Cirroc Lofton’s Long-Awaited Return As Jake Sisko In Star Trek: Starfleet Academy

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Be warned, this article contains spoilers for Season 1, Episode 5 of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, titled “Series Acclimation Mil.” Cirroc Lofton reprised his role as Jake Sisko in Star Trek: Starfleet Academy for the first time in over two decades, something that wasn’t possible when an adult Jake Sisko was previously shown in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. The episode, written by Kirsten Beyer and Tawny Newsome and directed by Larry Teng, served as a heartfelt homage to Avery Brooks’ portrayal of Captain Benjamin Sisko.

In the fifth episode of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, Jake Sisko had a key part to play. He spoke to Series Acclimation Mil (Kerrice Brooks) about his father, Captain Sisko, both as a person and as the revered Emissary of the Bajoran Prophets. Speaking on behalf of his father, Jake reassured SAM that she was capable and worthy of fulfilling her own destiny as the Emissary to the Kasqians.

Fans of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine had hoped to see Cirroc Lofton return as Jake Sisko, and so did Lofton himself. He delivered a fantastic performance as the character, now 53 years old and set in the year 2408. After a 27-year wait since Deep Space Nine ended, seeing Cirroc reprise the role was incredibly satisfying. This moment wouldn’t have been possible when an adult Jake Sisko was first introduced on DS9 31 years ago.

Tony Todd Played Older Jake Sisko In Star Trek: Deep Space Nine’s “The Visitor”

Tony Todd played the older version of Jake Sisko in the memorable Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode, “The Visitor.” After his father, Captain Sisko, is presumed dead, Jake learns he’s actually stuck in a strange dimension called subspace. This discovery changes Jake’s life completely, as he dedicates the next fifty years to finding a way to save his father, finally achieving success but at the cost of his own life.

When “The Visitor” episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine was filmed in 1995, Cirroc Lofton was only 17 years old. It would have been impossible to make him look convincingly like an adult, let alone an elderly man in his 70s, even with makeup and special effects. Fortunately, Tony Todd, known for his role as Kurn, brother of Worf, brilliantly portrayed the adult Jake Sisko in scenes with Avery Brooks’ Captain Sisko.

It’s interesting to consider how much stronger “The Visitor” could have been if Cirroc Lofton had played the adult version of Jake. His real-life close relationship with Avery Brooks, who played his father on screen, was a key element in the success of the fifth episode of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy.

Cirroc Lofton’s appearance as the grown-up Jake Sisko in episode 5 of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy beautifully shows how much he’s grown. He embodies the wisdom and kindness of his father, Captain Sisko, in a way that feels incredibly genuine. This performance subtly provides an answer to a long-held fan question: what if Cirroc had played the adult Jake in the original Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode, “The Visitor”? It’s a satisfying resolution to a debate that’s been going on since 1995.

Star Trek: Starfleet Academy Was The Right Project For Cirroc Lofton’s Jake Sisko Comeback

After 27 years, seeing Cirroc Lofton return as Jake Sisko was a truly special moment, and Star Trek: Starfleet Academy provided the perfect opportunity. The episode benefited from Tawny Newsome, a huge Star Trek: Deep Space Nine fan, who not only co-wrote it but also worked as a co-producer to ensure the tribute to DS9 was handled with care and respect, creating the ideal conditions for Cirroc’s return.

Whenever characters from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine – like Nana Visitor’s Kira Nerys, Armin Shimerman’s Quark, and Alexander Siddig’s alternate Dr. Julian Bashir – appeared in Star Trek: Lower Decks, fans of DS9 were thrilled. But those loyal fans often wondered when Cirroc Lofton would reprise his role as Jake Sisko. Lofton himself was asked this question frequently at Star Trek conventions and on his podcast, The 7th Rule.

As a lifelong Star Trek fan, I always thought it would be amazing to hear Cirroc Lofton reprise his role as Jake Sisko in something like Lower Decks or Prodigy – the fanbase would have gone wild! But honestly, his return in Starfleet Academy feels even more meaningful. Not just because the episode was a beautiful tribute to Captain Sisko, but because Cirroc is the very first actor from the original Deep Space Nine cast to come back in a live-action role. It’s a really special moment for us fans.

With his appearance in Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, Cirroc Lofton officially adds his portrayal of adult Jake Sisko to the established Star Trek storyline. This long-awaited return to the role—something fans have hoped for over the last 27 years—gives viewers a sense of what it would have been like if Lofton had played the adult Jake in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine‘s ‘The Visitor’ episode.

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2026-02-09 13:59