Star Trek’s Robert Picardo Clarified What ‘Version’ Of His Voyager Character Is Returning For Starfleet Academy, And It’s Exactly What I Suspected

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The next Star Trek series, set at Starfleet Academy, is scheduled to premiere in 2026. As the premiere nears, more details are being revealed. Recently, a new clip suggested the show won’t be a teen drama as some initially thought, and Robert Picardo has now shared information about which iteration of his Emergency Medical Hologram (EMH) from Voyager will appear.

A lot of fans have been curious about whether the Doctor from the new series is the original character from Voyager, or a copy created during the famous episode “Living Witness.” Fortunately, the actor recently answered this question on Threads, clarifying the mystery for everyone.

That reminds me of the original Emergency Medical Hologram from Voyager. It’s a great point, actually. I recall wondering about it even before I read the first draft of the script.

I had a feeling this might be the solution, more so than revisiting the Star Trek: Starfleet Academy idea. While many fans love the character of the Emergency Medical Hologram (EMH) from “Living Witness”, bringing him back as a discovery made 700 years later could raise complicated questions about his memories. It would be a fun nod to Voyager, definitely, but it would also create a lot of challenges for the writers to explain.

More On Star Trek: Starfleet Academy

I was initially concerned a recent Star Trek: Starfleet Academy poster hinted at a tonal shift for the show, but a new clip has eased my worries.

I’d prefer the Emergency Medical Hologram who remembers everything that happened on Voyager, plus his experiences from Star Trek: Prodigy Season 2. Although, if the EMH’s backup also had those memories, it makes you wonder why a reset would even be necessary.

It’s highly likely that holographic characters, like the Emergency Medical Hologram (EMH), will have greater independence in the 32nd century’s Discovery. The show demonstrated that crew members could use their communication badges to perform tasks previously requiring a transporter, suggesting that holographic beings are capable of much more in this era as well.

I’m guessing that actress Kerrice Brooks will be playing Sam, a holographic character who’s a student at Starfleet Academy. It’s interesting that they didn’t just create a holo-program with all the necessary knowledge from the start. I’m really looking forward to finding out the reasoning behind this choice, and how The Doctor has evolved over the past thousand years.

Paramount+ offers streaming access to shows like the new Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, premiering in January. You can choose between two monthly plans: the Essential plan at $7.99/month, or the ad-free Premium plan for $12.99/month. For the best value, consider an annual subscription at $59.99. See the deal here.

The new series Star Trek: Starfleet Academy will start streaming on Paramount+ on January 15th. As a big Star Trek fan, I’ve been eagerly awaiting new content, and I’m excited to finally start watching it when it’s released.

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2025-12-09 23:38