Jonathan Frakes explains classic Sci-Fi trope in new Star Trek

Legendary director Jonathan Frakes opens up about Star Trek: Starfleet Academy’s new starship, breaking down a classic sci-fi trope set to appear in the upcoming series.

Star Trek: Starfleet Academy premieres in early 2026 on Paramount+, executive-produced by Alex Kurtzman and Noga Landau.

Set in the 32nd century, the series follows a new class of Starfleet cadets under the command of Oscar-winner Holly Hunter as Captain Nahla Ake.

When the first teaser trailer debuted at San Diego Comic-Con, fans were stunned to see Starfleet Academy’s own starship, the USS Athena, an academy and starship rolled into one.

Explaining the decision, Frakes paraphrased Kurtzman’s vision for the USS Athena:

“Anybody who follows Star Trek knows that Starfleet Academy has been talked about as a project since The Original Series days,” he said. “And [co-creator Alex] Kurtzman in San Diego wisely said everybody was worried about watching a show about kids in the classroom.”

Frakes added that, since no one wanted that, they gave the cadets a ship of their own.

“The ship is actually part of the show, like it was on our show, and on all the good Star Treks,” Frakes concluded.

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