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A New Chapter in the Star Trek Universe
The Star Trek universe is set to expand once again with the upcoming series, Star Trek: Starfleet Academy. This new entry promises to bring fresh energy and innovative storytelling to the franchise. One of the showrunners, Alex Kurtzman, has shared insights into how the series was inspired by various cinematic influences, including the legendary filmmaker Steven Spielberg.
Speaking with Grae Drake, Kurtzman discussed the visual style of the show. “In terms of camera movement and the aesthetic of the camera movement, I always go back to Spielberg,” he said. “I feel that he’s the one who understands, my heart soars when I am in the middle of his films.” He mentioned several of Spielberg’s works, such as Munich, West Side Story, and ET, noting that elements from these films have influenced the look and feel of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy.
Another unexpected inspiration for the series came from the 2020 drama Normal People, starring Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar-Jones. Kurtzman described it as “the most remarkable love story I’ve probably ever seen in the last 10 years.” He highlighted the use of close focus lenses in Normal People, which allowed for an intimate portrayal of characters. “We wanted to bring that to it,” he explained.
Innovative Cinematography Techniques
The production team of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy has taken a unique approach to cinematography. They built specialized lenses that have never been used before. These lenses combine spherical and anamorphic features, allowing for dynamic shots that capture both wide and tall perspectives.
Kurtzman explained the reasoning behind this choice: “If you’re on spherical, it’s very tall, right? So if you’re shooting this inside of the Sistine Chapel, you get the floor of the ceiling. If you’re shooting on anamorphic, you’d have to tilt it up from the ground to the ceiling to get that same shot…” He added, “So that’s why this show feels so big, because it really is just so, but the thing about those lenses that I love so much is they’re incredibly intimate.”
What Fans Can Expect
Created by Gaia Violo, Star Trek: Starfleet Academy is set in the 32nd century. The series will take place shortly after Starfleet and the United Federation of Planets begin recovery efforts following the events of the USS Discovery crew resolving the Burn. The show will follow a new class of Starfleet cadets, the first in over a century to have the opportunity to become full-fledged Starfleet Officers as the Federation returns to relative normalcy.
The ensemble cast includes Holly Hunter as Captain of the USS Athena and Starfleet Academy Chancellor Nahla Ake. Other notable stars include Sandro Rosta as Caleb Mir, Karim Diané as Jay-Den Kraag, Kerrice Brooks as Sam, George Hawkins as Darem Reymi, Zoë Steiner as Tarima Sadal, Bella Shepard as Genesis Lythe, Oded Fehr as Charles Vance, and returning franchise stars Robert Picardo as the Doctor and Tig Notaro as Jett Reno.
Back in March 2025, Jonathan Frakes, known for his role in Star Trek: The Next Generation, shared his experience on the set of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy. He mentioned, “It has the most massive set of any Star Trek ever. There’s also a spaceship on the show. I hope that’s not a f***ng secret.” He added, “I’ve had a bad experience with oversharing, and I hope that wasn’t an overshare, but it’s fabulous.”
Premiere Date and Excitement
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy is currently scheduled to premiere on Paramount+ on January 15. Fans are eagerly anticipating the release, hoping for a blend of nostalgia and innovation that honors the legacy of the Star Trek franchise while introducing new elements that will captivate audiences.