Entering the Star Trek universe is a daunting task for any actor, but for Sandro Rosta, the challenge came with a side of Hollywood royalty. Playing Caleb Mir, a cadet who spent 15 years surviving in the “underground,” Rosta finds himself sharing the screen with heavyweights like Holly Hunter, Paul Giamatti, and Tatiana Maslany.
In an exclusive chat with The TV Watercooler at the Toronto premiere of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, Rosta opened up about the “blessing” of working with such iconic talent and teased the sparks flying between his character and a fellow cadet.
Working with the Greats
When asked about joining a production anchored by Oscar and Emmy winners, Rosta admitted there were some initial nerves. “Of course, a little bit intimidating,” he said with a smile. However, the newcomer quickly found that the atmosphere of the bridge was one of total collaboration.
“Once you meet these people, you realize they’re individuals like anyone else, and they’re there to work together as a team,” Rosta explained. “It was such a big blessing and an eye opener for me as a newcomer, to see how these people just meet you where you are.”
Rosta credited the welcoming nature of his co-stars for his performance, noting that their professionalism “allowed me to feel free and allowed me to do my job.”
Sparks in Space: Caleb and Tarima?
Fans of the “slow burn” romance trope might want to keep a close eye on Caleb and Zoë Steiner’s character, Tarima. While Rosta was careful not to break any “Starfleet NDAs,” he couldn’t help but tease the chemistry between the two.
“You’ll see as things play out,” he hinted. “But there is a lot of good tension there between the two characters and the kind of push and pull between them. There is a lot to look forward to.”
With Caleb’s survivalist background and Tarima’s empathic Betazoid nature, that “push and pull” is bound to be one of the most compelling dynamics of this first season.
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy is streaming on Paramount+.
Photo courtesy of George Pimentel / Paramount+
