Star Trek: Discovery Continues In Starfleet Academy & Full Cast Revealed!

We didn't want to add this to the Robert Picardo news article like an epilogue to one of Tom Paris' holodeck adventures; this is equally important news. So, deactivate the EMH for a bit. Though one in particular might have been the best unkept secret in the history of television, the Star Trek: Universe panel at San Diego Comic Con 2024 spoilt us with yet more names of those set to attend, teach at, or perhaps just pop in to serve up some 'Seven of Limes,' at Starfleet Academy. In fact, with many a familiar face now added to the list, Star Trek: Starfleet Academy is very much continuing the line for Star Trek: Discovery.

At long last, it has been revealed that Mary Wiseman is officially part of Starfleet Academy in her role as (Lieutenant junior grade) Sylvia Tilly. Since Tilly was already teaching at the Academy (on and off) in Discovery's 4th and 5th seasons, and then long-time 'tenured' by the coda to Life, Itself, we were already expecting and hoping as much, but it's never official until it's 'Hall H' official.

Equally exciting, and perhaps a touch more surprising, was the announcement that Oded Fehr i.e. Dadmiral (of the Fleet and our hearts) Charles Vance will be joining the Academy cast alongside Tig Notaro as Commander Jett Reno. Reno has certainly, and hilariously, had every other job there is to have in the galaxy, so Academy instructor (of Engineering… and Mixology) won't be a stretch at all! As to whether we will see more names from the Disco crew as time goes on, we can only hope and speculate, but this is the most promising way to start!

You can't have the Academy without the cadets either (even the 'Nick Locarnos' for a bit)! We'd already been given five names in July this year for the latest to enter Boothby's hallowed grounds, but during the Starfleet Academy section of the SDCC panel, we also got to see a rather heartwarming "Welcoming the Cast" clip in which each of the young actors — Kerrice Brooks, Bella Shepard, George Hawkins, Karim Diané and Zoë Steiner — were told they had got the part by co-showrunners and executive producers Alex Kurtzman and Noga Landau.

Only a day before the shindigs in San Diego, we found out that award-winning British comedian and actress Gina Yashere would be joining the ranks as instructor. And before that, we'd had the news of yet more powerhouse casting the likes of Oscar winner Holly Hunter, joining as captain and Academy chancellor, and Oscar nominee Paul Giamatti as season one's 'big bad'. Combining all that back with The Doctor, and given that Tawny Newsome — of Beckett Mariner and all-round Star Trek encyclopaedia fame — is in the writers' room too, Starfleet Academy sure does have us excited to be going back to school! Phasers down, PADDs out, it's time for Astrotheory 101!