The Star Trek universe has always been a topic of fascination for fans from all over the world. For Todd Stashwick being given the opportunity to join the cast of Picard as Captain Liam Shaw was a lifelong dream come true. The seasoned actor has made a name for himself in the entertainment world and his portrayal of the memorable character on Picard has only solidified his place in the hearts of fans far and wide.

Captain Shaw's Role in Picard

Captain Shaw was first introduced to the Star Trek universe in the first season of Star Trek Picard as a bit of an antagonist opposing the beloved Jean-Luc Picard and his team. Stashwick talked about how Shaw's character was established as the captain of a federation ship that was trying to broker a deal with some desperate people. However as the show progressed Shaw's character evolved and his secret brought him into conflict with the main characters.

Stashwick went on to reveal that Captain Shaw's presence and behavior in the show were rooted mainly in Shaw's backstory. Captain Shaw had to dig deep to survive a difficult background and to gain entry into Starfleet where he found a sense of structure and purpose. However he also had to navigate the tricky waters of its machinations and politics. This gave Stashwick a lot of material to work with and made Captain Shaw's character more complex than he initially appeared.

Stashwick on Fan Reception

Despite the initial negative reaction from some fans towards his character Stashwick notes that the fans' reactions quickly changed over the course of the season. He shared that the moment he realized that Shaw had resonated was when the tsunami of memes began. It was incredible to see the fan reaction and to be part of this universe that he had been a fan of since he was a kid.

Stashwick on Coping with Fame

One of the challenges that came with his portrayal of Captain Shaw was the influx of attention that resulted from his successful performances. Stashwick revealed that after the first episode in which his character appeared he received over 13000 direct messages on his Instagram account. "I had to figure out the healthiest way to deal with all of the direct messages. I realized I only had so much bandwidth to preserve my energy" Stashwick shared.

To maintain a healthy balance Stashwick followed specific strategies such as setting a fixed time to check his social accounts switching off his phone and staying away from certain activities that would drain his energy. Stashwick also found solace in interacting with fans on social media even taking on the role of a "little troll" at times. He enjoyed catching fans off guard when they realized he was following the conversations and participating.

Stashwick's Career

In a career that spans over two decades Todd Stashwick has acted in numerous TV shows and films starting with the TV crime drama Diagnosis Murder in 1995. He has since gone on to act in such popular TV shows as Law & Order Malcolm in the Middle and Supernatural. In his career as an actor he has played a variety of roles but he shared that the most memorable role he has ever played was Richard Speck in an episode of Criminal Minds where he had to do a lot of research to prepare for the role.

Beyond his acting pursuits Stashwick is immersed in geek culture and is currently co-writing a Captain America-Black Panther game for Marvel with the goal of bringing diverse voices and perspectives to the world of gaming. He also runs a website where he sells geeky merchandise such as t-shirts and enamel pins.

What's Next for Stashwick

When asked what's next for him in terms of his acting career Stashwick stated that he was looking for his next adventure. "The best things that have happened to me in my career have been the things that I could not have anticipated. I'm eager to see what that next adventure is going to be."

Stashwick is cautious of being boxed into a particular type of character or acting mold. He is continually looking for new challenges that would allow him to showcase the diversity of his acting skills. However he is still keeping an open mind and is willing to take on roles that challenge his creativity and ability.

Stashwick and Geek Culture

For Todd Stashwick being a part of geek culture comes naturally and it's something that he has been passionate about since childhood. He grew up playing role-playing games like Dungeons & Dragons reading comic books and watching movies like Star Wars and Star Trek.

His passion for the geek culture is such that he has a website where he sells geeky merchandise such as t-shirts enamel pins and more. Stashwick is also heavily involved in the gaming industry and has lent his voice and writing skills to numerous video games. His involvement in the gaming industry allows him to combine his love of acting and nerd culture.

Stashwick's Love for Storytelling

For Stashwick the love of storytelling has always been the driving force behind his acting and other creative projects. He believes that stories can bring people together and helps build a sense of community. They provide people with a way to deal with difficult situations promote understanding and encourage empathy.

Stashwick is currently working on a project that highlights this belief. He is co-writing a podcast series titled "The Moment" that explores the transformative power of storytelling. Throughout the podcast Stashwick and his co-host Kimmy Robertson will interview various artists musicians writers and performers about their experiences with storytelling.

In conclusion Todd Stashwick is an accomplished actor writer and geek culture enthusiast with a bright future ahead of him. His passion for the art of storytelling whether it is through acting gaming or podcasting sees him continually pushing boundaries with each new creative project that he works on. His portrayal of Captain Shaw in Star Trek Picard is a testament to his talent as an actor and his resolve to take on roles that challenge him creatively. Fans can eagerly anticipate seeing what he has in the works and where his artistic journey will take him next.