Actor Todd Stashwick can hint his fandom again to the ’70s when he was enjoying with MEGO Star Trek figures, so for him, changing into a Starfleet captain sooner or later “tracks,” as he advised the gang at ST: CHI Trek to Chicago con final weekend. TrekMovie had an opportunity to talk to the actor after his panel about each of his Star Trek roles (Captain Liam Shaw in Picard and the Romulan spy Talok on Enterprise). We additionally talked about how producers from each exhibits envision extra of their follow-up collection pitches, with Terry Matalas wanting him for Star Trek: Legacy and Mike Sussman eager to see him again as Talok in Star Trek: United.
Did you see what Mike Sussman needed to say about Star Trek: United, the follow-up to Enterprise?
Yeah.
There was just one individual he named that he needs to deliver again in addition to Scott Bakula, and that was you. So it might be Bakula…
Stashwick! It will be the 2 names above the title [laughs]. I’d completely like to return to play Talok, after 20 years. How loopy would that be, that the following mission that I did in Star Trek wouldn’t be Shaw, it might be from Enterprise. I’d be glad to return, as would my well being and pension. So would love to return to work.
Given a alternative between Legacy and United…
You recognize what, I’m not going to choose as a result of I don’t know what the world has in retailer for me. And why not each? I’ve already carried out each within the universe, I can do each once more. So to the to the to the gods of Skydance and Paramount, let’s possibly make United. In the event that they’re not going to make Legacy proper now, let’s make United.
On stage you made a bit enjoyable speaking about Jeffrey Dean Morgan and the way you two might be combined up…
Oh, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, I get confused for him on a regular basis within the wild. And so I as soon as had an actor who I labored with on one thing else truly assume he was speaking to Jeffrey Dean Morgan.
Such as you, he appeared in Enterprise, however he famously hated his expertise, primarily as a result of make-up. So, what are your Enterprise recollections?
I beloved it. I had amusing. And my pal Kara Zediker performed T’Pau. So I used to be hanging out with my pal all day. And I obtained to have pointed ears and be on Vulcan and combat with a lirpa. It was an important expertise.
Todd Stashwick at ST:CHI 2025 (Photograph: TrekMovie.com)
That was your first Star Trek…
Yeah, and I assumed it was going to be my final.
One other factor you talked about on stage is how in your profession you may have taken inspiration from performances of Harrison Ford and Invoice Murray. Would you say your efficiency as Shaw was knowledgeable by any specific actor or character?
I don’t like to present away the key sauce. You find yourself form of straightening the slinky that approach. I do know my influences. Typically I’ll be aloud about them. …That was all on the web page. I didn’t have to attract from something particularly. There have been different actor’s performances that I watched that had been form of in the identical scenario of type of beleaguered and type of going by way of the motions of issues and form of working a decent ship. So I did form of see how they dealt with it. However he was an entirely unique creation.
How a lot did Terry inform you? As a result of in your first episode—I assume by design—everybody hated Shaw…
I knew the whole lot about [Shaw’s tragic backstory at the Battle of] Wolf 359. I didn’t know I used to be going to chew it till about 3/4 of the best way by way of it, which is sweet. As a result of the character doesn’t know, I used to be simply enjoying the episodes as they got here.
Todd Stashwick as Captain Liam Shaw and Jeri Ryan as Seven of 9 in “Imposters” from Star Trek: Picard (Trae Patton/ Paramount+)
As a result of he has a little bit of a redemption arc…
It’s not a redemption arc, my pal.
What would you name it?
It’s character development. Redemption means he was a foul one who discovered a lesson and have become a very good individual. He was at all times a very good individual attempting to guard his individuals. He simply was a bit disrespectful in his approach. As a result of he wasn’t improper about all these items with Picard and all these guys.
What about the best way he handled Seven?
That’s the place he wanted to develop, as a person. However he additionally wanted to compartmentalize her Borg facet in order that he might get one of the best of her, as a result of he had an issue along with her Borg facet. However he picked her as a primary officer. He knew she was half Borg, however he needed to wall that off in his head due to his ache. He needed to compartmentalize that in order that he might get her as his first officer. In the long run, what he discovered, and wanted to do is respect her for who she was fully, and at last, known as her that [“Seven”]. But it surely’s not a redemption arc, as a result of he wasn’t redeeming himself. He was already able to sacrifice himself for individuals. He was already going to do the fitting factor for his crew. After which when he discovered who Picard and Jack had been. When he discovered that Jack actually was a Starfleet citizen and the son of an Admiral – when that was confirmed, he jumped into motion do the fitting factor. So he at all times does the fitting factor, given the fitting data, he’ll do the fitting factor. For those who lie to him, he’s going to snowball.
You set nearly as a lot thought into that as you do once you DM [Dungeon Master for Dungeons & Dragons].
Yeah. [laughs] Truly, I put extra into that [D&D].
Todd Stashwick as Dungeon Grasp with Star Trek actors Michelle Hurd, Anthony Rapp, Wil Wheaton, and science advisor Dr. Erin Macdonald
ICYMI – Todd solutions 5 of our burning questions
In October Shout! TV reached out to TrekMovie to ask Todd some Star Trek questions as he geared as much as host a Halloween double function. It wasn’t a typical TrekMovie interview and so we had a bit enjoyable asking Todd questions on being a meme and an motion determine, but in addition a bit in regards to the thought of returning to the franchise for Legacy.
Todd hosts scary film evening for Shout! TV
Todd not too long ago hosted Shout!TV’s Halloween “Double Take” celebrating underrated horror. The double function is Tragedy Women and The Exorcist III. Each movies are introduced with Todd’s commentary all through. In response to Shout!, Todd “roots for the villains of Tragedy Women whereas exploring the hyperlink between comedy and horror, then dives into the chilling brilliance of The Exorcist III and its unforgettable performances.”
Todd’s double function particular is now obtainable on demand. For extra about methods to watch, go to shout-tv.com.
Sustain with information and interviews in regards to the Star Trek Universe at TrekMovie.com.
