Bella Shepard acknowledged it was “scary” to be the first actress to portray a representative of a new alien race on “Star Trek: Starfleet Academy.”
“I didn’t really know what to expect when I learned (my character Genesis Lythe) was a new species. It left me feeling lost in the beginning because I didn’t know what to go off of,” she said. “Eventually, I really felt comfortable that I get to create an entire culture, an entire race with my ideas and the writers.”
She added with a laugh, “Now it’s very exciting and very fulfilling to be able to be the leader of the Dar-Sha.”
The Dar-Sha is the aforementioned newly introduced race on “Starfleet Academy,” which debuts Thursday, Jan. 15 on Paramount+, with new episodes streaming weekly. What differentiates them from other well-known alien races in the “Trek” canon, like the Romulans, Vulcans, or Bajorans, is that they have facial ridges without eyebrows. Genesis is an ambitious cadet at the newly reopened Starfleet Academy. The daughter of an admiral, Genesis is determined to make her own name in Starfleet.
“There are so many things about Genesis that I love so much,” Shepard said. “She’s very layered: She’s dynamic, confident, strong and smart, but under all that, she’s got a lot of insecurities. She’s still young and figuring out life, figuring out where she fits in with her peers, and figuring out her goals. I loved being able to bring her to life and give her a story and her own culture.”
“Starfleet Academy” is set in the 32nd century, the far-flung future time period introduced in 2017-24’s “Star Trek: Discovery.” It chronicles the adventures of a new class of Starfleet cadets, the first class in more than a century, as they come of age and train to be officers. Oscar winner Holly Hunter (“The Piano”) portrays Capt. Nahla Ake, the chancellor of the academy. Robert Picardo (who appeared last year at the Motor City Comic Con in Novi) reprises his role as the holographic doctor from “Star Trek: Voyager,” who’s now 900 years old.
“The rest of Season 1 is very emotional and very deep; I hope it touches a lot of people. The final episode is action-packed and full of crazy, crazy special effects. We’re three-quarters of the way filming Season 2 right now, so there’s many different sides to Genesis that I’m excited for people to see that we didn’t get to see in Season 1, but we will see in Season 2. I’m really excited for Season 1 to come out and for everyone to enjoy it. Now that we’re wrapping up Season 2, I can’t wait to talk about Season 2 next,” Shepard said.
“Starfleet Academy” is the 12th TV series in the “Trek” franchise. “Star Trek” (now called “Star Trek: The Original Series”) debuted in 1966, the creation of the late Gene Roddenberry, which chronicled the adventures of Capt. James T. Kirk (William Shatner) and the crew of the Starship Enterprise in the 23rd century. It was one of the first multinational casts on network television.
When it was cancelled after the third season in 1969, it found a new life in syndication and developed a cult status. Its renewed popularity brought back the original crew in 1979’s “Star Trek: The Motion Picture,” followed by five more big-screen adventures. The “Trek” universe expanded in 1987 with “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” followed in 1993 by “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine” and in 1995 with “Voyager,” a period many Trekkies consider the franchise’s golden age.
Additionally, “Trek” has boasted 13 feature films and numerous novels, games and toys. The franchise received a shot in the arm when director J.J. Abrams (“Lost,” “Star Wars”) relaunched it with 2009’s “Star Trek,” which recast the characters from “The Original Series.”
The franchise turns 60 this year. Shepard said she’s proud and humbled to be a part of it.
“I’m so incredibly honored that I get to be just even a small piece of what ‘Star Trek’ means to the fans,” she said. “I feel like I’m joining a big family, honestly, because generations of people have loved ‘Star Trek’ for so long and everyone’s been so welcoming of me and my fellow cadets joining this universe.”
Shepard also shared her insights on the franchise’s staying power after 60 years.
“It’s integrated into every area of pop culture, even if you don’t realize it,” she said. “From the beginning, ‘Star Trek’ has been all about inclusivity, family and community. For humanity in general, it’s just natural for us to want to find community and our people. Because it’s so inclusive and there’s a little piece of everybody in the ‘Star Trek’ universe, people for generations have been able to spot themselves and their loved ones in characters in ‘Star Trek.’ (Seeing) those similarities in ourselves is what keeps us so attracted to this universe and want to stay connected to it.”
Shepard continued: “My grandparents watched ‘The Original Series.’ They put on (‘Voyager’ and ‘TNG’) when my aunts, uncles and mom were kids. It’s always reminded me of family, especially the older series like (‘TNG’). It’s very nostalgic for me. It reminds me so much of my grandparents. … My grandpa’s a huge ‘Star Trek’ fan. It reminds me of him. I get to be a part of this universe and share it with him and make him proud!”
Who is Bella Shepard?
An only child, Bella Shepard, 24, was born in Royal Oak. She lived in Waterford, Flint and Grand Blanc before moving to Los Angeles in 2015. Her first break in acting was appearing in 2013’s “Oz the Great and Powerful,” which was filmed in Pontiac and directed by fellow Royal Oak native Sam Raimi (“The Evil Dead,” “Spider-Man”).
Shepard has appeared on “Wolf Pack” alongside Sarah Michelle Gellar (“Buffy the Vampire Slayer”), as well as “Life in Pieces,” “Orange is the New Black,” “iCarly,” “A Girl Named Jo,” “Grace and Frankie” (starring Hollywood icons Jane Fonda and Detroit native Lily Tomlin), “On the Ropes” and “My Haunted House.” She currently plays Genesis Lythe on “Star Trek: Starfleet Academy.”
Although she’s lived in L.A. for 11 years, she said she has a special place in her heart for Michigan.
“Every time I visit home, I always eat a bunch of food! (The Clarkston Union Bar & Kitchen) – their mac-n-cheese is the bomb! The Holly Donut Shop is a classic. I miss Lake Oakland. I spent a lot of time there growing up. I miss living on the lake,” she said. “I’ll give a shout-out to my very first acting coach, who’s also my mentor. His name is Jerry Hayes. I would not be where I am today, let alone acting at all, if I didn’t know Jerry Hayes. He taught me so much about love and life, as well as the beauty and joy of being an actor. It’s an incredibly vulnerable and intense career path, but Jerry has made it seamlessly a beautiful experience for me, and I would not be here without him.”
