Star Trek: Discovery premieres this Sunday on CBS. Before the series begins, let’s get to know the captain of the U.S.S. Discovery, Gabriel Lorca.
Captain Lorca is a battle commander, a man that actor Jason Isaacs describes as “made for war.” Lorca is the captain of the Discovery, a ship that gets caught in the middle of a conflict between the Federation and the Klingon Empire.
A Man of War
Lorca hails from the Southern United States and has a southern accent. His crew includes First Officer Michael Burnham, Commander Landry, Lieutenant Saru, Lieutenant Ash Tyler, Lieutenant Paul Stamets, Dr. Hugh Culber, and Cadet Sylvia Tilly.
Lorca will be different than previous Star Trek captains. He has fought in battles before and possibly spent time as a prisoner of war. As opposed to Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Star Trek: The Next Generation) who collected ships, ancient artifacts, and books from 20th Century Earth, Lorca collects “ancient and exotic weapons.”
Lorca’s unique experience as a military tactician is likely why the Federation sends him to investigate the struggles with the Klingons. Whereas Picard was a notorious diplomat, we may be seeing a time in Trek’s history that is less diplomatic and more war-like. It also makes sense that, with Lorca’s military record, Starfleet would send Burnham to assist the captain. She may be the diplomat he needs to help bring peace to the Klingon conflict.
Jason Isaacs is no stranger to the world of science fiction and fantasy storytelling. He previously played Lucius Malfoy in five of the Harry Potter franchise films. He also voices the Grand Inquisitor on Star Wars Rebels. Captain Lorca will be the first character Isaacs has played that’s on the side of the good guys — we hope.
To learn more about Captain Lorca, check out the video above.
Star Trek: Discovery airs on CBS this Sunday, September 24, 2017.
