Jason Isaacs says new Trek "of our time, for our time"
As we once again tentatively set our Phasers to stun, it is fair to say that Netflix original Star Trek: Discovery so far has shown a lot of promise.
But with any new iteration of Star Trek, there are always feelings of doubt across the proverbial galaxy and Starfleet's Captain Gabriel Lorca, Jason Isaacs, spoke to Digital Spy about sharing some of the same worries.
"I wouldn't have ever wanted to do it if I thought it was a reboot or that I was treading on any echoes of the Star Treks that have been before," he said. "What's the point? It was done so f**king brilliantly.
"Ours is a completely different show; it's Star Trek of our time, for our time."
Related: Star Trek: Discovery episode 5 review – 'Choose Your Pain' takes the series down a darker path
Such statements are not without merit as the new series is the first to feature an openly gay character but also continues to promote diversity at a time when the issue is at the forefront.
"I am not so stupid to think that telling stories is going to change the world at a time when the most powerful man in the world seems to be advocating for right wing, white supremacist groups," Isaacs said.
"You are taking in a vision though of a future where people of all races, nationalities and sexualities work together in harmony and that's a pretty healthy contrast to the stuff you are being told about how we should all hate each other and separate from each other."
Although we're only five episodes into the new series, it seems Star Trek: Discovery has been well-received both by fans and critics alike. But any talk of a possible film, Isaacs admits, is premature.
"Hey, listen, we are only on episode five! Let's not get ahead of ourselves, let's hope that people keep watching and enjoying this."
Comparisons to previous captains are inevitable and the decision to give Captain Lorca a Southern accent and not his native one was one not made for Isaacs but one he chose.
He explained: "It's not that I wasn't allowed but there's no way I was going to be some pale shadow of Patrick Stewart's brilliance. I wanted to create something original, new and different. Our Star Trek is different and new and people seem to be loving it."
Jason Isaacs stars in Armando Iannucci's The Death of Stalin, out in cinemas on October 20.
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