“We go deep on [SPOILER] in season 2.”
Back in March, Star Trek: Starfleet Academy showrunners Alex Kurtzman and Noga Landau teased that there would be exciting developments in Nahla Ake’s (Holly Hunter) journey during season 2, particularly where her relationships and family were concerned.
And, as was revealed during the show’s New York Comic Con 2026 panel over this last weekend, Star Trek fans will finally have the opportunity to meet an important member of the Starfleet Academy chancellor’s family, who is portrayed by none other than Golden Globe winner Bill Nighy.
Nighy, who is best known by movie fans for his incredible work in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, Love Actually, and one my favorite films, Anya Taylor-Joy's Emma, will portray Nahla Ake’s full-blooded Lanthanite father. And for those who may be new to the Star Trek fandom, a Lanthanite can virtually live forever. In fact, Nahla herself is 422 years old, and she is only half Lanthanite.
“You’ll get to learn more about Nahla, a lot more about Nahla, actually,” Kurtzman teased earlier this year while discussing Starfleet Academy season 2. “We go deep on Nahla in season 2,” Landau added during the same sit-down. “Also, Holly Hunter in season 2, it’s like an acting [dream]. You might meet some of Nahla’s family members.” And not just her father.
In addition to Nighy joining Starfleet Academy as Nahla’s estranged father, Nyk, Hunter will be pulling double duty during season 2, as the Oscar-winning actress will also play Nahla’s twin sister. For now, though, that’s all the information that has been released about the growing Ake family, but fans can check out a couple of images of Nyk below, courtesy of Star Trek’s official Instagram account.
So, are you as excited as I am that Bill Nighy is joining season 2? Share your thoughts and comments with us on the Redshirts Always Die Facebook and X pages. And Star Trek: Starfleet Academy season 2 premieres on Paramount+ in March 2027.
Live long and prosper, Trekkies!
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