Underdark to retrieve a magical artifact. They wind up running afoul of Themberchaud, a dragon feared throughout the land…only to discover that Themberchaud has packed on a few pounds over the years. Emotionally, the film doesn’t hold back: Edgin is putting himself through a lot to see his daughter and potentially resurrect his wife; Simon is struggling with his magic; and Doric wishes to protect her people from Forge’s greed.

Goldstein and Daley also manage to introduce plenty of Dungeons & Dragons Easter eggs, showcasing their deep love for the game. Whether it’s creatures like Mimics, the dreaded sorcerer Szass Tam, or the cast of the beloved Dungeons & Dragons animated series, these Easter eggs are skillfully woven into the movie; longtime fans can enjoy them, while newcomers won’t feel lost. Goldstein also told Den of Geek that the heist element of Honor Among Thieves was crafted to appeal to non-D&D fans.

“We wanted to create a film that would be entertaining and appealing to all audiences, whether you knew D&D or not. For that to work, we needed a sort of scaffolding and infrastructure for the movie that would be enjoyable and engaging. We’ve always wanted to do a heist movie.”

The response was extremely positive, as Honor Among Thieves currently holds a 91% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Most reviews pointed out how it was one of the few modern blockbusters that actually managed to replicate the feeling of a Marvel Studios movie; ironically, Goldstein and Daley previously helped write the screenplay for Spider-Man: Homecoming, while producer Jeremy Latcham worked on some of Marvel’s biggest hits, including Guardians of the Galaxy. Sadly, Honor Among Thieves was released in the same month as other major blockbusters, like The Super Mario Bros. Movie and John Wick: Chapter 4; this resulted in a less-than-stellar box office haul.

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Live-Action ‘Dungeons & Dragons’ Series Is Resurrected at Netflix After Paramount+ Cancellation

The previous live-action D&D adventure, ‘Honor Among Thieves,’ has become a fan favorite.

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Paramount Should Capitalize on Fantasy’s Resurgence with a ‘Dungeons & Dragons’ Sequel

Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves might not have set the box office on fire, but its story could potentially continue in a different form. Netflix is currently developing Dungeons & Dragons: The Forgotten Realms, a television series that is set in the same fictional realm as Honor Among Thieves. The timing couldn’t be more perfect; fantasy shows are making a splash on streaming services, and Honor Among Thieves was a big streaming hit for Netflix. If Forgotten Realms is a huge hit for Netflix, that could be the push Paramount needs to put another Dungeons & Dragons movie into production. In the meantime, Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves is still worth a watch, whether you’re a fan of the game or not.


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March 31, 2023

Runtime

134 minutes

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Nick Meyer, Brian Goldner, Jeremy Latcham

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TMZ’s Last Minute Valentine’s Day Cards!

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Ain’t no way we forgot about lover’s day! TMZ’s got you covered with the cutest custom cards — Hailee Steinfeld, Tate McRae and more hot stars are ready to spice up your Valentine’s Day!

Whether you’re ridin’ solo, cuffed up, or have your eye on a special someone … no need to run out to the store, ‘cuz these crafted cards are ICONIC!

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When you find your perfect match, click the link to download a printable version!

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Perfect, R-Rated Comedy Thriller Will Infiltrate And Destroy Your Life

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Perfect, R-Rated Comedy Thriller Will Infiltrate And Destroy Your Life

By Robert Scucci
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Working as an office drone is the worst possible way to spend your time, especially if your doppelganger is showing up for work, running circles around you, and tarnishing your good name. Not only does Jesse Eisenberg’s doppelganger do all of these things in 2013’s The Double, nobody else at work seems to notice that his primary antagonist is his exact body double. It’s a bleak reminder of how little your coworkers actually pay attention to things like who they’ve been working with for the past seven years, what they look like, and what they do for a living.

After thinking about it for a minute, it’s not even that far-fetched of a scenario. Having to wear a shirt and tie, commute to a central office, and sit in a cubicle inside a windowless room, all while attending meetings that could have been an email, only to be rewarded with a slice of room-temperature pizza left over from yesterday’s sales meeting, is more than enough to suck the soul right out of you and turn you into a shell of a man who locks in without soaking in their surroundings.

The Double 2013

While The Double is clearly an unrealistic story, what’s depicted here doesn’t feel that far removed from what office culture could easily devolve into over the next decade. 

An Office That Makes Office Space Look Like A Beach Paradise

Set mostly in oppressively dank apartment buildings, corner offices, and cubicles, The Double centers on Simon James (Jesse Eisenberg), an office drone of the highest order who’s wandering aimlessly through life. Though everyone at the office works for a cold-hearted authority figure known only as The Colonel (James Fox), it’s never made entirely clear what anyone actually does for a living. It’s obvious they’re clerks for some wide-reaching, dystopian government agency, but beyond that, your guess is as good as mine.

The Double 2013

This level of impersonality in The Double feeds directly into its central conflict. Simon frequently forgets his ID badge and is never recognized by the security guards or his coworkers. He has to sign a visitor’s form just to go to work, as if he barely exists. Simon feels this same kind of invisibility when it comes to his coworker Hannah (Mia Wasikowska), who lives in the apartment building across from him but doesn’t even know he’s there. He admires her from afar, often collecting her torn-up art projects and saving them in a notebook for himself.

It’s a lonely existence for Simon James, until he meets his doppelganger, James Simon (also Jesse Eisenberg), who appears out of nowhere and suddenly starts working at the same office.

