Starfleet Academy reimagines Star Trek as a 32nd-century YA drama

Gamesradar says Starfleet Academy reinvents Star Trek in the franchise's 60th year, spotlighting a sprawling ensemble led by Holly Hunter and Paul Giamatti while centring on conflicted younger characters.

Set in the 32nd century, the ten-episode series follows students and teachers at the academy and leans into YA drama with romances, rivalries and teachable moments, while also packing in Easter eggs and crossover characters such as Robert Picardo's hologram Doctor and Tig Notaro's Jett Reno. The pilot introduces Captain Nahla Ake (Holly Hunter) and cadet Caleb Mir (Sandro Rosta), alongside Jay-Den Kraag (Karim Diané), the hologram Sam (Kerrice Brooks) and Genesis (Bella Shepard); Paul Giamatti plays the villain Nus Braka. Showrunners are Alex Kurtzman and Noga Landau.

The review lists strengths — an original take, a balance between pleasing older fans and bringing in new viewers, and lavish sets and effects — and weaknesses — it takes a few episodes to find its feet, the large cast means some characters are short-changed, and the jokes don't always land. Six of the ten episodes were reviewed, a second season is already in production, and Starfleet Academy streams on Paramount Plus from January 15, 2026.

Key Topics

Culture, Starfleet Academy, Star Trek, Holly Hunter, Paul Giamatti, Paramount Plus