10 Legacy Characters that Could Appear in Star Trek: Starfleet Academy (2024)

Star Trek is one of the most popular science fiction franchises in entertainment history. Starting in 1966, when Star Trek: The Original Series (TOS) premiered, this show earned the attention of everyone who saw space as the final frontier. Since TOS, five additional series have been created, starting with Star Trek: The Animated Series in 1973 and ending with Star Trek: Enterprise, which aired the final episode in 2005. There was a long gap of 12 years with no Star Trek series until production company Paramount brought about a new golden age of Star Trek TV franchises with Star Trek: Discovery in 2017. On Paramount+, Trekkies have so far been treated to six different series. The excitement continues with a new seventh series, Star Trek: Starfleet Academy (SA), beginning production and is due to premiere in 2026.

Starfleet Academy occurs in the 32nd century, when Discovery left off. This series will depict the first class of cadets in over a century. Taking place in San Francisco at Starfleet Command headquarters, these cadets will have to learn what it means to create a future of hope and optimism while learning all the basics in their classes. New characters have already been announced, such as Holly Hunter as captain and Starfleet Academy chancellor to Robert Picardo returning as The Doctor to the new cadets. But there is also an open door for Star Trek legacy actors to return to their well-known character roles. From Captain Benjamin Sisko to Wesley Crusher, many characters could realistically return to come face to face with the cadets at Starfleet Academy.

10 Captain Benjamin Sisko Could Return from the Wormhole

One of Star Trek's Most Revered Captains Would Add a Twist

Captain Benjamin Sisko (played by Avery Brooks) was tasked with running the former Cardassian starbase on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (DS9). He is mainly remembered as being the one captain in Starfleet history who became a religious icon. He was chosen by the Bajoran Prophets (or wormhole aliens) as an emissary. Throughout the seven seasons of this series, Capt. Sisko battled with his connection to the Prophets. In the series finale, he gives up his human life aboard Deep Space Nine to continue as a celestial being, existing with the Prophets in the Bajoran wormhole and becoming a spiritual leader for that race. Starfleet Academy could create an exciting point for Captain Sisko to make a long, anxiously-awaited return for Trekkies.

Since he has become immortal by accepting his fate with the Bajoran Prophets, Captain Sisko is given glimpses into different time periods. If there is a danger that the Prophets believe to be catastrophic, they could thrust him into the appropriate time frame to make things right. In this case, he could possibly come across this class of cadets in the 32nd century on a training exercise on a planet and help them destroy an alien with an evil plan. With the epic nature of the character of Captain Sisko, this could have the gravitas of being a multi-episode story. Many fans would be excited to see Brooks return to this character one more time.

9 Symbiont Dax Could Teach Cadets Valuable Lessons

One of the Longest Living Species Has Much to Impart

Fans were initially introduced to the idea of the Trills and their symbionts back on Star Trek: The Next Generation's "The Host" (Season 4, Episode 23). But fans will remember one particular symbiont the most, Dax, thanks to its incorporation with the most famous Trill host, Jadzia (played by Terry Farrell), from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Most accurately known as Jadzia Dax (the host's name always comes first, then the symbiont's name), Jadzia stayed with this host for six seasons until actor Terry Farrell left the show. After that, Dax was incorporated with new Trill host Ezri (played by Nichole de Boer) until the series ended in the following seventh season.

Since the end of Deep Space Nine, not much is known about Dax in TV's Star Trek canon. Trill symbionts can live thousands of years as long as they are appropriately transferred to new Trill hosts when the current one dies. With the many lifespans of experience to share, it could be possible to have Dax appear on campus as either a permanent or visiting professor in a new Trill host body. Showrunners could even shake things up a bit and bring back original actress Terry Farrell to play another Trill host. She could be a descendant of Jadzia's family, who resembles her. This would be a legacy character return that fans would not be expecting.

8 Q Could Return to Cause More Mischief

The Universe's Immortal Joker Can Wreak Havoc

See Also

Avengers 5 Doomsday Cast: Every MCU Character Confirmed & Likely to AppearTime-Traveling Whiskey: Divers harvest extinct rye from Great Lakes' shipwreckBurned Out on the News? Watch These Texas Critters Frolic Instead40 Best Stops Between Nashville and Clermont

When Star Trek: The Next Generation (TNG) first premiered, viewers were introduced to the universe's king of mayhem, simply known as Q (played by John de Lancie). One of an eternal species also called the Q, who kept coming back to cause headaches for other captains, including Captain Jean Luc Picard (played by Patrick Stewart). Q's primary purpose was to test humanity and ensure they were ready to venture into space and explore its deepest reaches. The last time fans saw Q was in the series finale of Star Trek: Picard when he teased Picard's son, Jack Crusher (played by Ed Speleers), that his trial had just begun since Picard's had just ended.

