Good news for fans: Star Trek: Starfleet Academy will definitely feel like a Star Trek show. Produced by Alex Kurtzman and Noga Landau, the series premieres with two episodes on January 15, 2026, exclusively on Paramount+.
The promotional poster for Star Trek: Starfleet Academy caused a lot of discussion, and it’s unclear if Paramount+ anticipated the reaction. The poster showed six young cadets relaxing together in a grassy field, and it clearly took inspiration from popular teen dramas of the past, like Beverly Hills, 90210.
As a huge Star Trek fan, I thought the new poster for Star Trek: Starfleet Academy was a really smart move. It was so different and eye-catching, especially compared to the first teaser poster with the cadets on the logo. It definitely got people talking about the new series, which was exactly what they were hoping for! It also feels like they’re trying to reach a new, younger audience, and I think it’s working. Mission accomplished, in my opinion!
The initial artwork for Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, which showed young cadets, worried some fans who were already hesitant about a Star Trek show focused on teenagers. The concern stemmed from the characters being young and good-looking, even though attractiveness has always been present throughout the various Star Trek series.
Starfleet Academy Is Still Star Trek
During CCXP, Paul Giamatti, an Academy Award nominee, showed a four-minute preview of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy. The clip featured classic Star Trek action taking place on the USS Athena and, based on what was shown, the new series appears to be in good hands.
| Star Trek: Starfleet Academy Cadet | Played By |
|---|---|
| Caleb Mir | Sandro Rosta |
| Genesis Lythe | Bella Shepard |
| Jay-Den Kraag | Karim Diane |
| SAM (Series Acclimation Mil) | Kerrice Brooks |
| Darem Reymi | George Hawkins |
| Tarima Sadal | Zoe Steiner |
As a fan, I was really pleased with how visually stunning Star Trek: Starfleet Academy is – it’s right up there with Discovery in terms of production quality. I know some people weren’t thrilled with Discovery’s style, so I was a little worried. But the show quickly eased those concerns by delivering the kind of exciting starship action we expect from Star Trek. Seeing Nus Braka attack the USS Athena really showed us this wasn’t going to be just a show about cadets – it was still Star Trek at its core.
I’m really excited about Star Trek: Starfleet Academy! It seems like it’s going to do a great job of showing what it’s like to be a young cadet learning the ropes, while still delivering the space adventures we all love. It’s definitely geared towards a younger audience, but I’m so glad they’ve brought in some familiar, strong characters like Captain Ake, played by Holly Hunter, and Robert Picardo as The Doctor, along with Tig Notaro as Commander Reno. It’s cool to see those experienced ‘adults in the room’ guiding the new generation.
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy brings the iconic campus and San Francisco location to life. It’s filled with familiar elements from the Star Trek universe, including Klingons, Betazoids, and starships, and pays tribute to classic characters. The adventures will unfold both on Earth and in space, primarily aboard the USS Athena.
The success of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy hinges on showcasing Gene Roddenberry’s hopeful message of unity, acceptance, and collaboration – a vision for a brighter future – through the experiences of its six young cadet characters as they navigate their paths in the vastness of space.
Why Star Trek Needs Starfleet Academy
The new series, Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, represents both a fresh approach and a long-held dream for the Star Trek franchise, which has been around for 60 years. The idea of a show set at Starfleet Academy has been discussed for decades, and even formed the basis of an early concept for a film about a young James T. Kirk – a story that was later reimagined by J.J. Abrams in the 2009 Star Trek movie.
For years, fans have hoped for a Star Trek series showing the journey of becoming a Starfleet officer. Star Trek: Starfleet Academy delivers on that wish, and its setting in the 32nd century—after the events of Star Trek: Discovery—allows the show to explore current issues facing young people through the lens of Star Trek, while also setting up exciting possibilities for the franchise’s future.
A show aimed at younger viewers, like Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, is important for the future of Star Trek. While Star Trek has been passed down through families for generations, its main audience is getting older, so attracting new, younger fans is key.
Unlike Star Wars, Star Trek hasn’t captured the imaginations of kids to the same extent. Even with recent popular movies and shows on Paramount+, the franchise, created by Gene Roddenberry over 60 years ago, is still often seen as appealing to a smaller, more dedicated audience.
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy is a new attempt to appeal to younger viewers – teenagers and young adults – and turn them into Star Trek fans. Whether this strategy will work is still uncertain, but the success of Starfleet Academy would be a positive step for the future of Star Trek.
If Star Trek: Starfleet Academy fails, it probably won’t be due to it not feeling like Star Trek.
Watch Star Trek: Starfleet Academy‘s first look clip below:
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2025-12-13 18:20