New Star Trek: A Guide for First-Time Fans
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy is shaping up to be a great entry point for newcomers to the Star Trek universe. With so many different series and movies in the franchise, it can be intimidating for someone who has never seen any Star Trek before to know where to start.
The new series is set in the 32nd century, almost a thousand years after most of the other shows. The Federation is still recovering from “the Burn,” a catastrophic event that caused havoc across the galaxy. Starfleet Academy is now training a new class of cadets to help rebuild and make a difference in this changed universe.
One of the exciting things about Starfleet Academy is that it is designed to be accessible to both longtime fans of Star Trek and newcomers alike. Showrunner Kristen Beyer wants everyone to feel welcome in this new chapter of the Star Trek saga. She believes that you shouldn’t have to be a Star Trek expert to enjoy the show, but if you are a fan, you’ll still find plenty to love and recognize.
In a similar vein to the Star Wars series Andor, knowledge of the entire Star Trek canon isn’t necessary to enjoy Starfleet Academy. The series is set 800 years after the events of Star Trek: Picard, leaving plenty of room for new stories and adventures without getting bogged down in explaining every detail of past events.
With an incredible cast, including Oscar winner Holly Hunter and the talented Robert Picardo reprising his role as the holographic Doctor, Star Trek: Starfleet Academy promises to be a fresh and exciting addition to the Star Trek universe. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or someone who has never seen Star Trek before, this series is sure to entertain and captivate audiences when it premieres on Paramount+ in 2026.
