Star Trek has now officially decided the fate of its divisive new series, Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, after its upcoming season 2 release.
The series was first ordered by Paramount+ in 2023, and it was renewed for a second season even before the first had premiered. Season 1 premiered this past January 15 and concluded with its finale on March 12, and filming for the second season finished on February 14, though it doesn’t yet have an official release date.
Now, per Variety, Paramount+ has confirmed that Star Trek: Starfleet Academy will officially end after season 2. The series was renewed for season 2 ahead of its premiere on the streaming service, but will not be returning for season 3. CBS and Paramount+ shared a statement, while co-showrunners Alex Kurtzman and Noga Landau wrote a letter thanking everyone who worked on the show:
CBS and Paramount+: We’re incredibly proud of the ambition, passion, and creativity that went into bringing Star Trek: Starfleet Academy to life. The series introduced audiences to a bold new group of characters, welcomed familiar faces, and expanded the Star Trek universe in exciting new ways. We’re grateful to Alex Kurtzman, Noga Landau, Gaia Violo, and the entire cast and crew who pushed storytelling boundaries in the spirit of Gene Roddenberry’s vision. We look forward to sharing the upcoming second and final season with everyone, and continuing to celebrate the cast, crew, and all that was accomplished with this series.
Letter from Alex Kurtzman and Noga Landau: It’s been my and Noga’s joy and privilege to help carry Gene Roddenberry’s extraordinary vision forward with Starfleet Academy, thanks to the hundreds of hardworking humans who pour every ounce of their talents into the work daily with imagination and reverence. We are in post-production now on what will be the second and final season. We’re so proud of what we’ve accomplished together on this show, and the world will get to see the work of these extraordinary artists when season two airs. We will finish strong.
Whether you’re working on Star Trek or part of the marvel that is Star Trek fandom — its very heart, soul, and conscience —the joy comes from adventuring across boundaries of time, space, and the humanly possible in service to Roddenberry’s transformative vision of the future. That incomparable vision was fueled by an inexhaustible optimism. Star Trek places its bet on the best in human nature. It dares to imagine a society of “infinite diversity in infinite combinations,” free of war, hate, poverty, disease, and repression, and dedicated to the spirit of scientific inquiry and respect for all life, whether carbon or silicon-based, green-skinned or blue.
But make no mistake: Gene Roddenberry wasn’t some starry-eyed dreamer. He was a decorated Army bomber pilot in the Pacific Theater. He had seen first-hand the grim consequences of the worst of human nature. And his vision of the future wasn’t just a promise of hope. It was also a warning. In a fraught, frightening time of intolerance and violence, Star Trek said: Look! We made it! But just barely. First, we had to put all those ancient scourges behind us. It said that what makes us glorious as a species, and gives us hope for the future and the galaxy is inextricably linked to what makes us dangerous to each other, to this one world we presently inhabit, and to ourselves. That dual message—of hope and of warning—isn’t just a pretty dream but a call to action, to think about who we are in a different way.
Please don’t take our word for it. Take Gene’s:
“Star Trek was an attempt to say that humanity will reach maturity and wisdom on the day that it begins not just to tolerate, but take a special delight in differences in ideas and differences in life forms. […] If we cannot learn to actually enjoy those small differences, to take a positive delight in those small differences between our own kind, here on this planet, then we do not deserve to go out into space and meet the diversity that is almost certainly out there.”
With enduring hope that his vision of the future is possible, for our children, their children, and every future cadet in Starfleet Academy:
Live Long and Prosper.
Created by Gaia Violo, Star Trek: Starfleet Academy takes place after the events of Star Trek: Discovery in the 32nd century, following the first new class of cadets in more than a hundred years as they mature and prepare for service as officers.
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy‘s cast includes Sandro Rosta, Karim Diané, Kerrice Brooks, George Hawkins, Bella Shepard, Zoë Steiner, Holly Hunter, Paul Giamatti, Gina Yashere, Star Trek Voyager alum Robert Picardo, Discovery star Tig Notaro, and Tatiana Maslany appearing in a guest role.
Why Star Trek: Starfleet Academy Is Ending After 2 Seasons
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy is ending after only 2 seasons simply because it has struggled to attract a sizable audience. Throughout its 10-episode first season, it did not appear once on Nielsen’s Top 10 streaming viewership rankings. The series has also been quite divisive amongst fans, as it was reportedly hit with review bombing when it first premiered, resulting in a 51% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.
However, Star Trek: Starfleet Academy has received mostly positive reviews from critics, resulting in an 87% Rotten Tomatoes score from that group, who have praised it for blending a strong mix of youthful energy and comedy in the Star Trek universe, representing a refreshing tonal shift that shows the franchise still has plenty of untapped thematic ground to cover.
The Star Trek Franchise’s Future Explained
Though Starfleet Academy will end after its second season, there are two additional seasons of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds on the way. Its fourth season is slated to arrive later this year, and a fifth, which will be the final installment, has already wrapped production. Meanwhile, the animated kids series Star Trek: Scouts is currently streaming on YouTube.
Beyond these projects, the franchise’s long-term direction is unclear. As of now, no new shows have been officially announced to replace Star Trek: Starfleet Academy. Still, Paramount reportedly remains strongly committed to the franchise, with a new feature film presently in the works.
- Release Date
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January 15, 2026
- Network
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Paramount+
- Showrunner
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Alex Kurtzman, Noga Landau
