Holly Hunter’s Starfleet Academy Role Sparks Viral Fan Craze

When Holly Hunter steps onto the bridge of the USS Athena in Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, she brings with her not just the gravitas of an Academy Award winner, but a conscious nod to the golden age of Hollywood. In a recent interview with CBS News, Hunter drew a striking comparison between the iconic captains of Star Trek: The Original Series and the legendary Gary Cooper, saying, "It's iconic. You know, it was such a visceral show. How they looked, standing like marble statues with those... with the uniforms on. They were iconic, and like, almost like Gary Cooper."

This reference, as reported by Redshirts Always Die, isn’t just a throwaway compliment. For Hunter, who plays Chancellor Nahla Ake—a 422-year-old half-Lanthanite with centuries of Starfleet history behind her—the comparison sets a high bar. It reframes the performances of captains like Kirk, Picard, Sisko, and Janeway as belonging not just to the world of science fiction, but to the tradition of classic, character-driven cinema. Hunter’s approach, blending patience and empathy, signals her intent to bring that same understated intensity and moral weight to the Starfleet Academy’s latest chapter.

But it’s not just old-Hollywood energy that’s making waves in the 32nd century. According to ScreenRant and corroborated by executive producer and co-showrunner Noga Landau, Hunter’s portrayal of Nahla Ake has sparked a wildfire of fan response—especially for her unconventional way of sitting in the Captain’s chair. Ake, who is also the captain of the USS Athena, bucks tradition in more ways than one. She’s known for curling up in the chair with her feet up, sometimes reading a book, an offbeat habit that’s become the talk of social media.

Landau, in an interview with ScreenRant’s John Orquiola, admitted the cast and crew "had no idea" that Hunter’s unique mannerism would catch on. "You have no idea when you're making the show what is going to blow up. And I have to tell you, John, that some of my favorite content, because there's a lot of incredible Starfleet Academy content already on TikTok, on YouTube, on Instagram, on Facebook, some of my favorites are these compilations of people doing Nahla sitting in the chair. We had no idea what was going to blow up online. One video of this girl just doing them herself, and she's like [sitting weirdly in the captain’s chair], one like this, and another one. That's the best stuff. And honestly, it's really cool to see the younger generation of fans just loving what we're doing, and becoming this army of weird chair sitters who just show up every day for Starfleet Academy. It's so fun."

The response has been, well, polarizing. Some fans adore the irreverence Hunter brings to her centuries-old character, seeing it as a breath of fresh air that sets Nahla apart from her more by-the-book predecessors. Others, however, feel that Ake’s posture "disrespects" the Captain’s chair, a symbol of authority and tradition in Star Trek lore. Yet, as multiple sources point out, there’s precedent: other Star Trek captains have been known to curl up in the chair, albeit less flamboyantly.

It’s not just her chair-sitting that’s got people talking. Nahla Ake’s penchant for wearing glasses and going barefoot—traits rarely seen among Starfleet’s finest—have also fueled debate among fans. But these eccentricities are no accident. As a character who’s lived through Starfleet’s best and worst eras, and who was herself a prankster as a cadet, Nahla encourages her students to question, to play, and to occasionally indulge in a little harmless shenanigans. Her non-traditionalism is woven into the very fabric of Starfleet Academy, making her a mentor who’s as unpredictable as she is wise.

The show’s resonance with a younger audience is undeniable. Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, Starfleet Academy is finding its footing with Gen Z and young millennials, thanks in large part to the viral content on TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook. As Landau noted, the "Ake Maneuver"—as fans have begun calling the chair-sitting style—has inspired compilations, memes, and even imitation videos, turning what might have been a quirky character detail into a pop culture phenomenon.

But the series isn’t just about breaking the mold. It’s also about honoring the tradition of subtle, deeply human performances that have defined Star Trek since its inception. Hunter’s invocation of Gary Cooper is more than nostalgia; it’s a reminder that, at its best, Star Trek is about actors who can suggest entire inner worlds with a glance. Avery Brooks’ quiet steel as Sisko, Patrick Stewart’s weary compassion as Picard, Kate Mulgrew’s resolve as Janeway—all are part of a lineage Hunter openly embraces. Her Nahla Ake is, in many ways, a continuation of that tradition, even as she challenges its boundaries.

Adding to the show’s layered storytelling is the presence of Stephen Colbert, who lends his voice to the Digital Dean of Students. Announced at the show’s New York Comic Con panel in 2025, Colbert’s character serves as a sort of omnipresent narrator, offering announcements, narrating events, and providing a creative through-line behind the scenes. In Season 1, Episode 2, "Beta Test," for instance, Colbert’s Dean explains why Cadet Caleb Mir is sprinting through the halls and signals the end of the school day. He even weaves in offscreen subplots—like Specialist Krebs feeding a Talaxian Furfly, which continues into Episode 3, "Vitus Reflux."

While it’s unclear whether the Digital Dean is a simple recording or a living hologram in the tradition of Star Trek: Voyager’s Doctor, his presence adds a layer of humor and continuity. As Colbert himself joked in his video announcement, "I'm thrilled to join this universe that I've loved for so long, and unlike my on-camera castmates, I'm thrilled to join it without having to spend four hours in hair and makeup every day. Live long and do your thing."

All of these elements—Hunter’s classic gravitas, her irreverent quirks, the show’s embrace of social media culture, and Colbert’s wry narration—combine to make Starfleet Academy one of the most talked-about entries in the Star Trek universe. Whether fans are lining up to mimic the "Ake Maneuver" or debating the merits of a barefoot Starfleet Chancellor, one thing is certain: the show is striking a chord, especially with a new generation of viewers.

In a franchise defined by its willingness to boldly go where no one has gone before, Starfleet Academy proves that sometimes, the most exciting journeys begin with a sideways glance, a quirky habit, or a seat taken just a little bit differently.