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The Double 2013

James Simon is everything Simon James is not in The Double, which immediately creates a number of problems. Simon is shy, reserved, and lacking confidence, content to blend into the background and quietly move through life. James, on the other hand, is charming, assertive, and instantly recognized as a standout employee, despite doing similar work to Simon, who barely gets acknowledged by anyone. Slowly but surely, James begins intruding on Simon’s life, eventually earning Hannah’s affection, much to Simon’s dismay. To make matters worse, nobody at the office seems to notice that Simon James and James Simon are identical, calling Simon’s grip on reality into question.

As Simon spirals, he gets to know James better, and the two even swap places on occasion in an attempt to live in each other’s shoes. These exchanges usually backfire, further straining their already toxic relationship and forcing Simon to question what it even means to be alive.

Sounds Like Another Movie That Came Out At The Same Time

The Double 2013

Based on the 1846 novel of the same name by Fyodor Dostoyevsky, The Double shares a similar premise with 2013’s Enemy, starring Jake Gyllenhaal. While it might be tempting to chalk this up to parallel development, the coincidence is actually stranger than that. Enemy is based on a completely different novel from 2002, also titled The Double, written by José Saramago.

Both films explore what happens when two perfectly identical men occupy the same space, and the personal fallout that follows when one’s likeness is used by someone else with questionable intentions. While they tell very different stories, they make for an interesting double feature if you want to see how two doppelganger narratives released in the same year end up echoing each other in unexpected ways, as if they were each other’s doppelgangers all along.

The Double 2013

Strangely enough, both films also exist within liminal, brutalist environments, trapping their protagonists in fluorescently-lighted spaces as their identities fracture and their personal lives collapse while they try to figure out where they belong in the world.

As of this writing, The Double is streaming for free on Tubi. Enemy, which explores similar themes and came out the same year, is currently streaming on Max.


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Kelly Clarkson’s Love Life Still Plagued By ‘Overwhelming’ Schedule

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Kelly Clarkson attends the 51st Daytime Emmy Awards

Singer Kelly Clarkson may be walking away from “The Kelly Clarkson Show,” but that doesn’t mean that she’s walking away from the entertainment industry. Following the death of her ex-husband, Brandon Blackstock, the “Stronger” singer recognizes that she needs to spend time with her two young children. Although she is putting family first, she is trying to find a balance between her personal life and her career.

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Kelly Clarkson Is Leaving ‘The Kelly Clarkson Show’ After Seven Seasons

Kelly Clarkson attends the 51st Daytime Emmy Awards
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As The Blast previously reported, the “Behind These Hazel Eyes” singer is leaving her talk show, “The Kelly Clarkson Show,” after seven seasons. Clarkson delivered the news in an emotional Instagram post on February 2, thanking her fans for “allowing our show to be a part of your lives” and emphasizing that it wasn’t “easy” to walk away.

“This was not an easy decision,” she wrote at the time. “Stepping away from the daily schedule will allow me to prioritize my kids, which feels necessary and right for this next chapter of our lives.” She went on to write, “I want to thank y’all so much for allowing our show to be a part of your lives.”

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Kelly Clarkson’s Ex-Husband Brandon Blackstock Passed Away Last Year

Kelly Clarkson and Brandon Blackstock at 60th Annual GRAMMY Awards
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Last summer, Clarkson’s ex-husband, music manager Brandon Blackson, passed away at age 48 after a 3-year battle with cancer. The loss was particularly difficult for their daughter, River, 11, and their son, Remington, 9.

Although she will still appear on season 29 of “The Voice,” which premieres on February 23, Clarkson wants to focus on her family and perhaps even find love again. One insider told Us Weekly that she is slowly opening herself up to dating again.

“Kelly’s been through so much in her life, and she just pushes on,” the source divulged. “A lot of that comes from her selfless nature. She has people who depend on her, and she puts them first.”

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‘The Kelly Clarkson Show’ Began To Feel ‘All-Consuming’

Kelly Clarkson Performs On The Today Show
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Many fans don’t realize how much work went into the show behind the scenes, especially considering her fan-favorite Kellyoke performances. While they were enjoyed by fans, many failed to notice that Clarkson was struggling to keep up with the demanding workload behind the scenes.

“Kelly didn’t realize how all-consuming the show would be,” a second source told the publication. “It’s her entire life.”

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The source went on to say that she was “surprised” by how successful the show went on to be, as it won 24 Daytime Emmy Awards during its seven-year run. In addition, she interviewed some high-profile figures, including political figures like Hillary Clinton and Jill Biden, as well as actresses like Meg Ryan and Viola Davis, on her show.

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 The insider added, “The talk show became more than she initially bargained for, and left her with little time to pursue anything else.”

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Clarkson Wants To Go Back To Making Music

Kelly Clarkson at Variety's Power Of Women: Los Angeles
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The source added that the “A Moment Like This” singer is looking forward to releasing new music.

“Kelly asked herself, ‘Do I want to spend the rest of my life doing this?’ She wants to focus on things that she really loves,” the source shared. In addition to returning to music, they noted that she is also very busy with her Kelly Clarkson Home furniture and home décor line.

“When [Kelly leaves the show], she can split her time between live performances and her merchandising deals and take a step back,” they added.

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Senator Raphael Warnock Says There’s Nothing Wrong With Celeb Support

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Senator Raphael Warnock
I Welcome Celebrity Endorsements

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Stop Inciting Violence!!!

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