‘Star Trek: Prodigy’ Based This Villain on ‘The Wrath of Khan’
The next installment of the Star Trek franchise is animated. Star Trek: Prodigy is Paramount+’s latest Trek series, aimed at youngsters. The show begins when a group of teenagers steal a starship. They step in even deeper trouble when intergalactic villains come after them. It’ll be The Wrath of Khan all over again if the storytellers have done their job.
Paramount+ presented a panel on Star Trek: Prodigy for the Television Critics Association over Zoom on August 31. Executive producers Kevin Hageman, Dan Hageman and Ben Hibon previewed the new villains this young crew will face. Star Trek: Prodigy premieres Oct. 21 on Paramount+.
‘Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan’ inspired the villain of ‘Star Trek: Prodigy’
The Diviner, voiced by John Noble, is the father of Gwyn, voiced by Ella Prunell. Gwyn is one of the teenagers on the ship and her father is also the big bad. Kevin Hageman said The Wrath of Khan villain Khan Noonien Singh (Ricardo Montalban) was also a major influence on The Diviner.
“Let me add about The Diviner, when we were coming up with that character, we were inspired by Montalban and the character of Khan, just full of emotion,” Kevin said. “That’s why John Noble is this wonderful voice to give that.”
The Diviner isn’t the only villain on ‘Star Trek: Prodigy’
Like every good villain, The Diviner also has henchmen. Dan Hageman explained the foes of Star Trek: Prodigy, as well as how they work together..
“We have The Diviner, played by John Noble, who is Gwyn’s father, who is someone out there after the Protostar, the one thing that the kids need to find their salvation,” Dan Hageman said. “And Jimmi Simpson is playing Drednok, The Diviner’s temporal android who essentially is there to keep The Diviner on task.”
Even though they hope The Diviner can follow in Khan’s footsteps, the dynamic between Diviner and Drednok has roots on the Starship Enterprise.
“The relationship between The Diviner and Drednok is a little bit like Kirk and Spock,” Dan Hageman said. “John Noble’s character spills emotion, and Jimmi Simpson’s is attuned to precision and the softness.”
You haven’t seen all of The Diviner yet
Star Trek: Prodigy revealed the first look of the Diviner, but you’ll notice he remains hidden in his chamber. Hibon said you’ll find out who is really in there as Star Trek: Prodigy continues.
“You’ve seen his silhouette in this mysterious tank,” Hibon said. “He’s being kept alive in this structure here. So he literally is a very, very faint silhouette and figure you see within the tank. There’s a lot more to be revealed about this character.”
Fortunately, Hibon could say more about Drednok.
“I think in terms of Drednok, we wanted this towering, very ominous, very also mysterious in its technology, in its fabrication,” Hibon said. “Having a great contrast between is his very impressive, imposing look, very austere like this and Jimmi is very, very subtle, very measured, and creates a great contrast between the two. He’s towering over everyone. This is a very enigmatic character.”
