The 32nd century is about to get a lot more intuitive. In the new series Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, Zoë Steiner steps into the boots of Tarima, a Betazoid War College (!) cadet carrying on the legacy of one of the franchise’s most beloved species.
At the Toronto premiere, The TV Watercooler had the opportunity to discuss with Steiner the deep responsibility of playing an empath, her research into Trek royalty, and the “power” of being sensitive.
Honouring Betazoid Legacy
For fans of The Next Generation, the mention of a Betazoid immediately brings to mind Counselor Deanna Troi (Marina Sirtis). Steiner was quick to confirm she did her homework, diving into the history of the race of “empaths with a capital E.”
“Their sensitivity and empathic abilities run very, very deep,” Steiner explains. “To the point of also being telepathic.”
When asked about working with Star Trek legend Jonathan Frakes, who directed episodes of the new series, Steiner lit up. While she kept the specific advice under wraps, she noted the sentiment of the Betazoid legacy was always present on set – even down the meaning of “Imzadi.”
Not Your Average “Gossip Girl”
Having the ability to know everyone’s secret might sound like a dream for a socialite, but Steiner insists Tarima isn’t using her powers for high-school style drama. When asked if being an empath makes her “Gossip Girl” of the academy, Steiner laughed it off: “No, that’s not vibe. This is not a vibe.”
Instead, Steiner views her character’s sensitivity as a source of strength rather than a social shortcut. If she had to choose a “yearbook quote” for her character’s senior year, it would be a message of empowerment.
“I don’t even know if I have the exact right words, but the sentiment would be: ‘You’re not too sensitive, and trust in your power.”
Behind the Scenes: Class Clowns and Mirror Universes
While the show handles high-stakes sci-fi, life on the set is a bit more grounded. Steiner revealed the title of “Class Clown” goes to her co-star Romeo Carere, who plays Tarima’s brother Ocam.
As for the future? Steiner is already looking toward the darker side of the franchise. When asked if she’d like to play a “Mirror Universe” version of Tarima – a staple of Star Trek lore where characters are their most villainous selves – her answer was immediate: “Oh, yeah. That’s like an actor’s dream.”
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy is streaming on Paramount+.
Photo courtesy of George Pimentel / Paramount+
