Television Science Fiction Shows

Star Trek: Starfleet Academy BTS Photos Reveal Full Cast As Series Starts Filming

Holly Hunter, Succession HBO
By Valerie Ettenhofer

Space school is officially in session: the newest installment in the "Star Trek" universe, "Star Trek: Starfleet Academy," has begun production according to the franchise's official website and social media accounts. In a post shared on X (formerly known as Twitter), the full cast of the new younger-gen series reports for duty in front of the historic "Star Trek" Stage, and everybody looks pretty dang jazzed to be there.

Holly Hunter is now officially confirmed to be playing the captain and chancellor of Starfleet Academy in the cadet-centric new series, and the beloved actor stands at the center of the excited full cast photo (seen above). The Oscar-winning Hunter has, of course, appeared in such phenomenal films as "Broadcast News" and "The Piano," and has a long history on television that includes key roles on shows like "Saving Grace," "Top of the Lake," and "Succession." She knows how to pick a project, and her presence in "Starfleet Academy" makes it an immediate must-watch.

Hunter isn't the only highly decorated actor in the show's cast. Standing beside her in the new first look photo is none other than Paul Giamatti, who won the internet last award season when he took home nearly every trophy (except the Oscar) for his role in Alexander Payne's warm coming-of-age film "The Holdovers," then went to In 'N Out. With his tongue sticking out and his hands triumphantly showing double Vulcan salutes, Giamatti could not look more stoked to be following up his season of recognition with a role on a "Star Trek" show. Giamatti has a recurring guest star role in the new series, though the details surrounding it have yet to be fully revealed.

Starfleet Academy has a great (obviously excited) cast

Robert Picardo, Star Trek: Voyager Paramount

The show also has several other seasoned actors on board, including a few reprising roles they've played in previous "Star Trek" shows. Comedian Tig Notaro and longtime "Star Trek" actor Robert Picardo will return as "Star Trek: Discovery" engineer Jett Reno and "Voyager" and "Prodigy" hologram The Doctor, respectively. Oded Fehr and Mary Wiseman are also both back as guest stars, reprising roles they played in "Star Trek: Discovery." The young cadets featured in the show will be portrayed by Bella Sheperd, George Hawkins, Kerrice Brooks, Karim Diane, Zoe Stiner, and Sandro Rosta, with comedian Gina Yashere also on board as a recurring guest star.

The full cast looks equally stoked in a second production photo shared to social media, in which they all cram into frame to celebrate what appears to be the first table read for the new show. "School is in session, cadets!" the post reads. "Today marks the official start of production as the #StarTrek Stage welcomes #StarfleetAcademy." This is a show that, in some ways, has been 30 years in the making, and it's great to see it finally become a reality.

"Star Trek: Starfleet Academy" does not yet have a release date, but it will debut on Paramount+.

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