Paramount’s Star Trek: Starfleet Academy Premieres with New Cadets in Post-Burn Era

Paramount’s 'Star Trek: Starfleet Academy' debuts on Jan. 15, 2024, with a two-episode launch that situates its narrative in the 32nd century, a timeline defined by the aftermath of 'The Burn' event from 'Star Trek: Discovery.' The series introduces cadets navigating a galaxy reshaped by this catastrophic incident, with actors Bella Shepard, Zoë Steiner, and Karim Diané detailing their roles and creative approaches to the material.

Shepard, who portrays Genesis Lythe, emphasized the significance of collaborating with established Trek actors Holly Hunter and Paul Giamatti.

'The fans' reception of it is very gratifying… working with Holly and Paul is a big deal for me,' she stated. Steiner, cast as Tarima Sadal, highlighted the grounded nature of the series’ writing: 'Star Trek' writing is 'very grounded in reality' despite its 'otherworldly' setting.

Diané, who plays Jay-Den Kraag, noted the contrast between his character and his physical appearance: 'I look nothing like Jay-Den in real life… we’re very much the same internally.'

Subscription access to the series requires Paramount+’s 'Essential' tier ($7.99/mo) or 'Premium' tier ($12.99/mo).

The narrative context of the 32nd century remains unexplored in prior Trek series, with 'The Burn' serving as a central structural element for the show’s premise.