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The MGM+ miniseries Nine Bodies in a Mexican Morgue already has guessing as to who is killing the survivors of a plane crash. That includes stars Peter Gadiot and David Ajala, who portray Carlos and Zack respectively. Though the two actors had some of the scripts in advance, they chose to remain in the dark about the murderous twist.

In an interview with Cbr, Star Trek: Discovery alum Ajala and Gadiot explained why they didn't want to spoil the show for themselves. They also spoke about how their work in Nine Bodies is different from anything that audiences have seen them in before. Plus, learn what they took away from the filming experience.

Cbr: What initially interested you in your Nine Bodies in a Mexican Morgue charaters, Carlos and Zack? What got you excited about the show as actors?

Peter Gadiot: One of the things that [attracted] me to the project...

Mad Bills to Pay is director Joel Alfonso Vargas’s feature adaptation of his short film May it Go Beautifully for You, Rico. The film follows Rico, his family and his girlfriend as they adjust to the latter’s new pregnancy. The film is a 2025 Sundance Film Festival Next selection and was shot by Rufai Ajala, who also served as Dp on the original short. Below, Ajala discusses translating New York’s summer heat into visuals and the advantages of shooting in New York City. Filmmaker: How and why did you wind up being the cinematographer […]

The post “We Wanted to Get Across a Sense of the Overbearing Heat”: Dp Rufai Ajala on Mad Bills to Pay first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.

Mad Bills to Pay is director Joel Alfonso Vargas’s feature adaptation of his short film May it Go Beautifully for You, Rico. The film follows Rico, his family and his girlfriend as they adjust to the latter’s new pregnancy. The film is a 2025 Sundance Film Festival Next selection and was shot by Rufai Ajala, who also served as Dp on the original short. Below, Ajala discusses translating New York’s summer heat into visuals and the advantages of shooting in New York City. Filmmaker: How and why did you wind up being the cinematographer […]

The post “We Wanted to Get Across a Sense of the Overbearing Heat”: Dp Rufai Ajala on Mad Bills to Pay first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.

Exclusive: Netflix’s feature take of Ruth Ware bestselling novel The Woman in Cabin 10 has added a slew of actors to the Keira Knightley project.

Joining the two-time Oscar nominees are Guy Pearce, Hannah Waddingham, David Ajala, Gitte Witt, Art Malik, Daniel Ings, David Morrissey, Christopher Rygh, Paul Kaye, Kaya Scodelario, Lisa Loven Kongsli and Gugu Mbatha-Raw.

The Woman in Cabin 10 follows a journalist who witnesses a passenger being thrown overboard a luxury yacht at night — only to be told that it didn’t happen as all the passengers and crew are accounted for. Despite no one believing her, she continues to look for answers, putting her own life in danger.

Simon Stone, who directed The Daughter and The Dig, is helming off of a script he wrote with Joe Shrapnel & Anna Waterhouse (Snake Eyes). Producers are Sister and Debra Hayward. EPs are Ilda Diffley for Sister and Richard Hewitt.

David Ajala shared his emotional experience filming the heartfelt scene in Star Trek: Discovery's series finale epilogue. The future-set coda showcases the love between Michael Burnham, Cleveland Booker, and their son, Leto. The scene highlights the importance of courage, passing down values through generations in the Star Trek franchise.

David Ajala describes the experience of filming Star Trek: Discovery's series finale epilogue, and the "courage" of Cleveland Booker and Admiral Michael Burnham's (Sonequa Martin-Green) family. Months after Paramount+ announced Star Trek: Discovery season 5 would be the final season, the cast and crew reassembled in Toronto to film a coda for the entire series. Flashing forward 30 years into the future, Discovery reveals Michael Burnham and Cleveland Booker are happily married with an adult son named Leto (Sawandi Wilson).

David Ajala spoke exclusively to Screen Rant at McM Comic Con in London where he was asked about going back to...

Warning: Contains Spoilers for Star Trek: Discovery's Series Finale, "Life, Itself"

Cleveland Booker regains a piece of Kwejian's World Root in Star Trek: Discovery's finale, symbolizing his lost planet's connection to him. Sanctuary Four, home to Book and Burnham 30 years later, thrives with Kwejian's World Root, reviving Kwejian's traditions and memories. Kwejian's significance lies in its people's connection to the World Root, symbolizing unity and heritage for Book's renewed homeworld on Sanctuary Four.

