Neal McDonough’s Surprising Star Trek Role Before Yellowstone and Tulsa King
Before Neal McDonough became TV’s go-to villain in Yellowstone and Tulsa King, he took on a role in Star Trek: First Contact that few fans remember. Discover how this early performance shaped his career and set the stage for his unforgettable screen presence.
Neal McDonough has built a reputation for commanding the screen with a chilling sense of authority and quiet menace. Whether he’s intimidating as Malcolm Beck in Yellowstone or going toe-to-toe with Sylvester Stallone’s Dwight Manfredi in Tulsa King, McDonough’s characters always seem to control the room before they even say a word. But his journey to becoming one of television’s most memorable antagonists started in a place few would expect: the Star Trek universe.
From Starfleet Officer to Hollywood ’s Favorite Villain
Long before Taylor Sheridan cast him in Yellowstone or Marvel fans met his Dum Dum Dugan, McDonough donned a Starfleet uniform in Star Trek: First Contact (1996). As Lieutenant Hawk, he wasn’t the hero, the villain, or the mastermind—just a dedicated officer doing his duty. In true Trek fashion, his fate was sealed by the dangers of the mission, leaving a lasting impression despite limited screen time. Later novels would reveal Hawk as a gay character, a detail the film never explored, but one that added depth to McDonough’s early work.
That role was a far cry from the powerful, intimidating figures he would later embody. Yet, it laid the groundwork for a career defined by complex, often dark characters. McDonough’s ability to bring nuance to even the most menacing roles has made him a standout in every project he joins.
Mastering the Art of the Villain
Some actors are born to play heroes, but McDonough has always thrived in the shadows. His portrayal of Cal Thresher in Tulsa King is just the latest in a long line of roles where he balances charm with danger. Thresher, a ruthless and territorial businessman, clashes with Stallone’s Manfredi in scenes that feel more like high-stakes chess matches than simple confrontations.
McDonough’s turn as Dave Williams on Desperate Housewives marked his first deep dive into villainy. Arriving as a seemingly ordinary neighbor, Dave’s unraveling into a deeply troubled figure was both unsettling and believable. As McDonough once explained,
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 continued to explore the darker side of human nature in Justified as Robert Quarles and in Yellowstone as Malcolm Beck, a character whose cruelty left scars long after his exit. Even his stint as Damien Darhk in the Arrowverse showcased his knack for making evil feel disturbingly effortless.
Lessons Learned on the Star Trek Set
Ironically, McDonough’s mastery of villainy can be traced back to his time on the set of Star Trek: First Contact. Working alongside legends like Patrick Stewart and Jonathan Frakes, he learned the ropes of big-budget filmmaking. Reflecting on that experience, 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.’
That early exposure to high-pressure sets and iconic co-stars helped shape the actor he would become, pushing him to take risks and fully commit to every role, no matter how brief.
The Future of Cal Thresher in Tulsa King
As for McDonough’s future in Tulsa King, the door remains wide open. The third season ended with major upheaval, as Dwight Manfredi’s war with Jeremiah Dunmire led to brutal consequences and shifting alliances. Thresher, once an adversary, emerged as a political powerhouse after winning the Oklahoma governor’s race, setting the stage for even more intrigue.
With the show renewed and new characters on the horizon, including Gretchen Mol as Amanda Clark, the political landscape is set to get even more complicated. Terence Winter’s return as executive producer and head writer promises fresh twists, and fans are already speculating about what’s next for Thresher. Meanwhile, a spinoff starring Samuel L. Jackson is in the works, ensuring that the world McDonough helped shape will continue to expand.
Star Trek: First Contact is available to rent on Apple TV. Yellowstone and Tulsa King are streaming on Paramount+.