Exclusive: David Ajala On Book’s Recent Decisions On Star Trek: Discovery Season 4
After a few weeks off, Season four of STAR TREK: DISCOVERY on Paramount+ returns with new episodes on Thursday, Feb. 10.
Season four of STAR TREK: DISCOVERY finds Captain Burnham and the crew of the U.S.S. Discovery facing a threat unlike any they’ve ever encountered. With Federation and non-Federation worlds alike feeling the impact, they must confront the unknown and work together to ensure a hopeful future for all.
STAR TREK: DISCOVERY season four cast members include Sonequa Martin-Green (Captain Michael Burnham), Doug Jones (Saru), Anthony Rapp (Paul Stamets), Mary Wiseman (Sylvia Tilly), Wilson Cruz (Dr. Hugh Culber), David Ajala (Cleveland “Book” Booker), Blu del Barrio (Adira) and recurring guest star Ian Alexander (Gray).
In tonight’s episode (408) - Following a hunch, Captain Burnham tracks Book to an old haunt from their courier days and gets drawn into a high-stakes competition for a powerful weapon.
Blackfilmandtv.com caught up with Ajala to get a better sense of where his character Book is headed after his recent decisions were none to pleasing to his colleagues and Burn
What's gone on Book? Is he gone rogue all of a sudden?
David Ajala: A few people have asked that and it's likely that he probably is going rogue. He made a massive decision publicly to go against what Star Fleet stands for and to partner up with Tarka to pursue because responsible and the DMA.
Have you given the have you been given what the story arc would be throughout the whole season?
David Ajala: Ordinarily, I'm happy to kind of know the full season arc. But there's something about this season in particular that I thought it'd be more advantageous and beneficial for me to just go episode by episode. So when I am reading, and shooting each episode, I have no idea what's coming next. But I kind of like keeping that spontaneity and element of surprise available as we add new territory. I enjoyed that. I enjoyed that process.
This season is 11 episodes compared to last season's 13. Does it feel like it's shorter? Or does it feel like it's being rushed?
David Ajala: No. We managed to shoot 13 episodes in middle of the pandemic. That was a Herculean effort, and a mini miracle. The amount of stuff we managed to pack in these 13 episodes is very impressive. So as we come back into middle of season four, you guys are in for a treat.
What's Book's relationship with Burn coming going forward? The trajectory all of a sudden is no longer steady?
David Ajala: With true love, it never did runs smooth Wilson. Like I said, the plot thickens, by I really do believe that if this love is true, and unconditional and abundant, it will last but it will be tested. Greatly.
How's it been so far shooting the series?
David Ajala: The gifts that keep on giving. And that's because of the fans. And that's because of the cosmic crew that I get to work with. They are a wonderful bunch of human beings. It's just a joy. Absolutely joy.
How much of a fan were you of the show or franchise prior to you coming onboard?
David Ajala: Here's the thing. Star Trek has been a huge franchise and been popular for many, many years before I came on. And so when you join the show, you're joining a history of stories, which have touched many people's lives. So when I joined, I joined as someone who's just curious about as well and very aware of them, per se. I think how I became a fan, knowing how much these stories touch the fans, vicariously through them. But being part of this family has been a real blessing. And I'm really looking forward to see how we delve much deeper.
How’s working with a lot of CGI?
David Ajala: It was crazy. You kind of get used to it. Absolutely. You have to tap into the element of your imagination that allows you to believe that as you're driving this spaceship, and there is another spaceship coming towards you. And they're firing cannons or proton cannons or whatever. You have to deal with that. It's fun, but then they remind you the level of commitment, which is required to really commit and execute.