John Orquiola is a New & Classic TV Editor, Senior Writer, and Interviewer with a special focus on Star Trek. John has over 4,000 published articles at SR, and he has interviewed the biggest names in Star Trek on the red carpet and VIP events, among other beloved shows, movies, and franchises.
Oded Fehr compares Star Trek: Starfleet Academy to Star Trek: Discovery, highlighting the most important thing both series have in common. Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, Star Trek: Starfleet Academy is now streaming on Paramount+.
As Admiral Charles Vance, the Commander-in-Chief of Starfleet, Oded Fehr reprises the role he originated in Star Trek: Discovery. In Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, Vance is a major player in the United Federation of Planets’ rebuilding after The Burn, which includes reopening Starfleet Academy and naming Captain Nahla Ake (Holly Hunter) as the new Chancellor.
ScreenRant interviewed Oded Fehr about returning as Admiral Vance in Star Trek: Starfleet Academy. Fehr affirms that “Star Trek is the star” of both Starfleet Academy and Star Trek: Discovery, but enjoys how the new, college-set series centers on “lightness and optimism and joy of life.” Read Oded’s quote below:
ScreenRant: This is your second Star Trek show. What are the differences between the two shows? What are the vibes on set on Starfleet Academy, compared to Discovery?
Oded Fehr: In many ways, it’s the same, because it is Star Trek. And I think the Star Trek world of filming, where Star Trek itself is the star, where we have so much behind us that we pay homage to or have respect for, that’s the same, and it’s wonderful. It’s a wonderful place to work. It’s a very inclusive, loving place to work.
The difference with this show, I think, is it’s like being in college. It’s like if you go visit a college, there’s a lot of lightness and optimism and joy of life, and joy of learning, and new experiences. It’s less of the mundane, the day-to-day. We’re all kind of just bogged down with work and with whatever are our worries. It’s more the future is open, and we can make a difference, and we can experience new things. And I think that reflects in the show.
I think that reflects even with Admiral Vance, with his little bit lightness on the show, a little bit more ability to smile, make fun, be lighter.
There is a clear difference in Star Trek: Starfleet Academy’s tone compared to Star Trek: Discovery. Starfleet Academy centers on the optimism of young cadets who want to fix the “broken world” they inherited. As Chancellor, Captain Ake’s concern is to nurture the idealism of her students and prepare them for the challenges that lie ahead as future Starfleet Officers.
Star Trek: Discovery was defined by Captain Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green) and the USS Discovery facing several dire crises that threatened the Federation. While the USS Discovery’s crew embodied the ideals of the 23rd century Starfleet they originated from, Star Trek: Discovery’s tone was about overcoming darkness with hope.
As Oded Fehr points out, Admiral Vance himself is changed, with a lightness and optimism in his spirit that was lacking when he first appeared in Star Trek: Discovery. Working with Captain Burnham and playing a significant role in restoring the Federation to its past glory has given Admiral Vance the confidence to place the future in the hands of Captain Ake and Starfleet Academy.
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The inclusive, progressive future of Star Trek that Gene Roddenberry envisioned is the foundation of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, as it was in Star Trek: Discovery. Admiral Vance oversees Captain Ake, while Star Trek: Discovery alumni Commander Jett Reno (Tig Notaro) and Lieutenant Silvia Tilly (Mary Wiseman) also appear to teach Starfleet Academy’s cadets.
