Star Trek: Starfleet Academy premieres January 15, 2026, on Paramount+, pairing Oscar-winning talent with Star Trek veterans in the franchise’s first Academy-set series set in the 32nd century.

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Lead Actress: Holly Hunter as Captain Nahla Ake · Key Cadets: Sandro Rosta, Karim Diané, Kerrice Brooks, George Hawkins · Premiere: January 15, 2026 · Episodes: 10

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Specific details on Stephen Colbert’s digital role
  • Season 2 premiere date and episode count
  • Full episode titles beyond the pilot
3Timeline signal
4What happens next
  • Second season already confirmed (Parade report)
  • Season 2 renewal signals franchise confidence (Parade report)

The cast brings together Oscar and Emmy winners alongside established Star Trek veterans and newcomers, creating a blend of prestige and franchise continuity that Paramount+ is clearly counting on for its revival.

The cast table below consolidates lead, supporting, and guest roles confirmed across Paramount+ and secondary sources.

Actor Character Role Type Source
Holly Hunter Nahla Ake Lead (Captain) Paramount+ cast listing
Sandro Rosta Caleb Mir Lead (Cadet) Parade interview
Karim Diané Jay-Den Kraag Lead (Cadet) Bleeding Cool report
Kerrice Brooks Sam (SAM) Lead (Cadet) Bleeding Cool report
George Hawkins Darem Reymi Lead (Cadet) Wikipedia entry
Gina Yashere Lura Thok Faculty Paramount+ cast listing
Robert Picardo The Doctor Legacy Guest Wikipedia entry
Tig Notaro Jett Reno Faculty Paramount+ cast listing
Oded Fehr Admiral Charles Vance Supporting Parade interview
Tatiana Maslany Anisha Recurring Guest Parade interview
Mary Wiseman Sylvia Tilly Guest Appearance Parade interview
Rebecca Quin (Becky Lynch) Lieutenant Ya Supporting Paramount+ cast listing

Who is the British actor in Starfleet Academy?

George Hawkins plays Darem Reymi, a Khionian cadet and aspiring captain from a wealthy home world (Wikipedia entry).

George Hawkins as Cdt. Darem Reymi

  • Khionian species representative in the cadet roster
  • Background as aspiring captain from wealth

Is Stephen Colbert going to be on Star Trek?

Stephen Colbert provides the voice of Starfleet Academy’s Digital Dean of Students (Paramount+ cast listing), though specific details beyond this announcement remain limited.

Announcement context

  • Late-night host attached as voice talent
  • Digital Dean role rather than physical appearance

Will there be a season 2 of Starfleet Academy?

The series has already been renewed for a second season (Parade report), with season 1 airing from January 15 through March 12, 2026.

Season 1 status

  • Ten episodes comprising the first season
  • Weekly Thursday releases on Paramount+

Who are the main cast members of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy?

Holly Hunter anchors the ensemble as Nahla Ake, the half-Lanthanite captain of the USS Athena and chancellor of Starfleet Academy (Paramount+ cast listing). She won the Academy Award for Best Actress for The Piano.

Holly Hunter

  • Character: Nahla Ake (Captain)
  • Academy Award-winning actress

Sandro Rosta

  • Character: Caleb Mir (Cadet)
  • Oxford School of Drama graduate

Karim Diané

  • Character: Jay-Den Kraag (Cadet)
  • Klingon aspiring medical officer

Kerrice Brooks

  • Character: Sam/SAM (Cadet)
  • First of her kind at the Academy

What is the cast of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy season 1?

Ten episodes comprise the first season (Memory Alpha wiki), with new episodes dropping weekly on Thursdays throughout the season (Paramount+ release schedule).

Confirmed roles

  • Gina Yashere as Lura Thok (First Officer, Klingon/Jem’Hadar hybrid)
  • Robert Picardo as The Doctor (Voyager legacy character)
  • Oded Fehr as Admiral Charles Vance (Fleet Admiral)

Additional cast

  • Bella Shepard as Genesis Lythe (Dar-Sha, admiral’s daughter)
  • Zoë Steiner as Tarima Sadal
  • Brit Marling as USS Athena computer voice
Bottom line: Holly Hunter leads the cast as an Oscar-winning anchor, balanced by Star Trek veterans and rising theatrical talent. Stephen Colbert’s involvement is confirmed but limited to a voice role. Season 2 renewal signals Paramount+’s commitment to the franchise.

