‘Star Trek: Starfleet Academy’ Preview Shows Holly Hunter’s Cadets in Life-or-Death Battle
A new sneak peek from Star Trek: Starfleet Academy shows the USS Athena in serious trouble. The preview, revealed at CCXP in Brazil, reveals the starship, also the home of the Academy’s cadets, under attack by the villain Nus Braka, played by Paul Giamatti.
If the crew can’t act fast, school might be over for good. The series is set to premiere on Paramount+ on January 15, 2026.
In the clip, the Athena approaches the Badlands, a dangerous region of space first seen in Star Trek: Voyager. Captain Nahla Ake, played by Holly Hunter, and her first officer Lura Thok, played by Gina Yashere, send cadets to study the area.
But things quickly go wrong when a mysterious force attacks the ship, overwhelming its defenses. Viewers also get a look at the holographic Doctor, played by Robert Picardo, treating the wounded, and Becky Lynch, who joins the bridge crew trying to save the ship. The villain Braka uses a hologram to gloat about his long-awaited revenge on the captain. “What does he want? Can the Athena escape? And why is he talking about origami chickens?” the sneak peek asks, teasing fans to tune in.
A chegada de Nus Braka só pode significar uma coisa: Alerta Vermelho. Paul Giamatti embarca em Star Trek: Starfleet Academy em 15 de janeiro no meu streaming. #StarTrek #ParamountPlusNaCCXP #StarfleetAcademy #CCXP25 pic.twitter.com/pXhSNXJh3R
— Paramount+ Brasil (@paramountplusbr) December 6, 2025
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy is created by Gaia Violo and is part of Alex Kurtzman’s expanded Star Trek Universe. Set in the 32nd century, the show follows the first new class of cadets in over 100 years as they train to become Starfleet officers. Alongside Hunter, the cast includes Zoë Steiner, Tig Notaro, Oded Fehr, and a group of young cadets played by Sandro Rosta, Karim Diané, Kerrice Brooks, George Hawkins, and Bella Shepard.
The show takes place in the far-future 32nd century, continuing the story from Star Trek: Discovery. The Athena serves as both a mobile campus for the cadets and a deployable starship in Starfleet operations.
This sneak peek hints at a mix of high-stakes action, intense drama, and Star Trek’s classic sense of adventure. With a fresh cast of cadets and familiar faces returning, the series looks set to explore new corners of the universe while testing the next generation of Starfleet officers.
This series could be a great way for Star Trek to bring in new fans while keeping longtime viewers engaged. The mix of young cadets and veteran actors seems promising, and the action-packed scenes in the sneak peek are exciting. What do you think about the series so far? Share your thoughts in the comments.
