Neal McDonough’s Surprising Star Trek Role Before His Villain Era

Neal McDonough has built a reputation for playing blokes who command a room with just a look—think Malcolm Beck in Yellowstone or Cal Thresher in Tulsa King. He’s the sort of actor who brings a chill to every scene, making punters sit up and take notice before he’s even said a word. But before he was locking horns with Sylvester Stallone or running the show in Taylor Sheridan’s worlds, McDonough donned a very different uniform in a sci-fi classic.

From Starfleet to Hollywood’s Toughest Characters

Back in 1996, McDonough appeared in Star Trek: First Contact as Lieutenant Hawk. He wasn’t the captain, the villain, or the brains behind the operation—just a dedicated officer doing his bit. True to Star Trek form, his time on screen was short but memorable, and his character copped it in the end. Later novels even revealed Hawk was gay, though the film itself never touched on it. For McDonough, it was an unexpected start that set the tone for his future roles.

These days, McDonough is known for playing the sort of villains you can’t help but watch. His turn as Cal Thresher in Tulsa King fits right in with his knack for portraying powerful, intimidating types. Thresher’s a ruthless businessman, and his run-ins with Stallone’s Dwight Manfredi are more like slow-burning threats than outright brawls. But McDonough’s journey into darker roles didn’t begin there. On Desperate Housewives, he played Dave Williams—a bloke who seemed like your average neighbour until things took a turn for the worse.

Mastering the Art of the Villain

McDonough’s characters often walk the line between charm and menace. As Dave Williams, he started off as a friendly face, but grief and trauma sent him down a much darker path. As he put it:

Dave is this really sweet guy next door, and then something tragic happens to him, and his personality splits in half. You like Dave and you feel for him, but he also creeps the hell out of you.

He kept up the intensity in Justified as Robert Quarles, switching from likeable to terrifying in a heartbeat. Then came Malcolm Beck in Yellowstone—a wealthy, cruel figure whose actions left a mark long after he was gone. Even after Beck’s final scene, the fallout from his choices lingered, shaking up the show’s power dynamics. McDonough’s approach is all-in, never cutting corners or softening the edges. His stint as Damien Darhk in the Arrowverse showed he could balance nastiness with a laid-back confidence, proving that evil doesn’t always have to shout to be effective.

Learning the Ropes on Star Trek

Ironically, McDonough’s skill at playing villains can be traced back to his early days on Star Trek: First Contact. Working alongside legends like Patrick Stewart and Jonathan Frakes, he picked up plenty of lessons. Reflecting on that time, he shared:

Patrick Stewart became such a paternal figure to me because he knew it was my first big movie. Jonathan Frakes, who also directed, took it upon himself to bust my nuggets every single day on set. They said, ‘Look, we only have you for a short amount of time. You’re about to die, you’re the red shirt guy. So we’re going to make fun of you all day long.’

It’s hard not to admire how far he’s come since then, moving from a supporting role in a sci-fi film to some of the most memorable antagonists on telly.

What’s Next for Cal Thresher in Tulsa King?

As for whether Cal Thresher will be back in Tulsa King, the show’s left things wide open. The third season wrapped up with Dwight Manfredi going head-to-head with Jeremiah Dunmire, leading to a brutal showdown and plenty of unfinished business. Thresher, once an enemy, ended up as an uneasy ally and even won the Oklahoma governor’s race, setting him up as a major political player.

The real question is what Thresher’s new position means for his relationship with Dwight. With the next season already in the works and new characters joining the fray, there’s plenty of room for more twists. Plus, with a spinoff on the horizon, fans have heaps to look forward to. Whether you’re keen on Star Trek, Yellowstone, or Tulsa King, McDonough’s journey from Starfleet officer to TV’s go-to villain is one worth following.