Timeline

Five production and release milestones trace the series from filming through its inaugural season.

When What happened
August 2024 First season filming begins (Memory Alpha wiki)
February 2025 First season filming wraps (Memory Alpha wiki)
January 15, 2026 Series premiere and first two episodes release (Paramount+ cast listing)
January 15 – March 12, 2026 Weekly episode releases continue through season finale (Paramount+ release schedule)
March 12, 2026 Season 1 finale airs (Paramount+ cast listing)

The timeline shows a compressed production schedule with filming completing just months before the premiere date.

The upshot

The series features 5 confirmed leads alongside 7 supporting or guest performers, creating a layered ensemble that balances established franchise recognition with fresh blood.

Confirmed facts

  • Holly Hunter as Capt. Nahla Ake (Paramount+ cast listing, Wikipedia entry)
  • George Hawkins as Cdt. Darem Reymi (Wikipedia entry, Parade interview)
  • Stephen Colbert confirmed as Digital Dean of Students (Paramount+ cast listing)
  • Season 1: ten episodes, weekly Thursday releases (Paramount+ release schedule, Memory Alpha wiki)
  • Series renewed for second season (Parade report)

What’s unclear

  • Full details on Stephen Colbert’s digital role
  • Season 2 premiere timeline and episode count
  • Full cast for future episodes

“Holly Hunter’s involvement brought Academy Award prestige to the production.” — Parade

“The cast represents a deliberate mix of Star Trek veterans and emerging talent.” — Bleeding Cool

Why this matters

The inclusion of Oscar and Emmy winners positions Paramount+ to attract dedicated Star Trek fans alongside prestige TV audiences seeking the credibility that award-winning performers bring.

Summary

Star Trek: Starfleet Academy delivers an ambitious ensemble cast spanning Academy Award winners to Star Trek franchise veterans to rising theatrical talent. For Star Trek fans and prestige TV viewers alike, the mix of Holly Hunter, Robert Picardo, and emerging performers like Sandro Rosta offers both nostalgic recognition and fresh storytelling potential.

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Frequently asked questions

Who plays the captain in Star Trek: Starfleet Academy?

Holly Hunter plays Nahla Ake, the half-Lanthanite captain of the USS Athena and chancellor of Starfleet Academy (Paramount+ cast listing).

What is the premise of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy?

The series follows cadets training at Starfleet Academy aboard the USS Athena, with Holly Hunter leading as chancellor and captain (Paramount+ cast listing).

When does Star Trek: Starfleet Academy premiere?

The series premiered January 15, 2026, with episodes releasing weekly on Thursdays through the season finale on March 12, 2026 (Paramount+ release schedule).

Are there any returning Star Trek actors in Starfleet Academy?

Robert Picardo returns as The Doctor from Star Trek: Voyager, Mary Wiseman appears as Sylvia Tilly from Star Trek: Discovery, and Tig Notaro joins as Jett Reno (Wikipedia entry, Parade interview).

Who is Becky Lynch in relation to Star Trek: Starfleet Academy?

Rebecca Quin, known professionally as Becky Lynch, plays Lieutenant Ya, a member of the USS Athena’s bridge crew (Paramount+ cast listing). She is a WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion (Paramount+ cast listing).

What Klingon cast is announced for Starfleet Academy?

Karim Diané plays Jay-Den Kraag, a Klingon cadet who dreams of becoming a medical officer (Bleeding Cool report). Gina Yashere plays Lura Thok, a Klingon/Jem’Hadar hybrid who serves as the Chancellor’s First Officer and Cadet Master (Paramount+ cast listing).

How many episodes in Star Trek: Starfleet Academy season 1?

Ten episodes comprise the first season (Memory Alpha wiki).