Grab your PADDs cadets: classes at Starfleet Academy are underway. Production has begun on Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, the newest entry in the Star Trek TV universe, at the Pinewood Toronto Studios’ newly-christened Star Trek Stage. The official Star Trek social media and website shared the first images from the set, featuring familiar faces that are new to the franchise, including Oscar winner Holly Hunter and Oscar nominee Paul Giamatti.

The first season will comprise ten episodes, but currently has no set premiere date. Two images were released of the start of production, and featured members of the cast. The first features cast members outside of the Star Trek Stage at Pinewood Toronto. The second image looks to be a table read, likely of the first episode, with most of the principal actors and one very familiar face: Robert Picardo, who is reprising his role as the Hologram Doctor from Star Trek: Voyager and Star Trek: Prodigy, according to SlashFilm.

Starfleet Academy is set in the 32nd century, during the Discovery era, about 900 years after the Kirk/Enterprise era. It’s a time when the Federation is trying to rebuild its influence, and the series will introduce us to a young group of cadets who join to pursue a common dream of a united galaxy.

Under the watchful eyes of their instructors, the cadets will discover what it takes to become Starfleet officers, amid blossoming friendships, explosive rivalries, first loves and a new enemy that threatens both the Academy and the Federation. When the series was first announced in March of 2023, co-creators and showrunners Alex Kurtzman and Noga Landau released the following statement to fans, an invitation of sorts to join the Academy:

“Admission is now open to Starfleet Academy! Explore the galaxy! Captain your destiny!
For the first time in over a century, our campus will be re-opened to admit individuals a minimum of 16 Earth years (or species equivalent) who dream of exceeding their physical, mental and spiritual limits, who value friendship, camaraderie, honor and devotion to a cause greater than themselves.
The coursework will be rigorous, the instructors among the brightest lights in their respective fields, and those accepted will live and study side-by-side with the most diverse population of students ever admitted. Today we encourage all who share our dreams, goals and values to join a new generation of visionary cadets as they take their first steps toward creating a bright future for us all. Apply today! Ex Astris, Scientia!”

Who Is In The Cast of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy?

While little is known of the storyline for the series, the cast is impressive. Leading the cast is Oscar winner Holly Hunter (The Piano), who plays the captain and chancellor of Starfleet Academy. Joining her is Oscar nominee Paul Giamatti (The Holdovers), who will be a recurring guest star as an unnamed villain.

Crossing over from other Trek series are some familiar faces. In addition to the previously-mentioned Picardo, Tig Notaro (Army of the Dead) returns as Star Trek: Discovery engineer Jett Reno. Also reprising their roles from Discovery are Oded Fehr as Admiral Charles Vance and Mary Wiseman as Sylvia Tilly, who will appear as guest stars. Playing the cadets on the series are Bella Shepard, George Hawkins, Kerrice Brooks, Karim Diane, Zoe Steiner, and Sandro Rosta. Gina Yashere will be a recurring guest star.

Star Trek: Starfleet Academy
will premiere on Paramount+, on a date to be announced.