Jonathan Frakes Reveals Why Star Trek’s Next Show Includes A Classic Sci-Fi Trope

Star Trek: Starfleet Academy's new starship is explained by legendary director Jonathan Frakes. Executive produced by Alex Kurtzman and Noga Laundau, Star Trek: Starfleet Academy premieres in early 2026 on Paramount+. Set in the 32nd century, Starfleet Academy stars a new generation of Starfleet hopefuls overseen by Academy Award-winner Holly Hunter as Captain Nahla Ake.

Star Trek: Starfleet Academy's first teaser trailer was unveiled at San Diego Comic-Con, which featured a startling sight: Starfleet Academy not only has its own starship, the USS Athena, but the ship and the Academy are one and the same.

TrekMovie reported from STLV: Trek to Vegas, where Jonathan Frakes explained why Star Trek: Starfleet Academy has its own starship. Jonathan paraphrased Alex Kurtzman about the rationale behind Starfleet Academy's USS Athena. Read Frakes' quote below:

“Anybody who follows Star Trek knows that Starfleet Academy has been talked about as a Star Trek project from The Original Series days, all the way back. And [co-creator Alex] Kurtzman in San Diego wisely said everybody was worried about watching a show about kids in the classroom. Nobody wanted that. So we built a ship. The ship is actually part of the show, like it was on our show, and all the good Star Treks.”

What Starfleet Academy's Starship Means For Star Trek's Next Show

Alex Kurtzman's fears of audiences thinking Star Trek: Starfleet Academy would be "a show about kids in the classroom" was motivation to think outside the box. Star Trek just wouldn't be Star Trek without a starship, and Starfleet Academy's innovation of the USS Athena doubling as Starfleet Academy is an ingenious idea that Star Trek hasn't done before.

Star Trek: Starfleet Academy brings the school back to its original San Francisco location, but the USS Athena creates a best of both worlds scenario. Starfleet Academy can be Earthbound, if need be, and the school can then literally launch into outer space for missions, likely involving Paul Giamatti's half-Klingon/half-Tellarite villain, Nus Braka.

Our Take On Star Trek: Starfleet Academy's Starship

I'm excited to see the USS Athena in action, both as a starship and as the actual Starfleet Academy facility. Among Starfleet Academy's cast of young cadets who will presumably serve aboard the USS Athena, Captain Nahla Ake is also joined by her half-Klingon/half-Jem'Hadar First Officer, Lura Thok (Gina Yashere), and Star Trek legacy characters like The Doctor (Robert Picardo).

Jonathan Frakes directed the first half of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy season 1's finale, and he confirmed at STLV that he will return to direct Starfleet Academy season 2, which begins filming in the fall of 2025. With the USS Athena pulling double duty as a starship and as Starfleet Academy itself, Star Trek: Starfleet Academy brings something brand-new fans have never seen before.