Star Trek: Discovery star Doug Jones has spoken about the "mixed" reaction from viewers to the show's darker material.

Some fans have taken issue with the more adult themes of the sci-fi franchise's most recent incarnation, as well as the controversial decision to include swearing.

Talking to Digital Spy, Jones – who stars as Lt Saru on Discovery – opened up about entertaining fans.

"Well, this is 2017 now. Even though our show takes place 10 years before the original series, you have a 2017 audience to entertain," he said.

Netflix CBS

"Television is very sophisticated now, and it's very movie-like. It's of a movie quality. We have a more cinematic show than the other Star Trek series before us, because we have to compete. And we have a huge budget – thank heavens for CBS!"

He continued: "The reaction has been mixed with the darker material, sometimes, or the swear words, or whatever.

"But not being on broadcast television and being on a streaming service instead, they have the licence and the freedom to do that. So they're trying it all out, and I don't blame them for that."

Fox Searchlight Pictures

Jones stars as Amphibian Man/The Asset in Guillermo del Toro's The Shape of Water, which leads the way at this year's Academy Awards, scoring 13 nods including Best Picture and Best Director.

Del Toro is already the frontrunner to take the latter gong, having scored the Best Feature gong at the Directors Guild of America Awards.

Winners of the 90th Academy Awards will be announced on March 4.

The Shape of Water is in cinemas now.

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