The release window for the newest Star Trek series, Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, may have been narrowed down thanks to a social media post from one of its stars. While Paramount+ has officially stated the show would arrive in “early 2026,” a now-edited comment suggests a more specific premiere month is on the horizon.
The Accidental Reveal
The potential leak came from actress and comedian Gina Yashere, who plays Commander Lura Thok, a Klingon-Jem’Hadar hybrid who serves as a Cadet Master at the Academy. On her Instagram, Yashere shared a post praising the show’s prosthetic and costume departments. In her original message, she signed off with, “See you in January 2026.”
This specific mention of January 2026 was quickly noticed by fans and entertainment news outlets. Shortly after, Yashere edited her caption, changing the line to the more general “See you in early 2026,” which aligns with the official statement from Paramount+. The swift edit, however, had already fueled speculation that January is the intended premiere month for the highly anticipated series.
Production Status and Official Plans
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy has been in active production for some time. Filming for the first season, which will consist of 10 episodes, began in August 2024 and was completed in February 2025. The series is filmed at Pinewood Toronto Studios in Canada.
In a strong show of confidence, production on a second season began in August 2025, well before the first season has even aired. This suggests that Paramount+ has significant faith in the new series. The official word from the streaming service and producers has consistently pointed to an “early 2026” release window. A January premiere would fit this pattern perfectly, echoing the January 2025 release of the Star Trek film Star Trek: Section 31.
Official news is expected soon, potentially at the Star Trek Universe panel at New York Comic Con on October 11, 2025. The event will feature the show’s cast and executive producers, making it a likely venue for a formal announcement.
What to Expect from the New Series
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy will break new ground for the franchise by focusing entirely on the lives of young cadets. The series is set in the 32nd century, a timeline first established in Star Trek: Discovery. It will follow the first new class of cadets to join Starfleet Academy in over a century as they learn to become officers.
The show features an impressive cast led by Academy Award-winner Holly Hunter. She plays Captain Nahla Ake, the half-Lanthanite Chancellor of the Academy and commander of the USS Athena, a starship integrated with the academy campus. Academy Award nominee Paul Giamatti will appear as the season’s villain, Nus Braka, a Klingon-Tellarite hybrid.
They are joined by a group of young actors playing the cadets, including Sandro Rosta, Karim Diané, and Bella Shepard. The series will also see the return of several beloved characters from the wider Star Trek universe. Robert Picardo will reprise his role as the holographic Doctor from Star Trek: Voyager, now a teacher with centuries of knowledge. Other returning characters include Mary Wiseman as Sylvia Tilly, Tig Notaro as Jett Reno, and Oded Fehr as Admiral Charles Vance.
The show is executive produced and co-showrun by Alex Kurtzman and Noga Landau, key figures behind the current wave of Star Trek series. The first teaser trailer was revealed at San Diego Comic-Con in July 2025 and was met with a positive response from fans, offering a glimpse at the new generation of Starfleet.
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Credits: Trekmovie.com
