Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, a new series that will “follow the adventures of a new class of Starfleet cadets as they come of age in one of the most legendary places in the galaxy,” was recently announced, and we know close to nothing about it. The only solid facts that came from the announcement is that the series exists. However, we can infer some facts about the setting, story, and cast from the press releases that have dropped so far.
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy: Setting
There’s over a millennium of established Trek lore in which to place Starfleet Academy. However, from the announcement from co-showrunners Alex Kurtzman and Noga Landau, we get a good idea of what the setting for the show will be:
“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.”
Our big clue here is, “For the first time in over a century, our campus will be re-opened…” The only time we know of when Starfleet Academy was closed for an extended period is when Earth left the Federation after the Burn. At the end of the fourth season of Discovery, Earth rejoined the Federation, and we can assume that Starfleet Headquarters was moved back to its traditional home.
So, it’s not too much of a leap to assume that Star Trek: Starfleet Academy will take place on Earth in or after the year 3189.
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy: Cast
Production on Starfleet Academy is poised to start in 2024, and presumably, the first season will air in 2025. Discovery will conclude with its fifth season in 2024, which means its entire cast is up for grabs. So anyone might make an appearance.
It’s been heavily hinted that Lieutenant Sylvia Tilly will be a cornerstone of the show. As of the end of the fourth season of Discovery, she’s an instructor at Starfleet Academy, which makes her a shoe-in as a series regular. However, I wouldn’t be surprised if we see mostly newcomers, as this show is aimed at a teen audience.
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy: Story
Co-showrunner Noga Landau worked on the CW’s Nancy Drew, so expect similar plots. While it hasn’t been explicitly billed as such yet, this show will likely be written with fans of CW teen dramas in mind. So, think more Riverdale than traditional Star Trek. Additionally, Landau has no experience with sci-fi, which makes it clear that her role is to replicate the teen drama formula against a Star Trek backdrop.
