The New York Comic Con Star Trek panel promised surprises, and surprises we got! We expect some Academy Updates, but this was a big one! The series has not even finished filming, never mind aired yet! However, Star Trek: Starfleet Academy has just been renewed for a second season. Plus a new surprise casting announcement as Emmy Award winner Tatiana Maslany (Orphan Black) joins the cast as a recurring guest star for Season 1.
Surprise Guests!
Actor Robert Picardo made a surprise appearance on stage in New York today, much to the delight of the crowd. The actor had already been announced as part of the cast of Starfleet Academy back in July at the San Diego Comic-Con. Picardo joked ‘Please state the nature of the sentimental emergency’ when questioned about his surprise return to the Star Trek Universe.
“It is now I think 600 years ahead of Voyager, so I’m now about 900 year’s old give or take. And it’s great, I don’t look bad for 900.”
Robert Picardo on stage at NYCC 2024
His presence wasn’t the only unexpected twist, with several more cast joining Picardo via livestream. These included cadet castmembers Karim Diane, George Hawkins, Kerrice Brooks, Sandro Rosta, Bella Shepard, and Zoë Steiner. As well as franchise boss and Starfleet Academy co-showrunner Alex Kurtzman. The series is currently filming its debut season in Toronto, Canada having adopted Star Trek: Discovery‘s soundstages at Pinewood Studios Toronto.
New Casting Announcement!
While we didn’t get a look at the series, we did get some Academy updates! Firstly, a new casting announcement for Canadian Actress Tatiana Maslany (Orphan Black). The Emmy winner is playing an as-yet unrevealed character in a recurring “special guest star” role for Season 1.
Franchise boss Alex Kurtzman who is also co-showrunning the series, and taking on directing duties is clearly excited to be working with Muslany. He had this to say about the experience so far.
I’ve had the incredible privilege of being able to director her. and I can tell you that she is such a genius… she is just incredible. She has been just an amazing addition to the cast. “
Kurtzman also went on to reveal the surprising news that even before they’ve finished filming, the series has been renewed for a second season! This news isn’t massively surprising given Paramount has a habit of early renewals for its Star Trek series. It does, however, demonstrate Paramount’s faith in the success of Starfleet Academy to renew it before its first season has even aired.
What we know so far!
While that was it for Academy updates, the series is still in its early days. It’s set to continue filming until the end of January 2025, and there is no airdate planned just yet. It’s more than likely it won’t beam in until at least 2026.
Tatiana Muslany’s casting rounds off an incredible cast that includes Paul Giamatti, Holly Hunter, Oded Fehr, Tig Notaro, and Mary Wiseman, as well as Robert Picardo. Little information is available on the characters as details are kept tightly under guard. Paul Giamatti however, has been touted as the new ‘villain’ for the series. The cast is littered with award winners, plus a fresh-faced team of young, new talent. And the series is set to be a ‘coming of age’ drama for the cadets, with all the Star Trek trimmings.
“Star Trek: Starfleet Academy follows the adventures of a new class of Starfleet cadets as they come of age in one of the most legendary places in the galaxy. Under the watchful and demanding eyes of their instructors, they will discover what it takes to become Starfleet officers as they navigate blossoming friendships, explosive rivalries, first loves and a new enemy that threatens both the Academy and the Federation itself.”
Official Synopsis
That was it for our Academy Updates, be sure to follow Trek Central for all the latest independent Star Trek news, lore, features, and more!
More From Trek Central
📰 – Star Trek: Section 31 & Lower Decks Beams To NYCC 2024!
🔥 – Star Trek Online Developer Cryptic Studios Suffers Staff Layoffs
🔍️ – Star Trek: Picard Bridge Set To Appear At Universal Fan Fest
Join the Star Trek conversation via our social media platforms:
- Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/TrekCentral
- Instagram – https://instagram.com/TrekCentral
- Twitter – https://twitter.com/TheTrekCentral
- YouTube – https://youtube.com/TheTrekCentral
- Mastodon – https://mastodon.social/@TrekCentral@universeodon.com
- Discord – https://discord.gg/fF2heMbfW8
