Cleveland “Book” Booker has become one of the more polarizing figures in Star Trek: Discovery. After defying the Federation and using illegal weapons during Season 4 in an attempt to avenge the destruction of his home planet Kwejian, Book is seeking redemption in Season 5 while the USS Discovery pursues criminals Moll and L’ak. However, after learning that Moll is the daughter of his mentor from Kwejian, Book takes the mission much more personally.
In an interview with CBR, Star Trek: Discovery actor David Ajala explains the personal nature of Book’s journey and motivations in Season 5, discusses his character’s changing and increasingly complex dynamic with Burnham this season and reflects on getting to be a part of the wider Star Trek franchise as Discovery nears its final bow.
CBR: After Star Trek: Discovery Season 4 kept Book away from the Discovery more often than not, how is it to be back in the thick of the action with Burnham in Season 5?
David Ajala:
I’ve
mentioned before how Cleveland Booker has been afforded an act of grace
, for a second chance to make amends. This season has a redemptive arc for him. Getting to be back in the thick of the action is just where Cleveland Booker is comfortable. I really do believe that he always wants to be of service, so whenever they need him, and he gets the call from [the] Bat-Phone, he’s happy to be there. It only takes Michael Burnham to say “I need you. We need you,” and he’ll be there. He has such a fierce loyalty to Michael Burnham — and such a great, deep love for her too.
The discovery of Moll’s connection to Book’s mentor and Kwejian changes everything for him. Do you feel Book is trying to find atonement by reaching out to Moll?
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I think that’s something that Cleveland Booker is deeply pursuing, but is not pressurized externally to have to do. He’s the kind of individual that has to see justice served. He’s the kind of individual that wants to be of service, always. In this instance now, where the only way to be of service is to reach out to an individual who is actively shutting you down and doesn’t want to be a part of you, the only way that Cleveland Booker is able to overcome that and still reach Moll is because of the abundance of grace, patience and kindness that he has. I think because of his experiences, he is well-positioned to intercede on behalf of Moll, to try and build some bridges.
Looking back at where Book was at the start of Star Trek: Discovery Season 3 — the courier enjoying his independence around the galaxy — do you think he sees a part of himself in Moll?
He is absolutely doing that, but I think it’s an unconscious thing that he’s doing, which is why it gets really interesting and more nuanced, because you see how far these feelings go in trying to intercede on Moll’s behalf. That happens when we get into dangerous territory, which has echoes of
what happened in Season 4, when Cleveland Booker was actively trying to seek revenge
or get justice.You can see how it’s a very complicated situation. I think he’s only able to go as far as he does because of the love that Michael Burnham has for him, and he’s also very aware not to take advantage of that.
Season 3 was a very physically-oriented season for Book, and Season 4 was more introspective as he contemplated how far he would go after losing Kwejian. Star Trek: Discovery Season 5 has big action scenes, but also quiet moments as Book and Burnham realize things are different between them. How do you play that balance?
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Balance and introspection, micro and macro, for me as an actor, is always a wonderful opportunity to find that light and shade because we go from “We’re saving the universe” or “We’re saving thousands of people” to “Oh, you look different.” I love the attention of detail that they have [for] each other, because they recognize each other so well.
I think it’s the nature of their relationship that makes them so special, because I really do believe that they bring out the best in each other. But it is also bittersweet because they recognize that they’re in different territory — there’s a distance between the two of them, in that they don’t quite recognize each other.
Since you now have several seasons of Discovery to your credit, how was it welcoming several new cast members in Season 5?
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Having Callum [Keith Rennie],
Eve [Harlow] and Elias [Toufexis] join the show
has just been so much fun. They’re all uniquely individual, talented and great, but for me, it’s what they bring to the franchise and what they bring to the set. They just bring such warmth, passion and kindness to the set. I got to work quite a bit with Eve and Elias, and Callum a little bit.I wish I got to work with Callum more. That guy is so wonderful and, similar to Wilson Cruz, I don’t think people understand how funny he is. He is hilarious! Being the previous new kid on the block and welcoming the guys into the fold felt like a pleasure, but they didn’t really need much because they were so good to go.
You’ve taken Book on this journey from being independent courier to someone who lost everything and is now working towards redemption. What does playing that character arc mean to you?
With someone like Cleveland Booker, there is a reason why he is a lone ranger; it’s him and Grudge. It’s not because he’s afraid of love; I just think he’s just used to operating the way that he does — which is why
the end of [Discovery] Season 3 was so powerful
, because we see how Cleveland Booker sees the benefits of being a part of Starfleet. He had to see that being part of Starfleet because of Michael Burnham isn’t enough. I think it’s such a treat that the audience gets to see that.I’m also very thankful that Cleveland Booker was given a second chance because I believe, in life, some of us may need to be afforded a second chance, because we’re all human with the best of intentions. To see his fall from grace and his rise up [to] be of service to people is such a wonderful lesson to learn in life.
As you prepare to say goodbye to Cleveland Booker, at least for now, how would you describe being part of this nearly 60-year Star Trek franchise?
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My character joined in
Season 3, which was set a thousand years into the future
. I purposefully didn’t watch too many episodes of
Star Trek: Discovery,
because I didn’t want to be too familiar with the characters. When I was on set, everything was new to me. I wasn’t familiar with individual characters’ idiosyncrasies. The freedom of that really allowed me to flow, really enjoy it and break some of the rules, because I had nothing to compare it to. I’m really happy that was my process in joining this franchise, because I really do believe it gave this character such wonderful levity.
Created by Bryan Fuller and Alex Kurtzman, Star Trek: Discovery releases new episodes Thursdays on Paramount+.
