Star Trek: Starfleet Academy Wraps Filming on Season 2 — What Comes Next for Paramount+’s Franchise?
The Star Trek universe faces a pivotal moment as actors from Star Trek: Starfleet Academy confirm that season 2 has finished filming. With only two Star Trek series remaining on Paramount+, this latest wrap marks not just another milestone, but potentially the conclusion of a remarkable era overseen by executive producer Alex Kurtzman and Secret Hideout. Since the expansion of Star Trek TV in the streaming age, Kurtzman’s creative vision has shaped every Trek series, including Discovery, Picard, and Strange New Worlds, breathing fresh energy into classic lore and opening new doors to interstellar storytelling.
The End of an Era for Paramount+ and Star Trek
Behind the scenes, the wrap comes with hefty implications. As the final days of shooting were shared on Instagram by cast members like Kerrice Brooks (SAM), Gina Yashere (Commander Lura Thok), and Karim Diané (Jay-Den Kraag), fans are becoming increasingly aware that the future of Trek, and even the involvement of Kurtzman, is now under question. Following the acquisition of Paramount Global by Skydance Media, the direction of Star Trek on streaming hangs in the balance—decisions on renewals and creative leadership could reshape the franchise.
Uncertainty for Starfleet Academy’s Future — Will There Be More?
As Star Trek: Starfleet Academy approaches its season 1 finale with just a handful of episodes left, its immediate popularity among younger viewers is difficult to ignore. While it hasn’t broken into the top of the Nielsen Streaming charts like earlier series, it boasts significant traction on platforms such as TikTok and Instagram, directly engaging a new generation of Trek fans. Episodes have even managed to claim the number one spot on Paramount+ when fresh content drops—a strong signal of growth, if not a guarantee of longevity.
Kurtzman’s ambition for the series has always been to depict a full four-year cadet journey, bringing audiences through the complete experience of Starfleet Academy life—an arc that resonates with college dramas and the coming-of-age tradition in genre storytelling. However, with a season 3 renewal yet to be confirmed, and his contract reportedly set to conclude at the end of 2026, all eyes are on whether the new leadership will continue his vision or pivot in a different direction.
What Lies Ahead: Cast, Episodes, and the Star Trek Timeline
For now, fans can anticipate a total of 13 more episodes of Starfleet Academy, alongside 16 yet-to-be-released episodes of Strange New Worlds across its upcoming seasons. Alex Kurtzman himself directed the season 2 finale of Starfleet Academy, underscoring his personal investment as the show careens toward potentially pivotal narrative territory. Names like Caleb Mir (Sandro Rosta), Jay-Den Kraag, SAM, Genesis Lythe (Bella Shepard), Darem Reymi (George Hawkins), Tarima Sadal (Zoë Steiner), and Ocam Sadal (Romeo Carere) continue to drive the series’ focus on diverse, aspirational Starfleet hopefuls.
With the current landscape shifting rapidly—driven by acquisitions, evolving streaming strategies, and changing audience habits—nothing is written in stone. What’s clear is that Star Trek: Starfleet Academy has captured a unique moment for the franchise, blending nostalgia and forward-looking charm. Whether Skydance and Paramount decide to extend its journey will say much about the future appetite for serialized Star Trek on streaming platforms, and for the creative stewardship it has enjoyed for nearly a decade.
The journey through the stars is always filled with uncertainty, but for fans and newcomers alike, the ride continues to promise bold storytelling, representation, and fresh takes on a universe full of possibility.
