Alex Kurtzman, executive producer of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, recently shed light on why the upcoming series is set in the far future, after the events of Star Trek: Discovery. In a recent interview with SFX Magazine, Kurtzman explained that the show's 32nd-century setting makes it more relevant for today's audiences and hinted at more Star Trek TV in development.
The key story point on Star Trek: Discovery was when the series jumped into the 32nd century in its third season to find the Federation and Starfleet decimated following the galactic catastrophe known as "The Burn." Captain Burnham and the crew of the USS Discovery helped bring an end to "The Burn," setting up a new era for Starfleet Academy to take place in. According to Kurtzman, the show synchronizes with the first two years of Starfleet returning to its full form.
The 32nd-century setting is crucial for the show's cadet characters, as Co-showrunner Noga Landau explained: "Because of the Burn, they didn’t grow up during a time of abundance, of peace, of stability. Instead it was a time of desperation for a lot of people, so we have characters who grew up in refugee camps, or who grew up on Starfleet ships but have never set foot on a planet." This era allows the show to reflect the array of global experiences of young folks, making it more relatable and relevant to modern audiences.
Kurtzman emphasized that Star Trek has always been a mirror reflecting the moment in which each series is made. The Federation's attempt to return to its roots and core tenets resonates with today's chaotic world: "The goal is to put Starfleet Academy in the 32nd century, where kids are inheriting a lot of damage and a lot of chaos, and it’s up to them to figure out how they’re going to make a brighter future out of it." This setting allows the show to tackle real-world issues while still maintaining its optimistic tone.
Landau also highlighted that the far-in-the-future setting will not ignore Star Trek's past: "We get to forge ahead in the canon. We’ve never gone this far into the future before in Star Trek as a franchise, so it really allows us to imagine and create." The show will celebrate its 1,000-year history while forging new paths.
Kurtzman has more exciting projects in the works, but remained tight-lipped about details: "There’s quite a few exciting things in the works right now, but I’m not going to say more than that!" The interview took place before the announcement of Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley developing a new Star Trek film.
Kurtzman reiterated his vision for different Trek shows: "My philosophy has always been that each show needs to be its own unique color in the same rainbow. They all need to tell their own unique story." This approach allows Star Trek to create limitless story engines, making it a beloved franchise with something for everyone.
Starfleet Academy's second season should wrap up production soon; the fifth and final season of Strange New Worlds has already finished production. The future of Trek TV remains an open question following Skydance's takeover of Paramount plus and their hoped-for takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery.
Get ready to dive into the world of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, premiering on January 15, 2026, with its two-episode series premiere.