Even though it has been announced that the initial villain of Starfleet Academy will be an as-of-yet unmentioned character played by Paul Giamatti, that doesn't mean he's not the only one who could rain on the cadets' parade. This series has yet to air but has already been renewed for at least a second season. That being said, it would be interesting to see Q return during the second season to bring devastation to the academy. As an immortal being that can travel through space and time at a moment's notice, Q could easily pop into the 32nd century San Francisco (or anywhere else if the cadets are on an away mission) and expose them to all sorts of dangers. Even though de Lancie had just returned in 2023 on Picard, it would be fun to see him again so soon on Starfleet Academy, portraying his most famous science fiction character.

7 Guinan Could Listen to the Cadets

Most Mysterious Listener May Give Sage Advice

One of the most cryptic characters in the Star Trek universe is Guinan (played by Whoopi Goldberg). Guinan first appeared in Star Trek: The Next Generation in its second season. Some even argue that her appearance helped save the series. She is part of a race of beings called El-Aurians who can live for many centuries and can also listen to others in much more profound ways than other species. As a result, she can give very sage advice. She is a close personal friend of Admiral Jean-Luc Picard and was last seen on Star Trek: Picard.

Given her race's extraordinarily long lifespan, it would be possible to bring Guinan back to Starfleet Academy. With her many years of experience tending bar, along with most cadets in their 20s, viewers could one day find Guinan working at a bar near the academy. This could be an episode where one or a few cadets are experiencing a personal moral crisis, and they turn to Guinan to hear them out and offer wisdom on how to improve their situation. Having Goldberg come back one more time to reprise this unique role that she loves so dearly would be a dream come true for fans.

6 Wesley Crusher Could Get the Cadets Out of a Tight Spot

Ensign Turned Traveler May Save the Day

Wesley Crusher (played by Wil Wheaton) is unique in that many Trekkies initially disliked him, but he has since become another fan favorite. Wesley originally appeared in Star Trek: The Next Generation. He was brought aboard as the son of the Enterprise's Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Beverly Crusher (played by Gates McFadden). While aboard the ship, he was given the rank of acting ensign until he was promoted to full ensign before going off to Starfleet Academy. He eventually discovered he had talents beyond most humans and became a Traveler: a person who can control space, time, and reality with their mental abilities. Viewers saw him again with a quick cameo appearance in Picard, then most recently helping out the Protostar crew on Star Trek: Prodigy.

Wesley already showed how his ability to control space, time, and reality was beneficial in Star Trek: Prodigy. He did his best to help the child crew of the Protostar to save Vice Admiral Janeway and Captain Chakotay. It's definitely within the realm of possibilities that Wesley could show up in Starfleet Academy's 32nd century to help the new class of cadets. It could be an exciting episode where they are not only trying to avoid danger from some evil alien character, but Wesley could also have some tender moments with some cadets where he imparts knowledge he gained, not just as a Traveler but also as an ensign and cadet himself. Wil Wheaton has proven that he has the acting chops both on screen and with his voice to get viewers invested in the episodes he shows up in.

5 Hologram Janeway Could Guide the Cadets

Students May Engage with an Artificial Being

Most fans of Star Trek are familiar with the character of Captain Kathryn Janeway (played by Kate Mulgrew) on the show Star Trek: Voyager. She led her crew aboard the Voyager to find their way home when they were whisked into the delta quadrant against their will by an alien known as the Caretaker. Five years later, a group of young misfits finds a long-lost Starfleet ship called the USS Protostar. Once aboard, they activate a hologram of Janeway (voiced by Mulgrew). This program ends up helping the children, who become the ship's new crew, to figure out answers to all the problems they encounter.

As a hologram, this version of Janeway has the potential to live forever. This is precisely the same situation as that of the permanent Starfleet Academy character, The Doctor (played by Robert Picardo). The difference here is that, since Starfleet Academy is a live-action TV series, this would mean bringing Kate Mulgrew back in front of the camera to play the hologram version of her famous captain character. The showrunners could instead have a purely CGI version of Hologram Janeway if they brought this character to the show. Hologram Janeway could be incorporated into the computer of a ship that the cadets use for training, and it could be possible for viewers to see her guide the students the same way she helped out the Protostar crew in Prodigy.

4 Ambassador Saru Could Guide in Species Relations

The Kelpien May Enlighten the Cadets' Minds

In Star Trek: Discovery, fans were introduced to a new character, Saru (played by Doug Jones). He is a male Kelpien, a new race from a planet called Kaminar that was introduced into the Star Trek universe on Discovery. He was part of the ship's crew when they jumped into the 32nd century to escape an evil program called Control. When Discovery ended, Saru was appointed ambassador of his home planet. He also ends up in a relationship with President T'Rina (played by Tara Rosling) from the planet of Ni'Var (formerly known as Vulcan).

Saru could be a visiting professor or mentor to one of the cadets in Starfleet Academy. In an academic role, he could teach diplomatic relations to the students. Being the first Kelpien to escape his planet and also the first to become a part of Starfleet, and due to his command rankings on Discovery, he has plenty of experience as both the species being encountered for the first time and encountering new species himself. He might also help a cadet on the show who is part of a new species enrolled in the academy learn what it takes to take on this significant responsibility.

