The world of Star Trek is known for bringing back beloved characters, even after long absences. With Paramount continuing to expand the Star Trek universe, a new series focusing on Starfleet Academy recruits will debut next year, carrying on the legacy of iconic captains like Kirk, Picard, Sisko, and Janeway. While the show will feature many new faces, a significant character from Star Trek: Voyager is also returning and has recently discussed their plans for the comeback.
The new series Star Trek: Starfleet Academy is scheduled to premiere on Paramount+ on January 15, 2026. It will follow the journeys of new recruits hoping to explore space. Fans were surprised to see Robert Picardo in the first trailer, as he famously played the holographic Doctor on Star Trek: Voyager. Picardo has now confirmed he’ll be reprising his role as the same character in Starfleet Academy, though it’s unclear how his holographic character has aged over the years.
Picardo recently announced on social media that he’ll be reprising his role as the Emergency Medical Hologram from Voyager in the new Paramount+ series. He even admits he wondered how the character would return long before reading the script! While details are still under wraps, it’s unclear how or why the digital doctor has aged. However, the Star Trek franchise has successfully brought back technological characters before – notably, Brent Spiner returned as Data in Star Trek: Picard in various ways.
Starfleet Academy is Going to be Different
The new series, Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, is set in the 32nd century, hundreds of years after the events of previous Star Trek shows. Because the Doctor from Star Trek: Voyager exists as a digital entity, it’s possible he could still be around in this future timeline. However, his exact role in the new series remains a mystery.
Jonathan Frakes, best known as Commander Riker from Star Trek, recently shared his positive impressions of the new series. Having read the scripts, he noted the show’s humor, something he always looks for in Star Trek productions. He explained that the comedy helps with the pacing and overall storytelling, specifically mentioning the show Academy.
Excited about the Doctor’s return in Starfleet Academy? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!
Via Robert Picardo Official Social Media
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2025-12-09 17:10