Stephen Colbert’s Next Job at Paramount: What to Expect

As the chapter of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert comes to a close this May, fans of the sharp-tongued, quick-witted host may be wondering what’s next for him. But fear not, Stephen Colbert isn’t disappearing from our screens just yet. While he may not be jumping into another talk show right away, he has some exciting projects in the works.

In August 2025, news broke that Colbert would be making a guest appearance in the hit CBS drama Elsbeth for its third season. Playing a fictional late-night talk show host in an episode that has already aired, you can catch him on Paramount+. But that’s not all – Colbert surprised fans at New York Comic Con by revealing his involvement in the upcoming Paramount+ series Star Trek: Starfleet Academy. Yes, you read that correctly – Stephen Colbert is entering the Star Trek universe!

Set in the 32nd century, Star Trek: Starfleet Academy follows a new generation of cadets training to become Starfleet officers. Premiering on Paramount+ on Jan. 15, 2026, with new episodes streaming on Thursdays and the finale scheduled for March 12, the series features Colbert as the voice of the Digital Dean of Students at Starfleet Academy. While you won’t see him on screen in the traditional sense, his character plays a vital role in delivering daily announcements and important alerts to the cadets.

Joining Colbert in the cast are familiar names like Holly Hunter, Sandro Rosta, Karim Diané, Kerrice Brooks, George Hawkins, Bella Shepard, Zoë Steiner, Robert Picardo, Tig Notaro, and Oded Fehr. Along with the casting announcement, an official trailer for Star Trek: Starfleet Academy was revealed during New York Comic Con, building even more excitement for Colbert’s new role in the sci-fi series. Exciting things are on the horizon for this beloved late-night host as he ventures into uncharted territory within the Paramount family that has supported him for a decade.