First Look at Starfleet Academy: Klingons, Cadets, and the Return of The Doctor
First Look at Starfleet Academy – 12 New Images Tease the Future of Trek
Paramount just dropped a surprise ahead of tomorrow’s Star Trek Universe panel at San Diego Comic-Con: a first-look photo set from Starfleet Academy Season 1, and folks, it’s looking goooood.
The twelve images give us our first proper glimpse into the newest corner of the Trek franchise, and the vibes are equal parts fresh-faced cadets and legacy character goodness. Let's break it down.
First up, Karim Diané stuns as a Klingon cadet. Yep, full forehead ridges and all, bringing some serious presence to what looks like a stacked incoming class. We also get our first official look at Tatiana Maslany in her still-very-much-mystery role, and while we don’t know who she is yet, it’s Tatiana Maslany, so we’re watching closely.
Then there’s Holly Hunter, looking incredibly commanding in the captain’s chair of what might be a training bridge, officially confirmed as the Chancellor of Starfleet Academy. The energy? Unbothered. In charge. Iconic.
Comedian and actress Gina Yashere makes a striking entrance as what appears to be a Jem’Hadar Admiral and maybe instructor? A wild and unexpected addition that has major implications for canon and character dynamics.
And speaking of deep cuts, one photo shows two cadets standing by a wall lined with etched names, among them, Commander Beckett Mariner, Captain John Harriman, Captain Cristóbal Rios, and many more. A quiet but powerful tribute to the past that anchors this series firmly in the Trek timeline. We're also wondering what the wall represents? Top of their class cadets at the Academy?
But it doesn’t stop there.
Paul Giamatti, folks. He looks mean. Not “villain of the week” mean—core season antagonist mean. There’s prosthetics, there’s menace, and there’s clearly going to be trouble.
Legacy characters also make their triumphant returns. Yes, plural. Tig Notaro is back as Jet Reno (say no more, we’re in), and yes, that is Robert Picardo reprising his role as The Doctor. Cue the emotional transporter beam noise. And as if that wasn’t enough: Oded Fehr is back as Admiral Vance, still holding it down in Starfleet Command and looking even more seasoned than he did in Discovery.
We’ll obviously be getting more information during the big Star Trek Universe panel tomorrow, but for now, feast your eyes on the 12 new images and start the speculation engines.
Because Starfleet Academy isn’t just a show about the future, it’s shaping up to be a celebration of Trek’s past, present, and future. Make sure to keep it locked in here tomorrow for our coverage of Hall H!
Starfleet Academy First Look Images:
Karim Diané in season 1, episode 4 of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy streaming on Paramount+. Photo Credit: Brooke Palmer/Paramount+
Bella Shepard in season 1, episode 1 of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy streaming on Paramount+. Photo Credit: Brooke Palmer/Paramount+
George Hawkins, Bella Shepard and Kerrice Brooks in season 1, episode 5 of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy streaming on Paramount+. Photo Credit: Brooke Palmer/Paramount+
Holly Hunter in season 1, episode 1 of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy streaming on Paramount+. Photo Credit: Brooke Palmer/Paramount+
Paul Giamatti in season 1 of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy streaming on Paramount+. Photo Credit: Miller Mobley/Paramount+
Tatiana Maslany and Luciano Fernandez in season 1, episode 1 of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy streaming on Paramount+. Photo Credit: Brooke Palmer/Paramount+
Tig Notaro in season 1 of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy streaming on Paramount+. Photo Credit: Miller Mobley/Paramount+
Gina Yashere in season 1, episode 2 of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy streaming on Paramount+. Photo Credit: Brooke Palmer/Paramount+
Robert Picardo in season 1 of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy streaming on Paramount+. Photo Credit: Miller Mobley/Paramount+
Romeo Carere, Anthony Natale and Oded Fehr in season 1, episode 2 of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy streaming on Paramount+. Photo Credit: Brooke Palmer/Paramount+
Sandro Rosta and Zoë Steiner in season 1, episode 2 of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy streaming on Paramount+. Photo Credit: Brooke Palmer/Paramount+
Sandro Rosta in season 1, episode 3 of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy streaming on Paramount+. Photo Credit: Brooke Palmer/Paramount+
Julian Brown
Creator & Co-Host
Julian is the creator and co-host of Strange New Pod. His first experience with Star Trek was TNG and The Undiscovered Country. On his off days, he likes long walks on the beaches of Risa. Strives for the rest of his team to read the outline.
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