Cast and crew members discussed being a part of ‘Star Trek: Starfleet Academy’ as the ‘Star Trek’ franchise enters its 60th anniversary year.
Awards Focus had the opportunity to talk with a number of people involved in the series, both those in front and behind the camera. It’s a happy accident that ‘Star Trek: Starfleet Academy’ is arriving during the 60th anniversary year. Alex Kurtzman and Noga Landau were announced as showrunners when the series was first ordered in March 2023. Because of the double strikes, it would be some time before the ten-episode season would make its arrival.
In ‘Star Trek: Starfleet Academy’, audiences are introduced to a new group of cadets coming together to pursue a common dream of hope and optimism in an era after the Burn. Under their instructors’ watchful and demanding eyes, these cadets will discover what it takes to become Starfleet officers while navigating friendships, rivalries, first loves, and a new enemy threatening both the Academy and the Federation.
Created by Gaia Violo, the series stars Holly Hunter, Sandro Rosta, Karim Diané, Kerrice Brooks, George Hawkins and Bella Shepard, plus Zoë Steiner, Tig Notaro, Robert Picardo, and guest stars Oded Fehr, Mary Wiseman, as well as recurring guest stars Gina Yashere and Paul Giamatti. Stephen Colbert voices Starfleet Academy’s Digital Dean of Students.
Alex Kurtzman and Noga Landau serve as co-showrunners and executive produce the series alongside executive producers Gaia Violo, Aaron Baiers, Olatunde Osunsanmi, Jenny Lumet, Rod Roddenberry, Trevor Roth, Frank Siracusa and John Weber. The series’ premiere episode is written by Gaia Violo and directed by Alex Kurtzman.
In addition to showrunners Alex Kurtzman and Noga Landau, Awards Focus had the opportunity to speak with Holly Hunter, Paul Giamatti, Robert Picardo, Gina Yashere, Zoë Steiner, Karim Diané, Bella Shepherd, George Hawkins, Kerrice Brooks, and Sandro Rosta. These are the standard quick junket interviews so most of them run around four minutes in length.
This isn’t Giamatti’s first go around with wearing a substantial amount of makeup as a character. Over two decades ago, he had to be painted blue over his entire body when he starred as an arrogant Hollywood producer in ‘Big Fat Liar.” Giamatti discussed his experiences in having to undergo the makeup process both then and now.
As for Kerrice Brooks, even though she had a minor supporting role in the critically acclaimed and award-winning ‘My Old Ass’, she had considered quitting acting before finding out she got the job.
Following its two-episode series premiere, new episodes of ‘Star Trek: Starfleet Academy’ are streaming weekly on Paramount+ through March 12, 2026.
You can watch the various interviews below: