By: Jamie Steinberg
Photo By Christos Kalohoridis/Paramount+
Q) You just have this gift for comedy. What is it though about this particular role that drew you to it? Is it because you have a flair for dramatics as well that made this sort of a perfect role for you in “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds?”
A) Yeah, I think maybe. I definitely have a flair for dramatics – for the way I move or…
Q) A flair for the comedic dramatics.
A) Yeah, I can fit into the mischievous trickster mold – someone who’s very immature but has a certain amount of charm, naivety, young,…But in this case, extremely powerful and can do anything, so it’s about kind of how does he deal with that power and what is he doing. Is he learning anything, or is he just going to destroy everything? And so it’s a fun character to tackle.
Q) Is he malicious against just this Enterprise crew or is it anyone he comes across?
A) I think anyone. Yeah, I think he’s realizing that he can do anything, and so he’s just playing with characters, playing with whoever he runs into. But I think he’s learning and I think he likes the humans. I think we see that in this one when he’s surprised after he creates this soap opera that they’re involved in. Some of these emotions come out, and he’s surprised with where they go with it, and he learns from it as they do. So, it ends up being quite a good lesson for everyone. And, of course, he doesn’t turn any anyone into a chair.
Q) First, a wedding, and now a soap opera. Is there a theme he particularly sticks to, or is it just manipulation and humans or emotions have to be involved?
A) I think he likes the idea of playing with these toys, and that they can change. They’ve got little souls and little hearts and they have the same goal. But your emotions get in the way, and all of a sudden you don’t just achieve your goals. You have to look within and fix yourselves on the way, and that’s I think that’s intriguing for him. It’s like, what are you guys are weird, you know? What is it about you? And I think he starts to actually like that they have these heartfelt emotions for each other, and he learns from that, and that’s what we see in this episode
Q) Certainly you wear some incredible costumes for this series. Does that help shape your character at all? Does slipping into the fancy attire help you find this individual?
A) Definitely, yeah. I mean, that’s the biggest help, really. That and the character portrayal. But I think once you get this coat on, made so beautifully by Bernadette Croft, and it’s got some weight to it, and it just flows so well, and I can flap it around and sit down and make it look cool. Yeah, it just helps Trelane feel important. He’s got a little medal on his thing. I don’t know how he earned that. It was just like him because he wants.
Q) A reward from daddy.
A) A reward from daddy. There you go. Yeah. So, when he does do well…He’s chosen to look like that. So that’s I think helps him. It definitely helps me as an actor being this. I think if I was in something less extravagant, I would not feel as important.
Q) We talked about your incredible comedic abilities. Is there a little bit of wiggle room when it comes to improv here for this series?
A) I mean, it’s pretty tightly scripted. We can play with me when I’m on my own thinking, or I believe in this one I made some commercials to be part of the thing that those were improvised. Yeah, when you’re when you’re not dealing with the other human characters, I think you can have a bit of fun for sure. But I think Captain Pike’s (Anson Mount) pretty stressed in this situation with the rest of his crew under a spell, and he is not happy about this guy returning. But it turns out to be pretty good because he has an experience that needs to happen for him.
Q) Talk about working with Anson then and sort of figuring out this tête-à-tête you play this episode.
A) Yeah, I mean he’s great. We got along really well. He is the captain, and he’s had many adventures on this ship with his with his crew, so I think he likes it when I’m there because it here’s a fun thing happening. Even though there’s a bit of peril, he gets to work with someone who’s very comedic. He gets to sort of be opposite that. Yeah, I don’t know what he what it must be like to be the captain of a of the Enterprise. [laughs] But I’m sure he’s got a lot on his plate as an actor and as a character. So, this particular show, of course, every week something weirds happening. It’s that’s all in the title, “Strange New Worlds.” The puppet thing must have been mind blowing. As an actor, for the experience that these people have had on this show, second to none. The opportunity to do these bizarre things, and an iconic show. They’re very lucky. So, for me to be able to step in the door and be part of that was a real privilege.
Q) Is there a particular scene this episode you’re most proud of the work you put into?
A) I think, yeah. The scene where I’m on the Enterprise and I’m talking to Captain Pike and sort of revealing the things I’ve learned about humanity that I see a little bit more about what they are, and I reveal that to him, and I kind of head back to my TV studio and carry on with making this little show. I think there’s an important moment there where they confront each other. Yeah, that and me sitting down with that coat and flourishing it.
Q) I mean, hopefully you get to keep the coat or some other mementos from your time here.
A) Yeah. No, that’s got to be kept in a special Star Trek cupboard. But hopefully, I will revisit the coat again and be Trelane.
Q) What does it mean to be a part of such an iconic series like “Star Trek?”
A) Oh, it means a lot. It means that you know I’ve made the right choice to come to the US and get involved in this industry because even though I’m very much an outsider, there’s always something for me because there’s a lot of outsiders that need to be portrayed. So, yeah, it means a lot to be this legacy character, this show that’s been around for 60 years, and to be in it on that 60th year as well. Yeah, it’s everything to me.
Q) We talked about the incredible work you’ve done over the years. Is there a particular favorite project you’ve been a part of? Certainly, all of them have to be standout. Maybe Steed holds a special place in your heart.
A) Steed definitely holds a special place in my heart because I got to be captain of a pirate ship and it’s kind of really important because that ship sailed through some pretty stormy seas when the world needed it to as well. And it was about acceptance, being who you want to be and loving who you want to love, and it was really important to be on that boat and to have all the fans, the people out there feel good about themselves and use this show as a marker for where things should be in humanity. And so it felt really good to be a part of an important thing like that. Yeah, that’s probably the definitely the highlight of my career so far. Apart from “Star Trek.” [laughs].
Q) What would you like to say to fans and supporters of you and the wonderful work you continue to do on our screens?
A) The great thing about doing what I do and being present and being here is that I’m always ready for the next challenge. So, yeah, you will see me and more things coming up, and it’s a funny one because I do these bizarre characters, and but the world needs more comedy, and so I’m not going to go home anytime soon. I need to kind of be here to make people laugh and bring joy. So, I think I think we need it more than ever. So, get me on more projects, people!