After the end ofStar Trek: Discovery, which pushedStar Trekinto the unknown again, the franchise desperately needs its latest upcoming TV show,Star Trek: Starfleet Academy. Since 2009, when JJ Abrams' rebootStar Trekfranchise reintroduced a new and younger audience to the final frontier,Star Trekhas been focused on the past. With prequel films showing an alternative timeline of beloved characters,Star Trek: Discoverytook a bold leap forward– literally. Jumping to the 32nd century allowed the show to take on fresh, new mysteries that noStar TrekTV showhas ever encountered.
WithStar Trek: Discoverytaking its final bow in May 2024,Star Trek’s current timelineconsists mostly of nostalgia-based narratives.Star Trek: Strange New Worldsis arguablyStar Trek’s most popular series at the moment, and it does include some exciting new storylines, but it nevertheless acts as a prequel toStar Trek: The Original Series. EvenStar Trek: Prodigy, whose second season has been a huge fan success, features nostalgic legacy characters fromStar Trek: Voyager. The franchise needs to once again journey into the unknown and focus on the future withStar Trek: Starfleet Academy.
Starfleet Academy Is The Only New Star Trek Project Not Based In The Franchise’s History
Focusing on the future is what Star Trek has always been about
Star Trek: Starfleet Academypromises to focus on a fresh new take on a franchise classic. Starfleet Academy has been featured in many projects over the years, such asStar Trek: The Next GenerationandStar Trek: Picard. It’s a well-known concept, but it hasn’t been overdone, and it brings with it endless potential. TheStar Trek: Starfleet Academycastboasts some big names, such as Academy Award winner Holly Hunter as the lead.Star Trek: Discovery’s Mary Wiseman, Oded Fehr, and Tig Notaro are also returning to space and reprising their previousStar Trekroles.
Why Star Trek’s “Incredibly Optimistic” Next Show Is Set In Discovery’s Timeline Explained By Executive Producer
Star Trek executive producer Alex Kurtzman explains why Starfleet Academy, the next Star Trek series, will be set in Discovery’s 32nd century era.
Despite howStar Trek: Starfleet Academyadds legacy actorsto its ranks, the new show can still focus on its 32nd-century setting instead of relying on the nostalgia often provided by old characters being recast and rewritten for newer audiences. With the promise to be set both on Earth and in space, there are plenty of opportunities to steer the show away from revisiting old narratives. WhileStar Trek: Strange New Worldsthrives on bringing back narratives and characters from olderStar Trekprojects,the franchise needs to have an effective counterbalance to the past.
Star Trek Needs Fresh, Future-Looking Projects In Order To Stay Relevant
After Star Trek: Discovery’s finale, Star Trek needs to look ahead
With such a young cast – presumably playing students – along with some returning favorites,Star Trek: Starfleet Academyhas everything it needs to look to the future while still tethering itself to established canon. Additionally, sinceStar Trek: Lower Deckshas done its part in introducing a wide range of non-human species to Starfleet,Star Trek: Starfleet Academycan showcase a more diverse live-action group of studentsand narratives that speak to Starfleet’s inclusive purpose to boldly go where no one has gone before. By focusing on the future,Star Trek: Starfleet Academycan highlight the very best ofStar Trek.
Star Trek Casts Paul Giamatti As Starfleet Academy Villain In Next Series
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy casts Academy Award nominee and Golden Globe winner Paul Giamatti in a recurring role as the villain.
The 32nd century is the perfect playground forStar Trekto move the franchise into the future.By covering new ground,Star Trek: Starfleet Academyhas the chance to be as groundbreaking asStar Trek: Discoverywas during its acclaimed 5-season run. Without being tied down by established canon,Star Trek: Starfleet Academycan push through barriers that currently restrict every otherupcomingStar Trekmovie and TV show. Without these restrictions,Star Trek: Starfleet Academycould prove to be the perfect replacement forStar Trek: Discoveryand take the franchise where no one has gone before.
