Nathan Fillion is having a moment. Between suiting up as Guy Gardner in James Gunn's DCU and headlining The Rookie, the actor just added another iconic sci-fi role to his résumé: Captain James T. Kirk. Fillion recently took part in a special script reading of the Star Trek: The Animated Series episode “Mudd’s Passion,” performing the legendary captain for a live audience at a Writers Guild Foundation event.
The reading served as a warm-up for a performance of the very first Star Trek episode ever broadcast, with the cast of The Pitt handling that one. But Fillion and his crew clearly stole the spotlight. Joining him were The Good Place’s D’Arcy Carden as Mr. Spock, comedian Paul Scheer as Montgomery Scott, Adam Arkin as Harry Mudd, and Aimee Garcia as Nurse Chapel. Reports say Fillion absolutely nailed the part, bringing the right mix of charm and bravado to the role.
This isn’t Fillion’s first brush with genre greatness. He’s already a beloved figure in the sci-fi world thanks to his time as Captain Mal Reynolds on Firefly, and he’s been teasing an animated Firefly revival with Alan Tudyk for a while now. That project is still in the works, according to the duo, despite some delays. Meanwhile, Fillion keeps adding to his already impressive portfolio.
Of course, his biggest current gig remains The Rookie, the ABC procedural that’s been a staple since 2018. The show is set to return for a ninth season early next year, though its future beyond that is still up in the air. But even if the series were to end, Fillion has plenty on his plate. He’s already filmed scenes for Man of Tomorrow, the upcoming Superman sequel slated for July 2027, where he’ll reprise his role as Guy Gardner. Aaron Pierre will also return as John Stewart, with David Corenswet and Nicholas Hoult back as Superman and Lex Luthor.
Fillion’s DCU future looks secure, especially with his appearance in the new HBO series Lanterns, which is currently airing new episodes every Sunday. He’s clearly become a key player in Gunn’s universe, and fans are eager to see where his Green Lantern goes next.
For those who love a good Star Trek deep cut, this reading is a delightful treat. It’s a reminder that the franchise’s animated era has its own charm, and seeing actors like Fillion bring these characters to life is a joy. If you’re curious about other Star Trek news or want to keep up with Fillion’s many projects, stay tuned for more updates.
In the meantime, if you’re a fan of The Rookie, you might also enjoy why Bailey Nune deserves more credit or Tim Bradford’s most powerful line. And for more on the DCU, check out how VisionQuest might pay off a Captain America easter egg.
