Robert Picardo, known for his role in Star Trek, has shared that the upcoming Starfleet Academy series will feature a reference fans have been waiting three decades to see.
The actor is returning to play the Doctor, a character he first portrayed on Star Trek: Voyager thirty years ago. He felt it was important to include hidden references and nods to the original 1990s show for longtime fans to discover.
I had the same reaction I did when I first said the line ‘Medical Tricorder’ on Voyager – a sarcastic laugh. It reminded me of my very first scene on the show, where I was given the wrong equipment and essentially told I was a complete fool.
I asked if we could recreate that moment as a special treat for our dedicated fans – some have watched the original pilot episode dozens of times!
The latest spin-off takes place nearly 800 years after the events of Discovery and a long time after we last saw the Doctor – specifically, in the 32nd century.
The new series will feature him teaching at Starfleet Academy, offering guidance and sharing his passion for opera with the next generation of officers. We’ll follow these cadets as they train to save the world, navigating the usual challenges of school life – like pranks, competition, and first romances – along the way.
Ncuti Gatwa’s Doctor will show a completely different side of himself in the upcoming series, according to Ncuti Gatwa.
Later in the season, viewers will see a completely new, emotional side to the character. It was challenging to portray this, and a surprising event happens for my character towards the end of the episode. I’m really curious to see how fans who have followed the character for a long time will react.
“It’s hard to say what he’s been doing for the last 800 years!” Picardo added.
The different Star Trek shows are starting to feel really connected, and the pilot episode actually mentions my character teaching cadets on Star Trek: Prodigy. So, my character has experience as a teacher. He’s a natural at it, even if he’s a bit arrogant and loves to lecture!
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy is coming to Paramount+ on 15th January.
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Authors
Louise Griffin edits the Sci-Fi & Fantasy section at TopMob, writing about popular franchises like Doctor Who, Star Wars, Marvel, House of the Dragon, and Good Omens. Before TopMob, she was a Senior Entertainment Reporter at Metro and holds a degree in English Literature.
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2026-01-15 11:09