Exploring Humanity Through Sci-Fi Orville's Peter Macon
In this episode of Exploring Humanity Through Sci‑Fi, Tony chats with the incomparable Peter Macon — an actor whose commanding presence and emotional intelligence have made him one of the most compelling performers working in genre today.
Macon is widely known for his role as Lt. Commander Bortus on The Orville, where he brings humor, gravitas, and cultural nuance to one of the series’ most beloved characters. More recently, he portrayed Raka, the wise and empathetic orangutan in Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, adding another layer to his legacy of playing characters who challenge audiences to rethink what it means to be “other.”
This conversation was recorded during a special event at the Museum of Science Fiction, where Macon joined Tony for a candid, thoughtful discussion about race, representation, and the power of science fiction to hold a mirror to society.