Star Trek: Starfleet Academy has arrived with plenty of fanfare, even if it includes some vocal social media reactions that are best left floating in deep cyberspace. While discussing the new addition to the long-running sci-fi franchise, Alex Kurtzman spent a little time talking to MovieWeb about his follow-up Star Trek series to the popular Strange New Worlds.
Starfleet Academy is the 12th series in the franchise, and part of the expanded universe Kurtzman has been in charge of creating. Starfleet Academy takes place in the far-flung future of the 32nd century, which was seen briefly towards the end of Star Trek: Discovery. For that reason, Kurtzman used the new series to reflect the real-world divide being experienced by everyone and the way a new generation are being brought into that world. Asked about the similarities and whether they were intentional, Kurtzman said:
“Absolutely 100% that you know Star Trek always reflects a moment right, and the moment that we’re dealing with right now is a generation that’s inheriting a very divided world. And so if you’re going to, if you’re going to write a show about what young characters, what young people are facing, then in the best tradition of Star Trek, it better be allegorical, and it better it better mirror what’s going on now. And this idea that they have to carry the mantle into the future and bring that optimism back felt extremely topical.”
Alex Kurtzman Would Love to Bring Back One Classic Character for 60th Anniversary
Star Trek is one of the longest-running franchises of all-time, and in that time, there have been many different Captains seen onboard many different starships. While many have already returned in some form, when it was noted that we have not seen Star Trek: Enterprise’s Jonathan Archer, Kurtzman says he would love to see his return if possible.
“First of all, I love Scott [Bakula]. He’s such a fantastic person. And we’ve met a couple of times. And I mean, it would, of course, it would be a wonderful thing to be able to do.”
No doubt, fans would also love to see Bakula reprise his role in some form as the franchise hits its 60th anniversary. For now, though, it seems like this is just a pipe dream with no firm plans for it to happen.
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Meanwhile, Starfleet Academy premiered on Jan. 15, and will run through its 10-episode season to a conclusion on Mar. 12 on Paramount+. Reception to the series has been mixed, with critics scoring it high at 88% on Rotten Tomatoes, but, as usual, the diverse cast and inclusive aspects of the show have lumbered it with cries of “not my Star Trek” and “far-left woke garbage.” If only all Star Trek movies were made like it is the 1960s all over again, everyone would be incredibly happy, obviously.
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy
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Science Fiction
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Release Date January 15, 2026
Network Paramount+
Showrunner Alex Kurtzman, Noga Landau
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Directors Alex Kurtzman
Writers Gaia Violo, Gene Roddenberry
Franchise(s) Star Trek
Creator(s) Alex Kurtzman
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