Before we begin, Paul Giamatti was EATING IT UP being on the NYCC 2025 Starfleet Academy panel — and he "is as happy as a pig in [expletive]." His words to which everyone exploded with laughter.
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy already made a few headlines before the universe created by the late Gene Roddenberry arrived today (Sat. Oct 11) at the New York Comic Con, thanks to one of the show’s recurring guest stars.
Gina Yashere accidentally revealed that Starfleet Academy will drop in January 2026. However, that is water under the bridge because Trekkies can now focus on the brand-new official trailer for Starfleet Academy, which has finally been released, and it is sure to please the fandom. Check out the brand-new footage (above):
Starfleet Academy features the acting talents of Academy Award winner Holly Hunter (Best Actress in a Leading Role | The Piano) as not only the captain of the USS Athena, but her character, Nahla Ake, also serves as the Chancellor of Starfleet Academy. Hunter recalled watching Star Trek when she was eight years old with her father, while attending NYCC, so her love of Trek is definitely instilled.
Plus, what would a Star Trek series be without a formidable villain? Trekkies need look no further because the Oscar-nominated Paul Giamatti stars as the half Klingon, half Tellarite Nus Braka.
Giamatti will be a major recurring guest star throughout the season, and Nus Braka is somehow connected to one of Starfleet’s new cadets. Trekkies should also be excited, and rightfully so, because Robert Picardo’s fan-favorite Doctor returns to Star Trek for the new series. Some other familiar faces will show up, too, including Discovery’s Admiral Vance (Oded Fehr) and Jett Reno (Tig Notaro). Mary Wiseman will appear as a guest star in at least one episode.
The new Star Trek series will focus on five Starfleet Academy cadets, including the orphaned Caleb Mir (Sandro Rosta). Could Caleb's troubled past be the connection to Giamatti’s Nus Braka? The trailer definitely shows Nus Braka interacting with the cadet years before as a youngster.
Or is the Klingon student who yearns to become a medical officer, Jay-Den Kraag (Karim Diane), a more likely suspect to be the connection? It's NOT likely given what Trekkies now know from the official trailer.
By the way, Diane revealed to those on hand at NYCC that he spoke with Star Trek's own Michael Dorn in preparation for undergoing the four to five hours in the make-up chair to become his Klingon character.
Kerrice Brooks stars as SAM (Series Acclimation Mil). The actress was very emotional during the NYCC panel and so excited to be a part of Starfleet Academy. Cadet Darem Reymi (George Hawkins) aspires to be the next James T. Kirk or Jean-Luc Picard: an enterprising captain, despite his family's vast wealth. The Dar-Sha Genesis Lythe (Bella Shepard) rounds out the central characters, and Genesis is also focused on command.
What did you think about Star Trek: Starfleet Academy’s official trailer? Are you more excited about the upcoming series, or are you still reserving judgment until the show drops next year? Share your thoughts and comments with us on the Redshirts Always Die Facebook and X pages.
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy drops on Jan. 15, 2026.
Live long and prosper, Trekkies!