Star Trek: Discovery and The Woman in Cabin 10 actor David Ajala begins his tour of duty as the new detective on NBC's Law & Order Thursday.

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"It's wild, truly. I'm very aware it's a very iconic franchise and to be shooting this show, which takes place in New York City, in New York City, is very special. This city feels like a character in itself," Ajala, 39, told UPI in a Zoom interview Tuesday.

"There's just an energy in the city and we as much as possible try and lean into that energy when we're telling these stories and it's been wonderful," he said. "There's a formula in the show that works and, also, having new life, new blood, new energy in the franchise feels very right. It's something that should be constantly evolving and growing and reflecting the society that we live in."

Ajala plays New York Police Detective Theo Walker, a former narcotics investigator who partners up with Reid Scott's homicide cop, Vincent Riley.

"I'm shooting my fourth episode, so I'm still kind of figuring him out, respectfully. But what I can say is he is an individual who is deeply invested in getting justice," Ajala said.

"He is an individual who's very comfortable in his skin and he is an individual that has the confidence to walk into any room, knowing that he has something he can offer."

There is a healthy respect between Theo and Vincent and their boss, Lt. Jessica Brady (Maura Tierney), but they are all still getting to know each other, according to the actor.

"They, too, are trying to negotiate with how Theo works, because I don't think he's a, 'Yes, ma'am. Jump? How high?' kind of guy. I don't think that's him, but, at the same time, he's not rebellious or disrespectful," Ajala said.

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"I just felt that he sees things differently and the reason why he is successful at what he does is because he is very well prepared, thorough and meticulous and he's also good at being able to switch it up. He's a guy that's come from narcotics who's had to go undercover many times. So, when it comes to switch-coding or whatnot, he can do that. He is very experienced at it."

Coincidentally, Ajala's former Discovery co-star Sonequa Martin-Green is also playing a cop this season. She is headlining Boston Blue on CBS with Donnie Wahlberg.

Asked if he has spoken with Martin-Green about their similar roles, Ajala said: "No, but this has reminded me that I've got to reach out to her.

"And you know what's so funny? Somebody from the fandom of Star Trek wrote, 'I would love to see Burnham and Book together in a new spin-off show like The Adventures of Burnham and Book and they go around solving crimes together in space,'" he said.

"And it's crazy because here we are both playing detectives on different shows," he added. "You can't make this stuff up."