Audacious choices of Picard’s Liam Shaw: Todd Stashwick’s impact on the Star Trek Universe (video interview).

Join Dominic, Connor, Erica, and Mark as they engage in a lively conversation with the charismatic Todd Stashwick, best known as Captain Shaw from Star Trek Picard Season 3. In this entertaining discussion, Todd shares his journey from his Chicago roots to pursuing a career in the arts, inspired by his admiration for Bill Murray and leading him to comedy and the Second City.

The conversation covers Todd’s experience working on Star Trek: Enterprise, his passion for Dungeons and Dragons, and his DnD-inspired cocktail book, Mystic Libations. Additionally, the group delves into the development of his fan-favorite character, Captain Shaw, as well as some behind-the-scenes tidbits.

Born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago, Stashwick’s love for making people laugh led him to pursue a career in comedy. After graduating from Illinois State University with a degree in theater, he performed at several local improvisational theaters before achieving his dream of joining The Second City. Following productions in Detroit and the Northwest, Stashwick relocated to New York, where he auditioned for Saturday Night Live the same year that fellow Second City alumnus David Koechner joined the cast.

Stashwick’s work in film and television brought him to Los Angeles, where he appeared in numerous pilots and series, including MDs, American Dreams, Rodney, and Still Standing. In 2018, he was cast as Dr. Drakken in the Disney Channel film Kim Possible, which premiered in February 2019.

In addition to his acting career, Stashwick co-created the online webcomic Devil Inside with DC and Marvel artist Dennis Calero. The comic follows Jack Springheel, aka The Devil, who has a crisis of conscience and escapes from hell. Stashwick and Calero are currently developing a pilot script for a swashbuckling space adventure drama titled Clandestine with the Syfy channel.

Stashwick’s talent also extends to the gaming industry, where he co-wrote a video game set in the Star Wars universe with Amy Hennig for Electronic Arts and Visceral Games. Unfortunately, the project was later canceled. With an impressive range of projects under his belt, Todd Stashwick continues to leave his mark on both the acting and writing worlds.

The episode also features a fun round of Star Trek Trivia and an amusing segment called “Stuck on a Deserted Island with Connor Trinneer.” Tune in for an enjoyable time with Todd Stashwick, Star Trek’s first “gen-x” Captain, and get ready for some laughs.