Cleveland Booker (David Ajala) subtly gets his dead planet of Kwejian back in the series finale of Star Trek: Discovery. Book lost his home planet in Star Trek: Discovery season 4, episode 1, "Kobayashi Maru", when Kwejian fell in the path of the Dark Matter Anomaly. Book had only recently reconciled with his estranged family, and found peace in reconnecting with his brother, Kyheem (Ache Hernandez) and nephew, Leto (Luca Doulgeris). Before Book's eyes, the Dma tore apart Kwejian,...

David Ajala is open to exploring the "lost year" storyline between Michael Burnham and Book in Star Trek: Discovery season 3. The year of adventures with Book and Grudge helped Burnham and Book grow into the individuals they are in the series. Ajala believes that Burnham and Book are meant to be in each other's lives forever, despite the challenges they face in their relationship.

Star Trek: Discovery's David Ajala would love to tell the story of the lost year Cleveland Booker and Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green) spent together in season 3. Following Star Trek: Discovery's time jump to the 32nd century, Commander Burnham literally crashed into Book at the start of Discovery season 3's premiere. Burnham arrived in the year 3188 and didn't know if the USS Discovery would make it to the 32nd century. Before Discovery did arrive a year later, Michael and Book spent that time traveling the...

Book (David Ajala) may not be able to get through to Moll (Eve Harlow), one of the crew’s foes this season in pursuit of a great power—and also someone he considers all he has left of family, given she’s his mentor’s daughter—but maybe the rest of the final season of Star Trek: Discovery will be a bit easier for him? Not likely. Not only is there his and Captain Michael Burnham’s (Sonequa Martin-Green) complicated relationship, but the crew’s mission is to find technology from a race of ancient beings called the Progenitors who created life as we know it. Below, Ajala teases what’s ahead for both and more Grudge, plus talks about saying goodbye (or not) to Book and the show. Book and Michael’s relationship remains so complicated. How does he feel about her at this point? David Ajala: They will...

David Ajala is open to reprising his role as Cleveland Booker in Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, as long as his cat Grudge is involved. In Star Trek: Discovery season 5, Book assists Captain Michael Burnham in uncovering clues to the ancient Progenitors' treasure. Ajala jokes about Chancellor Grudge at Starfleet Academy, emphasizing the importance of respecting the Queen's name.

Star Trek: Discovery's David Ajala says he would return as Cleveland Booker in Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, but his cat Grudge has to come along, too. Star Trek: Discovery season 5 is the final season, and Book is playing a key role in helping Captain Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green) hunt for clues to the ancient treasure of the Progenitors. Although Grudge isn't seeing much action, the Queen is enjoying herself in Book's quarters on the USS Discovery as Cleveland and Michael do the dirty work.

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Cleveland Booker's relationship with Michael Burnham in 3 seasons of Star Trek: Discovery was like "lightning in a bottle," says David Ajala. The final season of Discovery sees Book and Burnham on an intergalactic quest for ancient treasure, while redefining their broken romance. David Ajala believes their relationship is both exciting and safe, bringing out the best in each other as they save the galaxy.

Star Trek: Discovery's David Ajala looks back on his 3 seasons playing Cleveland Booker opposite Sonequa Martin-Green's Captain Michael Burnham, calling their relationship "lightning in a bottle." Star Trek: Discovery season 5 is the final season, which reunites Book and Burnham on an intergalactic quest for the ancient treasure of the Progenitors. Meanwhile, Michael and Booker look to redefine and reconcile their broken romance as they work together to save the galaxy.

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In an upcoming exclusive interview with Screen Rant,...

David Ajala says Cleveland Booker could have potentially joined Starfleet after Star Trek: Discovery season 5 under certain conditions. Booker's expertise as a former courier is key in the battle against villainous couriers Moll and L'ak. Personal autonomy is crucial to Booker, but he would consider a hybrid role with Starfleet if it allowed him to maintain control.

Star Trek: Discovery's David Ajala explains that Cleveland Booker could "potentially" join Starfleet but under certain conditions. In Star Trek: Discovery season 5, Book is back working for Starfleet alongside his former love interest, Captain Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green). Booker's expertise as a former courier is crucial to the USS Discovery beating the villainous Moll (Eve Harlow) and L'ak (Elias Toufexis), who are couriers themselves, to the ancient treasure of the Progenitors.

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In an exclusive upcoming interview with Screen Rant, David Ajala was asked whether...

Star Trek: Discovery Season 5 marks the last voyage of the USS Discovery. Among the crew joining Captain Michael Burnham on a vitally important Starfleet mission on the fringe of the galaxy are the Discovery's first officer Saru and Burnham’s former paramour Cleveland "Book" Booker -- both lending their expertise to help defend the United Federation of Planets. However, as the final season starts, both Saru and Book find themselves thinking heavily about their respective futures.

