Starfleet Academy Cast: Hollywood Legends Meet Fresh Faces in Latest Star Trek Series
A New Era Begins at Starfleet Academy
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy premiered on the streaming service Paramount+ on January 15, 2026, with its first two episodes, marking a significant moment in the Star Trek universe. The series brings together an impressive ensemble of Academy Award-winning talent alongside fresh new faces, creating what promises to be one of the franchise’s most ambitious entries yet.
Set in the 32nd century, this latest instalment represents a bold new direction for the beloved science fiction franchise, focusing on the first class of cadets to train at Starfleet Academy in over a century following a catastrophic event known as ‘The Burn.’
The Star-Studded Leadership
Leading the charge is Oscar winner Holly Hunter as Nahla Ake: The half-Lanthanite captain of the USS Athena and the chancellor of Starfleet Academy. Hunter’s dual role as both captain and educator brings gravitas to the series, with the actress describing her enjoyment of the dichotomy between commanding and teaching.
Paul Giamatti was cast in the recurring guest role of the season’s main villain in June 2024, later revealed to be named Nus Braka. The Academy Award nominee plays a part-Klingon, part-Tellarite who has an ominous past connection to one of the cadets, bringing his signature intensity to the Star Trek universe.
The New Generation of Cadets
The series introduces six main cadets who form the heart of the story. Sandro Rosta plays Caleb Mir, the human main character in Starfleet Academy. As the Starfleet Academy trailer confirmed, Caleb was separated from his mother years ago, and he’s joined up with an agenda.
Kerrice Brooks as Sam (Series Acclimation Mil): The first Kasqian to attend Starfleet Academy, representing a groundbreaking holographic species. Joining her are George Hawkins as Darem Reymi: A Khionian cadet and aspiring captain. Darem is from a wealthy home world which gives him certain expectations for his time at Starfleet Academy.
Bella Shepard as Genesis Lythe: A Dar-Sha cadet who is the daughter of an admiral, and is determined to make her own name in Starfleet, whilst Zoë Steiner as Tarima Sadal: The daughter of the president of Betazed. Karim Diané rounds out the main cadet cast as Jay-Den Kraag, a Klingon cadet focusing on the sciences.
Returning Trek Legends and Guest Stars
The series brings back beloved characters from across the Star Trek universe. Robert Picardo as the Doctor: A 900-year-old holographic teacher at Starfleet Academy, reprising his iconic role from Star Trek: Voyager. Actor and comedian Tig Notaro is also back as Jett Reno, the human engineer who was picked up by the USS Discovery in Season 2.
In a delightful surprise, Stephen Colbert as the voice of Starfleet Academy’s Digital Dean of Students The Emmy® winner (The Late Show With Stephen Colbert) is heard as the faculty member who makes daily announcements – and issues alerts.
Tatiana Maslany, Caleb’s mom, appears in a recurring special guest role, whilst WWE star Becky Lynch and other notable performers round out the diverse cast.
Why This Matters for Star Trek’s Future
The series has already been renewed for a second season before its premiere, demonstrating Paramount+’s confidence in the project. With the other eight episodes of the first season will be released weekly until March 12, audiences will have plenty of time to connect with this new generation of Starfleet officers.
For long-time fans and newcomers alike, Starfleet Academy represents an exciting entry point into the Star Trek universe, blending the franchise’s optimistic vision of the future with coming-of-age storytelling and the gravitas of Hollywood’s finest actors. As the cadets navigate friendships, rivalries, and threats to the Federation itself, viewers are invited to witness the birth of the next generation of Starfleet leaders.