STAR TREK: STARFLEET ACADEMY Trailer: Cadet Kisses, Stephen Colbert & Villainous Paul Giamatti

Fall has arrived — and that means Starfleet Academy is officially in session. If the first trailer for Star Trek: Starfleet Academy is anything to go by, we’re about to dive into a high-stakes boarding school experience full of drama and romance, but with all the hallmarks of classic Star Trek: planetary exploration, big dreams, and heartwarming hope. Naturally, we also meet Paul Giamatti’s new villain, Nus Braka. We’re ready to enlist. You can check out the trailer below.

To give us more insight into the series, Star Trek: Starfleet Academy has also released the following synopsis:

STAR TREK: STARFLEET ACADEMY introduces viewers to a young group of cadets who come together to pursue a shared dream of hope and optimism. Under the watchful and demanding eyes of their instructors, they discover what it truly means to become Starfleet officers — navigating blossoming friendships, intense rivalries, first loves, and a new threat that could endanger both the Academy and the Federation itself.

And yes, first loves are definitely in the air — things get steamier than expected in the Starfleet Academy trailer. We also get a quick introduction to the main cast. According to a release, STAR TREK: STARFLEET ACADEMY stars Holly Hunter as the Chancellor of Starfleet Academy, with cadets portrayed by Sandro Rosta, Karim Diané, Kerrice Brooks, George Hawkins, and Bella Shepard. Also featured are Zoë Steiner, Tig Notaro, Robert Picardo, guest stars Oded Fehr and Mary Wiseman, and recurring guest stars Gina Yashere and Paul Giamatti.

From what we see, Paul Giamatti plays our primary antagonist Nus Braka — a half-Klingon, half-Tellarite hybrid who kidnaps the mother of our protagonist, Caleb Mir, kicking off the emotional core of the series. Intriguing already.

But there’s hope and heart in Starfleet Academy too. Chancellor Nahle Ake, played by Holly Hunter, seems poised to help fill a deep familial void for Caleb. And there’s clearly a “found family” dynamic brewing — a Star Trek staple. We meet the awkward one, the privileged rich kid, and the Klingon cadet (played by Karim Diané).

Adding to the charm, Stephen Colbert lends his voice as the Academy’s Digital Dean of Students — responsible for the daily announcements to cadets. Colbert shared: “I’m thrilled to join this universe I’ve loved for so long, and unlike my on-camera castmates, I’m thrilled to join without having to spend four hours in hair and makeup every day. I’ll see you when Starfleet Academy premieres. Until then, enjoy the Con. Live long… and do your thing.” We’re already on board.

Longtime Star Trek fans will also be happy to see some familiar faces. Tig Notaro returns as engineer Jett Reno, Mary Wiseman is back as former first officer Sylvia Tilly, and Oded Fehr reprises his Star Trek: Discovery role as Admiral Charles Vance — now the head of Starfleet Academy. Robert Picardo is also returning as the iconic holographic medic known simply as “The Doctor,” first introduced in Star Trek: Voyager back in 1995. Don’t remind us how long ago that was — he still looks great, anyway.

You can also check out a collection of first-look images from Star Trek: Starfleet Academy below:

What a ride! Star Trek: Starfleet Academy will premiere with two episodes on Thursday, January 15, 2026, on Paramount+ in the U.S. New episodes from the 10-episode season will drop every Thursday, with the season finale airing on March 12, 2026.