In an interview with Cbr, Star Trek: Discovery stars Doug Jones and David Ajala share how they approached the changes facing their characters going into Season 5. They also reflect on their proudest moments across Discovery's many episodes. The final season premieres April 5, 2024 on Paramount+.

Cbr: When viewers see Saru and Book at the start of Star Trek: Discovery Season 5, they're both at major existential crossroads. How did you bring those dimensions to the characters?...

An away mission where Saru and Booker endure an epic journey of survival? That scenario may not play out in the fifth and final season of Star Trek: Discovery, but when it comes to Star Trek, anything is possible. “I would love for Captain Saru (Doug Jones) and Cleveland Booker to do an away mission together,” David Ajala recently admitted to a round table interview with journalists. Ajala, who plays Cleveland "Book" Booker in Star Trek: Discovery, added: “I think that just would have been glorious. That would be really amazing. And I think Cleveland Booker would be very impressed by Saru's ability on the battlefield.”

For now, audiences will be impressed by the sheer dynamism of Discovery’s—affectionately known as Disco—final ride. The series, led by executive producers/co-showrunners Alex Kurtzman and Michelle Paradise, packs a lot in across these last 10 episodes, which hit Paramount+ on Apr.

“Between season 1 and season 5 is an entire life.” That’s a real understatement on the part of Sonequa Martin-Green in an interview with Den of Geek magazine, describing the five-season and seven-year journey of her character Michael Burnham, the protagonist of Star Trek: Discovery.

When we first met Burnham way back in 2017, she was the first officer on the USS Shenzhou, a Starfleet ship operating about a decade before the events of The Original Series, and under the command of Captain Philippa Georgiou (Michelle Yeoh). By the end of the two-part premiere, Georgiou was dead and Burnham was in prison for mutiny.

Things have certainly changed since then. We begin Discovery‘s fifth and final season with Captain Michael Burnham of the USS Discovery, but adventuring over 900 years after the events of the premiere. Yeah, it’s been a wild journey, one that incurred more than a little criticism early...

Approaching the final season of Star Trek: Discovery feels bittersweet. The adventures of this crew have been unique, primarily because of their time-jumping. The future of Star Fleet always had potential, and Discovery tapped into that well. No matter how you feel about Star Trek: Discovery, it’s been a show that wears its heart on its sleeve and opened the door to new viewers in the process. The final season kicked off at SXSW 2024, and the big screen premiere lived up to the venue.

Star Trek: Discovery Plot

After the events of Season 4, Captain Michael Burnham (Sonnequa Martin-Green) struggles to move on from Book (David Ajala). His betrayal landed him a rotation with Star Fleet, and he bounces around the galaxy, helping relocate those displaced by the Dma. When an 800-year-old Romulan ship suddenly appears, Kovich (David Cronenberg) joins Discovery to pick up its cargo. However, a pair of salvagers,...

When asked about the long journey to Star Trek: Discovery‘s fifth and final season, producer Alex Kurtzman is honest but optimistic. “It’s been an incredible ride for us,” Kurtzman tells Den of Geek when we chat with him at SXSW 2024. “And yeah, it was an incredibly bumpy first year.”

Kurtzman’s referring to the behind-the-scenes difficulties that plagued the show’s first two seasons. Initially developed by Bryan Fuller, who wrote for Deep Space Nine and Voyager before going on to make fan-favorite shows such as Hannibal and American Gods, Discovery ultimately premiered with Gretchen J. Berg and Aaron Harberts as showrunners. By the end of season two, both had left the show, with Kurtzman and Michelle Paradise stepping in as showrunners to right the ship.

But for some Star Trek fans, the problems with Discovery go beyond a troubled production. Initially presented as the adventures of Spock...

When asked to sum up Season 5 of “Star Trek: Discovery” in just one word, star Sonequa Martin-Green went with “Culminating.”

The Paramount+ series will conclude its run with the forthcoming season, premiering April 4. Although cast and crew didn’t know this would be the final season when they shot it, as Martin-Green tells IndieWire, they are feeling good about where they end things.

“I was moved, I was touched, I think I cried,” Martin-Green said about the moment she read the final script. “…So I just think that it’s special, I think it’s bold, I think it’s beautiful, I think it’s poetic.”

That doesn’t mean she was ready to spill about any specific details such as where her character, Michael Burnham, might end up — or with who. When asked if there would be a happily ever after for Burnham and David Ajala’s Book, she...

Star Trek: Discovery star David Ajala recently shared what fans can expect when the Paramount+ sci-fi series returns for its fifth and final season this April.

