"Continuing part of the history"- How Star Trek: Starfleet Academy will approach connections to years of sci-fi lore, explained by writer 

Ahead of the 2026 premiere of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, writer Kristen Beyer revealed how it will balance the 800 years of the sci-fi lore.

During the STLV: Trek to Vegas convention, Beyer assured that both old and new fans would be able to relate to the new phase. She said,

"Definitely, the operating instructions are that you should not have to have ever seen Star Trek to be able to step into Academy and enjoy it. That said, if you have seen a lot of Star Trek, you should also very much recognize it as a continuing part of the history and tradition that you are familiar with."

Continue reading to know more.

Will Star Trek: Starfleet Academy balance canon for both new and old fans?

Star Trek: Starfleet Academy is set in the distant future- specifically, the late 32nd century, which positions it several centuries (around 800 years or so) beyond the era depicted in Star Trek: The Next Generation, Lower Decks, and Deep Space Nine.

Talking about this timeline jump, Alex Kurtzman revealed to the LA Times,

"My thinking was, if we set “Starfleet Academy” in the halcyon days of the Federation where everything was fine, it’s not going to speak to what kids are going through right now. It’ll be a nice fantasy, but it’s not really going to be authentic. What’ll be authentic is to set it in the timeline where this is the first class back after over 100 years, and they are coming into a world that is only beginning to recover from a cataclysm — which was the Burn, as established on “Star Trek: Discovery,” where the Federation was greatly diminished."

During the convention, Beyer clarified that both longtime viewers and newbies should be able to enjoy Star Trek: Starfleet Academy. Every new episode could, in theory, reference thousands of past stories. But Beyer insisted that the series won't weigh itself down with encyclopedic detail.

For a franchise so filled with facts and events, it is difficult for longtime fans to recall what happened in the past. However, Beyer said that they have approached the plot in a way that both the old and new fans could enjoy. While discussing the plot, Beyer used the example of a book to explain her point,

"Because a book could be written on any of a million subjects. So it’s the trick of making it feel like it’s part of the same universe and also breaking all of this new ground."

The timeline jump offers creative freedom, and it was necessary to portray the change. Similarly, it is also time to attract the new generation of viewers to the canon, and for a franchise running for over sixty years, it is a bit difficult. Thus, Star Trek: Starfleet Academy tries to weave a newer plot that could be enjoyed by first-time viewers.

Set in the 32nd century, Star Trek: Starfleet Academy follows a new class of cadets training to become Starfleet officers. While most of the cast will be fresh faces, the series brings back some familiar faces, too. For instance, Robert Picardo's Doctor from Voyager provides a bridge across centuries. Additionally, there will also be references to pivotal characters from the past.

With new cadets, an evolved world, and technology, Starfleet Academy is set to continue with the Star Trek franchise with a fresh twist.

Also read: Star Trek: Voyager star Robert Picardo has nothing but praise for the new Star Trek: Starfleet Academy series

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