From Melbourne to the final frontier, Zoë Steiner is having a major moment. Stepping into the next chapter of the Star Trek universe as part of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, which debuted mid-January on Paramount+, the rising star is already signed on for Season 2—and she’s not stopping there.
Playing one of the franchise’s newest cadets alongside Paul Giamatti and Holly Hunter, Steiner brings fresh energy to the iconic series, already fueled by a Comic Con–premiered trailer that’s racked up more than 7.8 million views in just weeks. She recently chatted with us during a break from filming in Toronto to talk about her on- and off-set routines—and what it feels like to take on “Trekkie duty.”
How are you feeling right now as the show finally comes out after months of buzz?
“It feels really good! We all worked really hard. We wrapped Season 1 a full year ago, and it’s finally out. It feels really nice to have our work out in the world and to be getting some really nice feedback from original Trek fans, as well as some newer viewers.”
Were you a Trekkie before? How did you get yourself up to speed with the whole world?
“It’s a lot! I wasn’t a big Star Trek person before. For whatever reason, I hadn’t watched it previously. I think for a lot of us, Holly included—and for a lot of fans—it seems like they were introduced to it as kids. And, oftentimes, the story trickled down from their dad. That wasn’t the case with me. I was definitely, of course, familiar with Star Trek itself. I had the image in my mind of Leonard Nimoy as Spock and the Vulcan salute. But, to be honest, not much more than that. Obviously, once I got cast, I really felt a duty to delve into it.
For me, specifically, I was interested in seeing the next gen and seeing Deanna Troi, another Betazoid. Even then, Tarima is a different type of Betazoid. I definitely wanted to go back and watch it, but it didn’t necessarily inform my acting choices or anything really at all.”
While filming, what helped you get into character? How did you drop into it?
“That’s such a good question. Honestly, costuming really helped me. I remember my first fitting for the red outfit Tarima wears at the Betazoid cocktail party. That really helped me. It got me in touch with her status as the president’s daughter.
As an actor, I always find it hard to answer this question. There are some different rituals I do—even journaling helped me drop in. It’s going to sound a bit cheesy, but playing a telepathic and empathic character, that was really important to me. It was important to me to do things in my daily life that kept me grounded, so I could show up and really be in my body and not too up in the clouds.”
Since we are a beauty magazine, I have to ask, are there any products you really love right now, or any sunscreens from Australia you can recommend?
“One second. Let me go to my bathroom! Makeup-wise, since I was literally a teen, I’ve always loved the Lancôme Hypnose mascara. It’s my favorite mascara. When I was in New York for the premiere, my makeup artist used this Stila Heaven’s Hue highlighter in Opulence. I love cool tones. Anything cool-toned works best for me.
I’ve got my Sun Bum mineral sunscreen, and I finally started using a retinol! The one I use has medical, dermatological vibes going on here. It’s helped me so much. I have extremely sensitive skin, and it was able to quite seamlessly get integrated into the routine. It didn’t irritate or anything.”
That’s key. Word on the street is you’re already filming Season 2. How is that going?
“Well, I’m here in Toronto, and we’ve got a bit under a month left. We’re in the home stretch. That’s what’s right in front of me—wrapping up Season 2. We’re just about to start filming episode 10. Then, I’m not so sure. I have very open plans. When I left to film this season—when I left Melbourne, where I’m from—I moved out of the place I was renting. So I don’t technically have a residence. It’s a good question… I’m not sure. Maybe I’ll move to New York, maybe I’ll go traveling. I like having it open.”
