Starfleet Academy Season 2: Latest Updates, Release Rumors, and What Could Happen Next

Alright, let’s talk about the wild saga that is Star Trek: Starfleet Academy. This show isn’t even a year old, and it’s already gotten renewed for Season 2—meaning Paramount+ pulled the trigger way back in October 2024, before a single episode had premiered. Yes, that’s right. They greenlit another season off the strength of… what, optimism? Bravery? Who knows.

What’s the Deal with Starfleet Academy?

Star Trek: Starfleet Academy is the latest attempt to boldly go where every streaming service seems to be going: more ‘Trek’, more drama, all in the sprawling sci-fi universe. We’re in the 32nd century now (that’s after “Discovery,” if you’re still keeping track), the show’s run by Alex Kurtzman and Noga Landau, and the whole thing takes place—surprise—at Starfleet Academy. Season 1 landed on January 15, 2026, with ten episodes of cadet drama and future tech shenanigans.

Strangely enough, the creators aren’t thinking short-term. Kurtzman and Landau have actually mapped out a four-season story arc—one season for each year at the Academy. Classic campus story logic, except, you know, with phasers and warp drives.

The ‘Four-Year Plan’ (And Why the Show Might Never Graduate)

• Renewal: Season 2 confirmed in October 2024, a full year and a half before Season 1 hit the screen.
• Premiere: January 15, 2026, on Paramount+ in the US.
• Structure: 10 episodes in Season 1; each season equals one year at the Academy.
• World: Set in the 32nd century, post-‘Discovery’.
• Long game: The showrunners say every new season could bring in a fresh group of cadets. In theory, this show could just keep going forever—even after this original group graduates and heads into the field.

Controversy: Critic Darlings, Fan Headaches

Okay, here’s where things get a little messy—the critics are loving this thing (we’re talking 87% on Rotten Tomatoes). But if you look over at IMDb, it’s sitting at a sad 4.7 out of 10. Scroll through Reddit and it’s the usual: some people love it, others consider it an affront to the very concept of oxygen.

There’s also been some unexpected, very public drama. Remember that bizarre spat between William Shatner and Stephen Miller? No? Don’t worry—it’s only added fuel to the show’s already thriving controversy machine.

So, Will There Be More?

On paper, things still look good for the show. Season 2 is basically finished filming, they’ve got big plans for more ‘years’ at the Academy, and Starfleet Academy is making a surprisingly strong showing on Amazon Channels (it was ranked #2 as of Jan 20, 2026). However, it’s noticeably absent from the Paramount+ Top 10—never a great sign when you’re the service’s supposed flagship.

Then there are the rumors (unconfirmed, but loud) that Skydance isn’t exactly thrilled. Fans are split, the metrics are weird, and everyone’s guessing what Paramount will do if the show doesn’t stick the landing.

'As far as the longevity of the show, I think what’s so great is that you’re going to have a new class every year. So… the show could go on forever, not just with the characters you meet now and following them in the first four years, but also seeing what happens to them out in the field once they actually deploy.' — Alex Kurtzman, just dreaming out loud.

The bottom line here: Star Trek: Starfleet Academy is officially in Season 2 production, aiming to wrap up by February 2026. Nobody’s pulling the plug yet, but with numbers all over the map and a mixed-up fanbase, its future might depend on how well it holds up on streaming.

Agree? Disagree? Think it’s the next ‘Next Generation’ or prime candidate for the Kobayashi Maru? Let’s hear it in the comments.

Right now, the show’s streaming on Paramount+—if you’re in the US and feeling curious.