Star Trek fans are getting excited! The new series, Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, will premiere with two episodes on January 15, 2026. There’s been a lot of speculation about what this latest addition to the Star Trek universe will be like.
Good news for fans of Star Trek! Jonathan Frakes, a beloved figure from the series, recently shared exciting details about the upcoming Star Trek: Starfleet Academy. In an interview with TrekMovie.com on the All Access Star Trek podcast, Frakes discussed the show’s planned tone, cast, and story, and his comments suggest it could be a bold new direction for the Star Trek universe.
The movie Academy is surprisingly funny. I even got to meet Paul Giamatti, who plays the villain – he’s a fantastic actor, and I think everyone loves him. I asked him how filming was going, and he said he was having a blast – then he jokingly hinted that he might be enjoying himself too much.
Starfleet Academy Brings Back a Classic Trek Ingredient
Jonathan Frakes, the director of the second-to-last episode of the new Starfleet Academy series, told TrekMovie.com that the show, while featuring a young cast and a new setting, will still have the humor fans expect from Star Trek. Although Paul Giamatti’s character isn’t in the episode Frakes directed, he’s seen enough of Giamatti’s work to believe viewers will be impressed.
Though Strange New Worlds, particularly its latest season, has successfully mixed genres and sometimes leaned heavily into comedy, Jonathan Frakes shared on a podcast that the upcoming season of Lower Decks will maintain a more consistent tone, even with plenty of humor.
Jonathan Frakes told TrekMovie.com that he always looks for humor in scripts, particularly in Star Trek, because there’s often a lot of it. He added that finding this levity is important for the pacing of editing and how the story unfolds, and that it’s definitely present in Star Trek: Lower Decks.
Comedy will likely remain a key part of the show, thanks to a writing team that includes funny people like Tawny Newsome, known for her work on Lower Decks. The cast also includes returning comedic favorites – Tig Notaro will reprise her role as Jett Reno (Star Trek: Discovery), Stephen Colbert (The Late Show) will voice the Academy’s digital dean, and Robert Picardo (Voyager) will bring back his humorous portrayal of the EMH Doctor. It seems the series is striving for a fun, character-driven, and approachable feel, while still delivering the emotional impact and thoughtful science fiction that fans enjoy.
If you’ve been a Star Trek fan for a while and have been hoping for a return to the balance of engaging stories, appealing characters, and witty humor seen in shows like The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, and Voyager, recent news from Jonathan Frakes is encouraging.
Why Old-School Fans Should Be Encouraged
Jonathan Frakes has been involved with Star Trek as an actor and director for over 35 years, making him a true expert on the franchise. Given the positive early reactions, fans are excited about the new series and hoping it maintains the familiar feel that has defined Star Trek for so long.
Jonathan Frakes highlighted Holly Hunter, the Academy Award-winning actress playing Captain Nahla Ake, the 422-year-old, half-Lanthonite chancellor of Starfleet Academy, as particularly impressive during filming. He described her as thoroughly prepared, naturally gifted, intelligent, and quick-witted, praising her performance in a way that should excite even hesitant fans.
For a long time, some Star Trek fans have felt that newer shows sometimes lean too heavily into either very serious, dark stories or overly comedic ones. While Star Trek has always tackled important issues and been funny, it’s the special combination of sincerity, heart, humor, and strong moral principles that has made the series so successful and long-lasting.
Jonathan Frakes’ remarks indicate that Starfleet Academy has successfully captured the right feel for the series. What’s especially promising is that this isn’t just talk – Frakes, a long-time fan favorite, genuinely believes the tone is on track. If he’s correct, this new series could finally deliver the complex and thoughtful storytelling that fans have been hoping for.
What do you think? Leave a comment below and join the conversation now in the ComicBook Forum!
Okay, so I just heard some awesome news for us Trekkies! Star Trek: Starfleet Academy is hitting Paramount+ in 2026, and get this – they’re already filming season two up in Toronto! I’m so excited to see what they’re cooking up at the Academy.
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2025-11-24 01:11