After years of rumors and hints, the next Star Trek television series is officially on the way — and it’s at last set at the educational centerpoint of Federation life: Starfleet Academy.
Announced today by Paramount+, Star Trek: Starfleet Academy will become the fourth live-action (and sixth overall) Star Trek series produced for the streamer by Alex Kurtzman’s Secret Hideout production company, and is planned to go before cameras next year.
The official release:
PARAMOUNT+ ANNOUNCES SERIES ORDER
FOR “STAR TREK: STARFLEET ACADEMY”The All-New Original Series from CBS Studios
Will Follow the Adventures of a New Class of Starfleet Cadets
March 30, 2023 – Paramount+ today announced the series order for the all-new original series STAR TREK: STARFLEET ACADEMY. The series will follow the adventures of a new class of Starfleet cadets as they come of age in one of the most legendary places in the galaxy. Produced by CBS Studios, the series will begin production in 2024.
STAR TREK: STARFLEET ACADEMY will introduce us to a young group of cadets who come together to pursue a common dream of hope and optimism. Under the watchful and demanding eyes of their instructors, they will discover what it takes to become Starfleet officers as they navigate blossoming friendships, explosive rivalries, first loves and a new enemy that threatens both the Academy and the Federation itself.
In celebration of this news, a joint announcement has been made by co-showrunners and executive producers Alex Kurtzman and Noga Landau:
Alex Kurtzman and Noga Landau will serve as co-showrunners and will executive produce the series alongside executive producers Gaia Violo, Aaron Baiers, Jenny Lumet, Rod Roddenberry, Trevor Roth, Frank Siracusa and John Weber. The series premiere episode is written by Gaia Violo. STAR TREK: STARFLEET ACADEMY will be produced by CBS Studios in association with Secret Hideout and Roddenberry Entertainment.
“We are excited to introduce ‘Star Trek’ fans to a whole new generation of Starfleet officers in training as they navigate the rigors of the Academy and the brink of adulthood in STAR TREK: STARFLEET ACADEMY,” said Domenic DiMeglio, Chief Marketing Officer and Head of Data, Paramount Streaming. “Introducing new characters and compelling storylines, this all-new original series will serve as a fantastic addition to the franchise and Paramount+, bringing new generations of viewers and long-term ‘Star Trek’ fans alike together to enjoy the next chapter in the iconic ‘Star Trek’ universe.”
“As we continue to explore more of the ‘Star Trek’ universe, we’re thrilled to bring STAR TREK: STARFLEET ACADEMY to fans around the world as the next chapter in this expanding franchise,” said David Stapf, president of CBS Studios. “Alex Kurtzman and Noga Landau’s vision is a smart and thrilling take that celebrates the core principles of what ‘Star Trek’ has always stood for, but through the eyes of the next generation of Starfleet’s leaders.”
STAR TREK: STARFLEET ACADEMY is the latest addition to the expanding “Star Trek” franchise on Paramount+, which includes the current hit original series STAR TREK: DISCOVERY, STAR TREK: PICARD, the animated series STAR TREK: LOWER DECKS and STAR TREK: PRODIGY, and STAR TREK: STRANGE NEW WORLDS.
Additionally, Star Trek: Lower Decks actor Tawny Newsome revealed today that she’s joined the Starfleet Academy writing team:
Excited to announce I’ve joined the writers room for this 🖖🏾🚀 https://t.co/qGcFOPS53a
— Tawny “My Name is Tawny” Newsome (@TrondyNewman) March 30, 2023
No casting information or other more-specific details about the upcoming series was included with today’s announcement, however there is one hint that may be pointing at where the series is likely to be set within the Star Trek timeline — and here’s our speculation:
“For the first time in over a century, our campus will be re-opened…” says the announcement, which heavily implies that the show will be centered in the far future setting of Star Trek: Discovery’s era — where Season 4 of that series reopened Starfleet Academy following a long closure, after the crew of the USS Discovery solved the mystery of The Burn.
In addition, Discovery’s Lieutenant Sylvia Tilly (Mary Wiseman) transferred off of her starship to pursue a role at the new Starfleet Academy after accompanying a group of cadets through a hazardous mission-gone-wrong in Season 4’s “All Is Possible.”
Interestingly, longtime Star Trek franchise boss Alex Kurtzman will serve as co-showrunner on Starfleet Academy, joining franchise newcomer Noga Landau (best known for her work running Tom Swift and Nancy Drew for The CW and The Magicians for SyFy); it seems to be a similar arrangement to his partnership with Michelle Paradise when she came in to take over Star Trek: Discovery in mid-2019.
That said, there’s still plenty we don’t know about the Starfleet Academy series, so all of this speculation may turn out to be wrong — hopefully the streamer will share some more information about the new show soon, possibly next week for “First Contact Day” on April 5.
Well, there you have it: while Star Trek: Picard and Star Trek: Discovery are both on the way towards their final adventures, the next one is about to begin for the Star Trek Universe.
What are your thoughts on today’s Star Trek: Starfleet Academy announcement? Let us know in the comments below!