Summary
TheStar Trekuniverse continues to expand, and even as one show ends, another is in production or ready to begin.Star Trek: Discoveryis the most recent show to come to a close after five seasons, and one of the upcoming projects that’s getting some attention isStarfleet Academy, a long-awaited show that’s scheduled for release in 2026.
Starfleet Academyhas some connections with otherStar Trekshows, and every property in the IP follows a few common threads and shares the lore, but there’s a lot in this endeavor that’s intended to be new. Most of the actors, for example, are new to the franchise and their stories will reflect the unique time frame. Here are a few more interesting facts we know about the show so far.
1The Distant Future
32nd Century Earth
Starfleet Academy takes place in the distant future, partly because time travel has become part of the main plot of theStar Trekuniverse, but the exactdetails of this turbulent periodare still being created. Rumors have circulated about a show based on Academy life, especially after the popular video game of the same name from 1997, and the college-age scenes inStar Trek 2009that resonated so well with audiences.
Not only will the show explore the usual trials and challenges that come with being accepted into and attending the famous officer’s training ground, but life in theStar Trekuniverse presents other serious issues. The plot includes a shadowy new foe that threatens life in the galaxy, and the new cadets have to be prepared for it.
2The References To Other Shows
But It’s Not Quite A Spin-Off
According to the latestStar Treklore, the Academy was closed for some time until it was reponed by Captain Michael Burnham in Season 4 ofDiscovery, paving the way forStar Trek: Starfleet Academy. Two other familiar characters will be helping students and cadets as they navigate their way through Academy life; Sylvia Tilly ofDiscoveryand The Doctor fromVoyager.
Tilly is one of the instructors at the Academy and will be appearing as a guest instead of a regular member of the cast or a recurring character. Robert Picardo will be reprising his role as the holographic emergency medical program from the USS Voyager, but whether he’ll be an instructor, mentor, or another role is yet unknown.
3Shares A Studio With Sister Shows
Pinewood Canada Also Hosted Discovery And Section 31
The original Pinewood Studios is based in England, and subversive action movies and television shows have always been part of their wheelhouse. Famous examples include the James Bond movies, and the Canadian branch of the studio is expected to be the main filming location ofStarfleet Academy.
Work on the first ten episodes of the series is currently ongoing and is expected to be completed next year, making its production concurrent withanother new show,Section 31. This is the same location whereDiscoverywas also filmed, and fans can find it in Toronto under the Pinewood Studios Group.
4The Soundstage Record
The Biggest In Canada Ever
It seems that practical effects are coming back to some extent, and the set designs ofStarfleet Academyreflect some ambitious real-world models and sets. The main atrium of the Academy is one example.
Instead of a CGI-generated image or a painting on a sound stage, production designer Matthew Davies has created the biggest set ever created for aStar Trekshow. It’s also the biggest soundstage ever built in Canada, at two stories high and 45,900 square feet. Features include a mess hall, several classrooms, an amphitheater, a few catwalks and stairways, and a scenic view that includes the Golden Gate Bridge.
5San Diego Comic-Con Annoucement
PR That Was Also About Casting
San Diego Comic-Con isone of the biggest annual eventsin the video game, movie, TTRPG, comic book, and television industries, and it takes place regularly in July in one of Southern California’s busiest and most popular cities. This year included an important announcement aboutStarfleet Academythat also confirmed the progression of the actual production along with predicting the show’s eventual release.
The Star Trek Universe discussion panel used their time at the con to announce the return of several legacy characters, and the names included more than Mary Wiseman as Tilly and Robert Picardo. Other names fromDiscoverythat will be appearing inStarfleet Academyinclude Tig Notaro, who will be returning as Jett Reno, and Oded Fehr will be reprising his role as Fleet Admiral Charles Vance.
6Other Future Shows
A Super Secret Future Project
The concept of Section 31 has been around for some time in modern Trek, but Starfleet’s covert spy network has never had its own show. The popularity of Philippa Georgiou, the original captain of the USS Discovery, prompted a spinoff based on her Mirror-universe counterpart coming to our universeand joiningSection 31.
Details about production and casting have been more secretive than other projects, which hilariously reflects the nature of the series itself, but rumors say this show is even closer to completion. The release dates forSection 31are just as vague but expectations state 2025.
