Why Starfleet Academy Is the Star Trek Show Fans Have Been Waiting For

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The upcoming series, “Star Trek: Starfleet Academy,” could be a pivotal moment for the franchise. Developed by Alex Kurtzman and Noga Landau, this new show takes us to the inaugural class of the esteemed academy, a century following “The Burn” which severely impacted the United Federation of Planets in a future timeline. The series is set in the waning years of the 32nd century, after the conclusion of “Star Trek: Discovery’s” fifth season.

For many years, there have been discussions about creating a Star Trek movie or TV show focusing on Starfleet Academy. After signing a deal with CBS Studios to manage the Star Trek TV franchise, Alex Kurtzman, one of the Star Trek executives, planned to produce a series centered around a younger audience and Starfleet Academy. In 2023, Paramount+ officially announced the production of this series, titled Star Trek: Starfleet Academy. At San Diego Comic-Con 2024, shortly after it was revealed that Academy Award-winner Holly Hunter would be leading the cast and Academy Award-nominee Paul Giamatti would play the season 1 antagonist.

2025 saw the completion of filming for season 1 of “Star Trek: Starfleet Academy,” with its premiere on Paramount+ slated for 2026, marking the 60th anniversary of the beloved franchise. Even as we eagerly await its debut, I’m thrilled that Paramount+ has already greenlit season 2 during the production of the first season, a testament to their faith in this new chapter of “Star Trek.” Although many details about the show are tightly under wraps, what we know so far suggests that “Starfleet Academy” is poised to be exactly what “Star Trek” needs to secure its enduring future.

5. Starfleet Academy Isn’t A Star Trek Prequel

Star Trek: Discovery’s 32nd Century Continues In Starfleet Academy

For the past 25 years, critics have often claimed that the Star Trek series has been plagued by what’s known as ‘prequel syndrome.’ After Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, and Star Trek: Voyager expanded the 24th century, Star Trek: Enterprise took the franchise back to its original 22nd-century roots, resulting in a 12-year absence of Star Trek TV shows. When J.J. Abrams rebooted the Star Trek movies in 2009, he also produced a prequel set within the timeframe of Star Trek: The Original Series’ 23rd century. Similarly, Star Trek: Discovery and Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, both debuting in their first seasons, are also prequels set in the 23rd century.

In a similar vein as seasons 3 to 5 of “Star Trek: Discovery,” “Star Trek: Starfleet Academy” is carrying on the franchise, possibly venturing into the 33rd century. The show introduces a fresh batch of young characters who symbolize the optimistic, diverse, and varied future of the Federation. This aligns with the broad, multi-generational audience that “Star Trek” attracts, encompassing individuals from all backgrounds. Consistently, “Starfleet Academy” upholds the hopeful and inclusive vision of the future as envisioned by “Star Trek” creator Gene Roddenberry.

4. Star Trek Needs To Gain New Young Fans

Starfleet Academy Can Attract A New Demographic

A common criticism leveled against the Star Trek series is that it caters more to an older demographic. Compared to franchises like Marvel and Star Wars, Star Trek may not be as appealing to younger audiences. The release of Star Trek: Prodigy was a commendable effort to introduce the values and grandeur of Star Trek to young viewers and potentially foster a new wave of fans. However, despite the exceptional quality of Star Trek: Prodigy, it unfortunately got labeled as a children’s show.

The series Star Trek: Starfleet Academy might be labeled as a show for young adults due to its youthful cast, but this is actually the very audience the show aims to attract. In fact, Star Trek could benefit from a fresh infusion of youth and lacks tales of character growth for teenagers and early twentysomethings, besides Wesley Crusher (Wil Wheaton) in Star Trek: The Next Generation, and Jake Sisko (Cirroc Lofton) and Nog (Aron Eisenberg) in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. It’s the younger generation, Gen Z, that Starfleet Academy is hoping to cultivate into Star Trek fans.

3. Star Trek: Starfleet Academy Has An Incredible Cast

Oscar Caliber Actors Lead A Crop Of Fresh Faces

The ensemble cast of ‘Star Trek: Starfleet Academy’ includes some impressive choices, signaling both general viewers and critics that this new installment of Star Trek is a cut above the rest. Notably, Academy Award winners Holly Hunter and Paul Giamatti are on board, while acclaimed actress Tatiana Maslany and unconventional pick Becky Lynch (Rebecca Quin), a WWE superstar, have also joined the cast. Furthermore, several veteran Star Trek actors lend their talents to maintain ties with the franchise’s storied past and established lore.

At the core of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy lies a vibrant ensemble of greenhorn Starfleet aspirants. Taking on the roles of these Starfleet Academy heroes are Bella Shepard, Kerrice Brooks, George Hawkins, Karim Diané, Zoe Steiner, and Sandro Rosta. The specifics about their characters, such as their identities and species, are being kept secret for now. However, the success or failure of Starfleet Academy will largely depend on how well these fresh faces connect with viewers and win their approval.

2. Starfleet Academy Is Pushing Star Trek’s Production Forward

Starfleet Academy’s Production Is Another Level

In the 32nd century setting of Star Trek: Discovery, a fresh opportunity was presented for Star Trek to establish new lore without being tied down by events from earlier Star Trek series. By extending this era even further with Starfleet Academy, we get to explore innovative technology, alien species, worlds, and situations. It’s essential that Star Trek continues to embrace the future and keep pushing boundaries by discovering what’s next. Starfleet Academy now being the furthest point in Star Trek’s timeline (apart from Star Trek: Short Treks’ “Calypso”) provides just this opportunity for exploration and forward-thinking ideas.

The production team behind “Star Trek: Starfleet Academy” is fully committed to elevating the series to new heights. The massive sets housed in the Star Trek Stage in Toronto, which is part of “Starfleet Academy”, are the largest ever constructed for the franchise, setting a grand stage for the show. The top-tier cast assembled for this series reflects the high standards it aims to meet. Compared to the production costs of “Star Wars” productions like “Andor”, “Star Trek’s” TV shows and movies have been relatively modest. However, “Starfleet Academy” promises to enhance the already impressive production values and visual style that have defined the franchise since J.J. Abrams’ “Star Trek” and “Star Trek: Discovery”.

1. Starfleet Academy Can Call Back To Star Trek’s Entire History

Star Trek’s Timeline Spans 1,000 Years In Starfleet Academy

One advantage of setting Star Trek: Starfleet Academy in the 32nd century is that it allows the series to leverage the entirety of the Star Trek universe. Since the timeline of Star Trek starts with Star Trek: Enterprise in the 22nd century, the span of the Star Trek timeline encompasses a millennium, featuring various alternate realities. Characters like The Doctor (Robert Picardo) from Star Trek: Voyager, Lt. Sylvia Tilly (Mary Wiseman), Commander Jett Reno (Tig Notaro), and Admiral Charles Vance (Oded Fehr) from Star Trek: Discovery are already present in Starfleet Academy. This means that the cadets will have direct connections to the franchise’s rich history.

In the realm of holograms, time travel, and other science fiction elements, virtually anything from Star Trek could manifest or be alluded to within the setting of Starfleet Academy. At the same time, the cadets grapple with a fresh danger for the Federation that revolves around Paul Giamatti’s enigmatic antagonist. The series, titled Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, aspires to offer and preserve a future for Star Trek and its devoted fans – both old and new. Over two seasons scheduled for release on Paramount+, this ambitious show aims to shape and secure the future of Star Trek and its fanbase.

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2025-06-01 20:08