The next Star Trek series, Starfleet Academy promises to carry forward the timeless optimism that has defined the franchise for nearly six decades. While the show introduces a younger generation of cadets training for service in Starfleet, it’s not just new adventures which are drawing attention; it stays true to what made Trek great in the first place.
Paul Giamatti, who stars as the show’s half-Klingon, half-Tellarite villain, recently shared why the franchise continues to hold such a strong emotional pull. Giamatti said via TrekMovie.com:
"What about it is so appealing? I know that when I think about it now, it makes me feel good. It feels very comforting. I feel very safe when I watch it or think about it, and I always have. It’s adventure, but it’s positive adventure. It’s good, it’s decent. All the values are right? I just feels comforting to me, every aspect of it. It’s good, decent values. And I like that."
That sense of comfort and moral clarity has always stood at the core of Star Trek. Even as Starfleet Academy explores the ambitions, rivalries, and ideals of young officers-in-training, the heart of the story still beats with Gene Roddenberry’s belief in human progress and ethical exploration. Giamatti’s words capture why this universe continues to inspire: it’s not just about starships and danger, it’s about doing good in a vast and uncertain galaxy.
Does Giamatti's revelation have you even more excited to see the upcoming Star Trek series? Share your thoughts and comments with us on the Redshirts Always Die Facebook and X pages. And Star Trek: Starfleet Academy premieres Jan. 15, 2026, on Paramount Plus.