Jonathan Frakes Reveals Starfleet Academy Is For Hardcore Trek Fans

Star Trek: Starfleet Academy is set to introduce fans to the next generation of Starfleet hopefuls and their adventures, but a recent comment by a longtime franchise creator and producer reveals that the show might not be for the next generation.

The Star Trek shows on Paramount+ have grown into a fairly dense web of lore and narratives since the franchise made a return to small-screen content, and Starfleet Academy is one of the first projects that seems poised to leverage all that build fully. The show is set to chronicle the adventures of the very first class of Starfleet cadets in over 100 years, following the cataclysmic events detailed in Star Trek: Discovery. In addition to some of the bare essential things concerning Starfleet Academy that came out during the announcement, fans have been getting more details courtesy of the show’s crew. Cast-wise, the show is set to look very different from everything that’s come before, with up-and-coming talent like Kerrice Brooks, Bella Shepard, George Hawkins, and others starring in main roles.

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Longtime Star Trek director Jonathan Frakes gave fans a Starfleet Academy update at the recent Indiana Comic Convention, and he also took the opportunity to clear the air on the upcoming show’s target demographic. Per the Sci-Fi & Fantasy Gazette, Frakes was asked about the show’s target audience during the Star Trek panel at the event, and he gave an unexpected response. “Oh it’s much more hardcore Star Trek fans,” Frakes responded. “It’s, you know, it happens to be [at] Starfleet Academy, there are young people in it, but the movie stars run the— it’s a show about…” That’s as far as Frakes got before he was cut off by fellow Star Trek: The Next Generation star Denise Crosby, who filled in the thought with “Movie stars in space” in a bid to stop Frakes from spoiling too much. Following the incident that saw Frakes accidentally give away a major plot point for Star Trek: Discovery ahead of its premiere, Crosby probably didn’t want to risk it.

Frakes’ comments here are certainly important for fans looking forward to the show. As he notes, the show being aimed at hardcore fans might seem counter-intuitive given its setting and cast, but it also makes sense when taking into account what the show is doing in the wider franchise. Geared towards more knowledgeable fans, Star Trek: Discovery recaptured the wild west feel of Star Trek: The Original Series with its time jump, and Starfleet Academy is set to explore that future further. It’s fair to say that there’s going to be some homework to do if you want to get the whole picture put out in Starfleet Academy.

It’s been confirmed that Starfleet Academy has already been renewed for a second season on Paramount+, which shows a massive amount of confidence behind the scenes that whatever target audience is being courted will respond positively to the show, and in large numbers. Fans (both casual and hardcore) will have to wait for the show’s premiere to come to their own conclusions about whether or not Starfleet Academy appeals to their particular level of engagement with the franchise. As for Frakes, he’ll have to really double down during public appearances to make sure he doesn’t give fans too much to go off of ahead of the show’s release.

The Star Trek Franchise is available to stream on Paramount+, with Star Trek: Starfleet Academy set for a late 2025/early 2026 release window.

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Source: Sci-Fi & Fantasy Gazette