The reviews are out for the upcoming Star Trek: Starfleet Academy series, and the reaction is solid
Star Trek Starfleet Academy is coming to Paramount+ featuring a blend of Academy Award-winning veterans, fresh new faces, and returning legacy characters from Star Trek of old.
Credit: Paramount
Produced by Alex Kurtzman and Noga Landau, the all-new series set in the 32nd century after the events of Star Trek: Discovery follows a new class of cadets—the first in over 100 years—as they train to become officers and rebuild the Federation. The 10-episode first season will be released weekly through March 12, 2026.
Professional critics, who were provided with the first six episodes, describe the show as a major shift for the franchise that successfully balances coming-of-age drama with classic Star Trek optimism. While some appreciate the new and fresh approach, others criticize the show for moving too far away from what made the older series special. Starfleet Academy embraces interpersonal conflict and character flaws among the main crew, with many viewers finding this approach more compelling and realistic.
Drama follows the “blossoming friendships, explosive rivalries, and first loves” of a new class of Starfleet cadets. Credit: Paramount
Collider’s Samantha Coley, a well-known and respected editor in the business, stated that Starfleet Academy “is the best Star Trek series of the modern era” and “a bold new era for the franchise.”
Another top critic, senior news editor Jacob Hall, described his take on the series: “when it works—and it generally does—’Starfleet Academy‘ is a joy,” and “the ensemble is a healthy mixture of young talent and veteran performers.”
The Wraps Michel Ghanem said that it’s a “decisively new approach to the franchise, one that mostly prioritizes a light tone and whimsy over the self-seriousness that sometimes plagued shows like ‘Discovery,’ without being quite as goofy as ‘Lower Decks’ and turning up the heat when it needs to.”
Other critics have praised the new series for attempting a new, more youthful approach to the franchise, which has generated a mix of enthusiasm for its fresh tone and skepticism from some long-time fans concerned about its focus on teen drama.
Paul Giamatti as Nus Braka, a half-Klingon/half-Tellarite pirate with a grudge against the Federation ‘Star Trek: Starfleet Academy’. Credit: Brooke Palmer and Paramount
“Star Trek endures because it keeps returning to the radical idea that hope is something you build patiently over time. Whether this series can live up to that legacy remains an open question, but it’s planting some of the right seeds.” – Zaki Hasan, SF Chronicle
“Does this blend of old and new — at least, new to Star Trek — actually work? At times, almost shockingly well. At others, there are as many growing pains and awkward interactions for Starfleet Academy itself as there are for its students.” – Alan Sepinwall, Who’s Alan Watching
Kerrice Brooks, Romeo Carere, Karim Diané, Sandro Rosta, George Hawkins and Bella Shepard in ‘Star Trek: Starfleet Academy’. Credit: Brooke Palmer and Paramount
“Starfleet Academy clearly has a lot of love for what has come before it, and how that history will shape this next generation. But it also loves Star Trek enough to keep trying to push it forward, too.” – James Whitbrook, io9
“A noble experiment with some promising aspects… and others that need a little remedial work.” – Dave Nemetz, TV Line
“It may end up scrutinising the boldly going space adventurers more than any other series in the franchise. This fact means that although SFA may not be the show hardcore Trekkies were expecting, it is certainly and undeniably new.” –Ryan Britt, Inverse
Holly Hunter and a very young ‘Starfleet Academy’ cast. Credit: John Medland and Paramount
Audience sentiment is polarized ahead of the official launch. Hardcore fans have expressed skepticism over the adolescent melodrama and modern slang. However, others are very optimistic about the diverse cast, including standout characters like the pacifist Klingon Jay-Den Kraag and the photonic cadet Sam.
Over at Rotten Tomatoes, Starfleet Academy currently stands at 83%, which is one point above the 82% that Star Trek: Discovery debuted with. Naysayers are going to have a hard time accepting these scores.
Holly Hunter and Paul Giamatti in ‘Star Trek: Starfleet Academy’. Credit: Brooke Palmer/Paramount+)
Not all the reviews were raving. So, let’s calm down a bit before we crown it. But Academy shows promise as a fresh take on Star Trek, aiming to forge new heroes through relatable challenges and ethical growth. If these early reviews hold true, then fans should be very excited for what’s to come.
Cast members include Holly Hunter, Sandro Rosta, Karim Diané, Kerrice Brooks, George Hawkins, Bella Shepard, Zoë Steiner, Gina Yashere, Paul Giamatti, and Tatiana Maslany.
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy premieres Thursday, January 15, on Paramount+.
Scene from ‘Star Trek: The Motion Picture. Credit: Paramount
“The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few… or the one” is a famous quote from Spock in Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan
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