3 Captain Michael Burnham Could Lead Cadets on a Mission

Leadership Can Provide a Crucial Life Lesson

Captain Michael Burnham (played by Sonequa Martin-Green) in Star Trek: Discovery is one of the most memorable captains in recent Star Trek history. In the five seasons of this show, we saw Burnham go from a prisoner on the Discovery to a science specialist to eventual captain. Her progress was fast, but she also learned a lot and became very close friends with Saru and Starfleet Academy teacher Sylvia Tilly (played by Mary Wiseman). As Captain of the Discovery, she completed many dangerous and vital missions to help save Federation headquarters in the 32nd century and keep the Progenitor's technology from falling into the wrong hands.

Just as Ambassador Saru could very easily be placed into a story in Starfleet Academy, the same could be said of Captain Burnham. Since she is close friends with Professor Tilly, it would be interesting if Burnham was to recruit Tilly to go on a mission with her for Starfleet. Tilly could, in turn, draft some of her students who she feels could learn a lot by going on a mission with them. This might be an episode where the cadets learn a harsh lesson about what it's like to be in a command position for Starfleet. It could even include a point in the story where a cadet must make a life-or-death decision based on advice learned from Captain Burnham. She is also a character that could come back repeatedly due to her popularity among Trekkies.

2 Pelia Could Teach Engineering

Almost Immortal Lanthanite Might Give Age-Old Lessons

In Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (SNW) Season 2, the audience was introduced to another new species and a new character. When the Enterprise needed a new chief engineer, Lanthanite Pelia (played by Carol Kane) was transferred over to the ship. Lanthanites are a nearly immortal species, able to live for thousands of years. Pelia lived on Earth from as early as the 6th century BC until the 23rd century. Most of her knowledge lies in technology and engineering, which is why she came aboard as the new chief engineer. She has a bit of a harsh demeanor while still being maternal to those who she encounters. Because of her long lifespan, she also has seemingly endless knowledge to share.

Even though classic actor Carol Kane faced some hurdles when entering the Star Trek universe, she could allow Pelia to shine bright in Starfleet Academy. Because of Pelia's extensive knowledge of everything in the subject of engineering and because she is a former academy instructor, it wouldn't be a surprise to see her leading an engineering course in this series. Having Kane in a guest appearance, even just for one episode, would be a treat for Trekkies. Fans could see her in her more academic persona while teaching cadets the ins and outs of maintaining a starship.

1 Dr. Kovich Could Recruit for a Secret Mission

Former Temporal Agent May Ask for Help

One of the significant story shockers in the entire Star Trek: Discovery series was the true identity of Dr. Kovich (played by David Cronenberg). Dr. Kovich first appeared to the Discovery crew in Season 3 when they arrived in the 32nd century. He was always this enigma who constantly kept a mystery surrounding him of his true identity. It wasn't until the series finale that the audience learned that he was actually Temporal Agent Daniels (originally played by Matt Winston on Star Trek: Enterprise). As a temporal agent, Dr. Kovich can travel to different points in time as needed.

With Dr. Kovich's true identity now known to viewers, this opens up a whole new world of possibilities for this character. Because Starfleet Academy takes place in the same time period as Kovich's most recent appearance, it would be very easy for showrunners to create a story for him. He could show up in an episode where he hands the academy chancellor information about a mission in which she recruits Tilly and some cadets to join her. Because Kovich is a temporal agent, viewers could see a story where time is a big theme, with the characters even possibly going to the 21st century Earth to save it from being skewed off the correct timeline. When it comes to temporal mechanics, anything is possible, and Kovich could add his aura of enigma to it.

Star Trek

The Star Trek universe encompasses multiple series, each offering a unique lens through which to experience the wonders and perils of space travel. Join Captain Kirk and his crew on the Original Series' voyages of discovery, encounter the utopian vision of the Federation in The Next Generation, or delve into the darker corners of galactic politics in Deep Space Nine. No matter your preference, there's a Star Trek adventure waiting to ignite your imagination.

Created by

Gene Roddenberry

First Film

Star Trek: The Motion Picture

Latest Film

Star Trek: Nemesis

First TV Show

Star Trek: The Original Series

Latest TV Show

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds

Cast

William Shatner , Leonard Nimoy , Deforest Kelley , James Doohan , Nichelle Nichols , Patrick Stewart , Jonathan Frakes , Avery Brooks , Kate Mulgrew , Scott Bakula

TV Show(s)

Star trek , Star Trek: Picard , Star Trek: Voyager , Star Trek: Prodigy , Star Trek: Animated , Star Trek: Discovery , Star Trek Lower Decks , Star Trek: Enterprise , Star Trek: Deep Space Nine , Star Trek: Strange New Worlds , Star Trek: Lower Decks