News of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy’s cancellation broke back in March, and once the second season finally drops — likely in early 2027 — that will mark the end for the much-maligned streaming series. However, one of the young actors who comprises the core five cadets from the Academy, Kerrice Brooks, has been cast in the mysterious and still unnamed Universal movie being directed by the Daniels duo (per Deadline). Brooks reacted by posting the following on Instagram and writing:
"Thank you God😭-It’s bouta get unchyyyyyyyyyyyyyyYYYYYY."
Brooks, who played the first photonic (hologram) to attend Starfleet Academy, was added to the cast of directors Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert’s secret Universal project along with actors Silvia Dionicio, Jackson Kelly, and Thalia Dudek.
What I find most fascinating about the mysterious movie isn’t that details about the plot are being closely guarded: it’s the fact that the film doesn’t have a name yet, but it’s already officially slated for release on November 19, 2027.
For me, and I’m sure many other Starfleet Academy fans, Brooks’ shining moments as SAM came in two of the show's best episodes. First, the curious photonic digs into the 800-year-old mystery of Captain Benjamin Sisko’s (Avery Brooks) disappearance during the SFA episode titled “Series Acclimation Mil," which follows up on the events of Deep Space Nine’s thrilling finale over 25 years ago.
SAM has some wonderful interactions with two beloved DS9 characters: Jake Sisko (Cirroc Lofton) and Dax (Tawny Newsome). Brooks steals the show in “Series Acclimation Mil,” even with all the other great performers sharing the screen. However, the actress showed just a powerful of a performer she could be in the Voyager love letter, “The Life of the Stars.”
Longing for acceptance and love, SAM is utterly heartbroken when The Doctor (Robert Picardo) won’t even hold her hand as she prepares to fight for her life on Kasq. The EMH fears getting close to anyone again because he can’t go through the pain of losing yet another loved one.
Brooks not only sells SAM’s disappointment and anguish in that tearful moment, but she turns it all on a dime later in the episode once The Doctor faces his fears and raises her as his daughter — much to the delight of this Trekkie.
The Daniels landed a first-rate actor, whose talent will only get better as Brooks progresses through what is sure to be a memorable acting career. However, I’d be even more excited about her secret Universal film if the studio would release a little information about the project, even if it is just the title and the movie’s gene.
For more Star Trek content, visit the Redshirts Always Die Facebook and X pages.
Live long and prosper, Trekkies!
Add us as a preferred source on Google