As mentioned in my review of Star Trek: Prodigy episode 1×12, “Let Sleeping Borg Lie,” I sat down with actor Angus Imrie. We chatted about Zero, the recording process, and more. Angus, while being quite accomplished in his young career, has no pretense about him. He has a genuine kindness in his demeanor that comes across even in a phone conversation.
If you don’t know Angus, aside from Star Trek: Prodigy, he’s also in Emma., Fleabag, Pennyworth, and The Crown. This also isn’t the first time he’s had a Star Trek Captain for a co-star. Angus played Young Merlin in 2019’s The Kid Who Would Be King alongside older Merlin, played by Sir Patrick Stewart. Now that you know a little more about Angus, let’s dig into his thoughts on playing Zero, and in particular, episode 1×12 of Star Trek: Prodigy, “Let Sleeping Borg Lie.”
Meeting the Borg
Angus had quite a bit to say about episode 1×12, “Let Sleeping Borg Lie.” Personally, when I found out that the crew of the Protostar would be meeting the Borg, I was quite nervous! I asked Angus his thoughts on meeting the Borg.
He says:
“I was thrilled! You know being in Star Trek, you want to encounter the most dangerous threats historically that anyone in the Star Trek universe has encountered. It was fantastic to suddenly see it. I mean, it may have been a bit of a surprise, but it was one that I relished, especially because it was such a significant moment for Zero, previously having been a hivemind. They feel as if this is their moment to be the hero, and it’s really important for the crew and them individually that they step up to the plate.”
Angus’ excitement about meeting the Borg shines through in his performance as Zero. I always appreciate when artists give forth their full effort in their work, and Angus certainly does here.
In the Sound Booth
The pandemic has changed the way our media is produced. Being a voice-acting aficionado, I inquired about Angus’ recording process. Surely, with the level of performance given by everyone in Star Trek: Prodigy, they’re all in the same room, right? Actually, no.
Here’s what Angus had to say about recording his performance:
“We are recording individually. I would love to record as an ensemble, but it’s quite tricky because we’re all in different parts of the world. But maybe one day. …I got to meet and know the brilliant Kate Mulgrew and Ella Purnell when we did some publicity in London last year, I think it was, and earlier this year. And that was fantastic. Even if you’re not, I’ve realized as an actor, even when you’re not working together when you’re talking and getting to know one another, that’s just as significant in forming a bond of a relationship as doing the actual work is, so that was a great opportunity to get to know one another and have an idea of what their performances are like.”
In the Sound Booth, Continued
I found that particularly fascinating, especially in Angus’ performance as Zero. Zero is a Medusan, and the way Angus is able to emote while playing a being without a face is very impressive to me.
Here’s what he had to say about his personal recording experiences when I inquired further:
“The fantastic gentleman who does the lines with me, he always gives me the feed line. He’s terribly good at copying the other actors. He has a very good Jason Mantzoukas especially. He loves to do Jankom Pog. So I’m always trying to listen and respond to what he gives me, just before I’m able to do my line, so you’re sort of performing with someone at least.”
I think it’s a testament to the work being done on all fronts at Star Trek: Prodigy when the cast and crew are able to deliver such a fantastic final product without even being in the same room.
The Temptation of the Borg
While the Borg scares the heck out of me, one of the things that I find fascinating in episode 1×12, “Let Sleeping Borg Lie,” is that the Borg proves to be a real temptation for Zero.
Here’s what Angus has to say about that:
“Well, it’s seductive for Zero! And that’s what makes it all the more powerful that they managed to de-assimilate as it were. They [the crew] have really only exclusively seen Zero in their containment suit throughout the entire series up until now, and suddenly they’re [Zero] free from their containment suit. And you realize the guilt and the repression it takes for Zero to be constantly hiding from others for fear of sending them mad.
And so, suddenly Zero dives into this dormant Borg cube and finds that they don’t send them mad and they’re able to be free from their containment suit! They can move around as they wish. So the Borg seduces Zero massively into its hivemind, and so it’s only when listening to Gwyn and her perseverance in trying to get Zero to remember who they are that they are finally able to break free. So absolutely, anything that’s as powerful as the Borg would know how to encapsulate and engross their victims.”
Angus has some great insight here. I appreciate the nuance he describes.
Courage in a Children’s Show
There are some powerful lines in episode 1×12, “Let Sleeping Borg Lie.” I asked Angus about two of them. The first is “What you did to protect me was an act of love and you should never feel shame for that.”
ANGUS: “It’s wonderful you know…the Star Trek universe is this wonderful metaphor for our real lives. There are young people watching this, and they’ll hear that and hope that it resonates in their life. Zero really tears themselves up as a result of their history. They tear themselves up for the fact that they were used as a weapon to hurt others. It’s a constant source of pain. So when they finally manage to have justice served, and they’re able to expose themselves to the Diviner is this great moment of triumph and heroism. The fact that it’s then complicated and ruined by Gwyn seeing them is a further diminishment to Zero. And they need to be reminded by Gwyn that they are motivated exclusively by love, and she will never ever blame them for that, so they’re learning to love themselves as well.”
ME: I think that really rings true with what Zero says at the end of the episode. “I may have harmed others in the past. I now choose to save.” What was it like to perform that compelling line?
ANGUS: “It’s wonderful. It’s a real moment of courage and heroism, as you say. It’s amazing to chart the journey of these characters. For me personally, Zero sees such development and grows in emotional intelligence. They’ve always been curious and brilliant at problem-solving, but to chart their emotional intelligence and then realize that they’re making these incredibly powerful, positive choices that they choose to help others is inspiring for me too. Makes me want to be more courageous in my own life.
But I’m also glad that later on in the series that we see Zero go on a more personal journey so it’s not just about helping others. You know they’re very outwardly direct and constantly thinking of others. But later, we see Zero discover new horizons personally and encounter new sensations that they never thought they would, and I think that’s just as valuable for them to indulge in that way. It’s great.”
Final Thoughts
I’m so glad that Star Trek: Prodigy has such great actors in the show that truly care about their characters. Angus clearly puts his heart into his performance as Zero — and it shows.
Thanks very much to Angus Imrie for his time and thoughtful responses. Thanks also to the good folks at Paramount for setting up this interview and inviting Fangirlish to participate.
What do you think about what Angus has to say about Zero? Leave me a comment, and let’s talk Trek.
You can stream episode 1×12, “Let Sleeping Borg Lie” and all other episodes of Star Trek: Prodigy on Paramount+.
