Starfleet Academy Details

Key Takeaways

Star Trek: Starfleet Academy is set in the distant future, with rumors circulating about the show.
The show will feature familiar faces like Tilly and The Doctor from Voyager, but Tilly will only guest star on the show.
Pinewood Canada will host the filming of the show, with the biggest soundstage ever built in Canada for the elaborate set designs.

As a die-hard Star Trek fan who has been following this franchise since I was just a wee lad exploring the galaxy of my backyard, I must say that the recent developments surrounding the upcoming series, “Starfleet Academy,” have me beaming with excitement!

The Star Trek universe keeps growing, with one series wrapping up, another is either being made or set to debut. For instance, Star Trek: Discovery recently concluded its five-season run, and among the upcoming projects generating buzz is Starfleet Academy, a much-anticipated show slated for release in 2026.

Starfleet Academy is connected to other “Star Trek” series in various ways, but this new production aims to offer a fresh take on the universe. The majority of the cast are newcomers to the franchise, and their narratives will be set within a distinct time period. Here’s what we know about the show so far:

1 The Distant Future

32nd Century Earth

Going even further where no one has gone before

The Starfleet Academy, located in a future era, has been established due to time travel being integrated into the narrative of the Star Trek universe. However, precise details about this tumultuous epoch are yet to be fully developed. There have been whispers about a series centered around academy life, particularly since the release of the 1997 video game with the same title and the well-received college-aged scenes in the 2009 version of Star Trek.

Beyond delving into the typical hurdles faced by trainees at this renowned academy, the series will also tackle significant problems unique to the Star Trek universe. The narrative unfolds with a looming mysterious adversary who poses a grave danger to galactic life, necessitating readiness from our new recruits.

2 The References To Other Shows

But It’s Not Quite A Spin-Off

Tilly and Burnham are part of the cast and lore

As per the updated storyline in ‘Star Trek’, the Academy had been shut down temporarily before Captain Michael Burnham reopened it during Season 4 of ‘Discovery’. This event marked the beginning of ‘Star Trek: Starfleet Academy’. Two well-known characters, Sylvia Tilly from ‘Discovery’ and The Doctor from ‘Voyager’, will now be assisting students and cadets in their journey through academy life.

Tilly, one of the Academy’s teachers, will make a special appearance rather than being a permanent cast member or recurring character.

3 Shares A Studio With Sister Shows

Pinewood Canada Also Hosted Discovery And Section 31

The Pinewood tradition continues

As a devoted fan, I’d like to share some exciting news about Pinewood Studios, a legendary film production hub based in England. This place has always been a hotbed for action movies and TV shows that push boundaries, such as the iconic James Bond series. Interestingly, it’s rumored that the Canadian branch of this studio will serve as the primary filming location for Starfleet Academy – a thrilling prospect for any sci-fi enthusiast like me!

At present, work is being carried out on the first ten episodes of our series, with completion anticipated next year. This means that production will run simultaneously with another upcoming show, titled Section 31. Interestingly, both shows are being filmed at the same location where Discovery was previously shot. For those planning a visit, you can find this filming location within the Pinewood Studios Group in Toronto.

4 The Soundstage Record

The Biggest In Canada Ever

If you have the space, use it

It appears that practical effects are making a bit of a comeback, as seen in the impressive real-world model and set designs for Starfleet Academy, such as the grandiose main atrium.

Rather than using computer-generated imagery or painting backdrops in a studio, production designer Matthew Davies has constructed the largest set ever made for a Star Trek series. This massive soundstage is not only the biggest in Canada but also stands two stories tall and covers an area of approximately 45,900 square feet. Key features include a mess hall, multiple classrooms, an amphitheater, some catwalks and stairways, and a picturesque view that incorporates the Golden Gate Bridge.

5 San Diego Comic-Con Annoucement

PR That Was Also About Casting

The cast was revealed at one of the entertainment industry’s biggest events

Each summer, San Diego Comic-Con stands out as a significant annual gathering for video game, film, tabletop role-playing games (TTRPG), comic book, and television industry enthusiasts in one of Southern California’s bustling and popular cities. This year saw a notable update regarding the Starfleet Academy, which not only indicated the ongoing production but also hinted at its anticipated release date.

At the conference, the Star Trek Universe panel revealed that some classic characters are making a comeback, with Mary Wiseman’s Tilly and Robert Picardo being just a few of them. Additionally, actors from Discovery who will be featured in Starfleet Academy include Tig Notaro, reprising her role as Jett Reno, and Oded Fehr taking up his old character as Fleet Admiral Charles Vance once more.

6 Other Future Shows

A Super Secret Future Project

Also inspired by the events and characters of Discovery

For quite a while now, the idea of Section 31 has been prevalent in contemporary Star Trek, yet its secretive Starfleet division has never headlined its own series. The rising fame of Captain Philippa Georgiou led to the creation of a spin-off focusing on her counterpart from the Mirror Universe, who arrives in our universe and becomes part of Section 31.

Information regarding the manufacturing and acting in this project has been shrouded in mystery, much like the enigmatic nature of the series itself. However, whispers suggest that it’s nearing completion. As for when Section 31 will be unveiled, the release dates remain as elusive as ever, but predictions hint towards 2025.

2024-09-08 01:03