Ajala recently appeared on the Syfy Sistas podcast (via X) to discuss playing Cleveland "Book" Booker on Discovery. While the actor was careful not to spoil anything, he did reveal the following: "What's so amazing about this new season is the way it starts. There is no warm up... It's just straight in. There is so much adventure in this new season. There's so much fun. There's so much heart. There's so much love in it." He also shared that Discovery Season 5 will leave fans with "goosebumps."

Related Star Trek: Discovery Actor Kenneth Mitchell Dies at 49 Actor Kenneth Mitchell, known for his roles in Star Trek: Discovery and Captain Marvel, has passed away. Close

Ajala's comments track with what his co-star Elias Toufexis previously...

According to David Ajala, Star Trek: Discovery season 5 starts off with no warm up, diving straight into adventure and fun. Ajala describes the new season as full of heart, love, and excitement, giving viewers goosebumps. The final season premieres on Paramount+ on April 4, promising an amazing and thrilling experience for fans.

Star Trek: Discovery season 5 wastes no time launching into its "fun adventure," according to David Ajala, who plays Cleveland Booker. Discovery's fifth and final season premieres Thursday, April 4, on Paramount+ after the flagship Star Trek series celebrates its world premiere at SXSW festival in March. Ajala returns as Book, the paramour of Captain Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green), who goes on a hunt for an ancient and powerful galactic treasure.

The Syfy Sistas podcast posted a Twitter/X clip of guest David Ajala discussing the "amazing" way Star Trek: Discovery season 5 starts. Ajala gets "goosebumps" discussing how Discovery season...

The UK’s National Film and Television School has unveiled the winners of its 2024 graduate showcase.

Winners were announced at the school’s graduation ceremony at the Odeon Luxe in London Square today (February 23) after four days of screenings at the BFI Southbank.

The prize for most promising student went to Creative Business Ma graduate Cody Updegrave who received £1,000. ”Cody has poured his heart and soul into the life of the School, leaving an indelible mark as student representative and through supporting the expansive spectrum of VFX productions across the Nfts,” said Ian Haig, head of the Nfts creative business Ma.

Captain Burnham will lead the crew of the USS Discovery on one final mission in 2024, and a new clip finally showed just what the team is up against.

Star Sonequa Martin-Green introduced the series-ending clip alongside showrunner Michelle Paradise at Ccxp in São Paulo, Brazil, on Saturday. In the scene, Captain Burnham is joined by Cleveland “Book” Booker (David Ajala) as they face off against a shape-shifting being that also can cloak, making it a doubly formidable opponent.

“We have to get past it,” Burnham said. “See if you can communicate with it.” After Book communicated with the creature via his mind, Burnham asked, “Did you pick up anything?”

“Yeah,” Book told her. “It’s really pissed off.”

Per the season description, “The fifth and final season will find Captain Burnham and the crew of the U.S.S. Discovery uncovering a mystery that will send them on an epic...

Captain Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green) and Cleveland “Book” Booker (David Ajala) have to go to Plan B during a mission in Star Trek: Discovery Season 5, as shown in a new clip. The Paramount+ drama, for its upcoming final season, had a presence at the streamer’s panel at Ccxp in São Paulo, Brazil, with Martin-Green and showrunner and executive producer Michelle Paradise introducing the new preview. We also have a premiere month now — April 2024 — and a new cast photo, which you can check out below. It features Ajala, Mary Wiseman (Tilly), Doug Jones (Saru), Martin-Green, Wilson Cruz (Culber), Anthony Rapp (Stamets), Blu Del Barrio (Adira), and Callum Keith Rennie (Raynor). In the sneak peek, which you can watch up top, Michael and Book face off with a dangerous creature that unexpectedly has the ability to cloak. “We have to find a way past it,” she says. “See if you can communicate with it.

Star Trek and Doctor Who share many actors, with over thirty actors appearing in both franchises over the years. Popular actors such as David Ajala, Daphne Ashbrook, Steven Berkoff, and Orla Brady have made appearances in both Star Trek and Doctor Who. Other notable actors who have appeared in both franchises include Noel Clarke, John Franklyn-Robbins, Simon Pegg, Deep Roy, Mark Sheppard, and David Warner.

As two of the most popular science fiction franchises of all time, Star Trek and Doctor Who have quite a bit in common. Both franchises began with television shows in the 1960s and have gone on to span multiple spin-offs, movies, books, and audio adventures. They both have massive fanbases comprised of devoted fans who attend conventions, create art, and cosplay as their favorite characters.

Whether they are fighting Daleks or Klingons or Cybermen or Borg, many actors have made appearances in both science fiction franchises over the years.