Star Trek legend addresses criticism of divisive spin-off and says franchise is "under attack"

Star Trek legend Robert Picardo has opened up about the criticism levelled at the latest spin-off, Starfleet Academy, and has argued that the franchise and its values are "under attack".

Picardo reprised his role as the Doctor (who he last played in Voyager) for Starfleet Academy, which is set in Star Trek's far future, and follows a new group of Starfleet cadets, training under Holly Hunter's Nahla Ake.

While Starfleet Academy premiered to positive critic reviews, it was heavily review-bombed by audiences, leading to many conversations about the show's quality. Earlier this year, it was confirmed that season 2 will be its last season.

Speaking to TrekMovie about the criticism and cancellation, Picardo said: "Every Star Trek show was criticised in its first two or three seasons, and then took often till season 3 to get on track.

"And even though I think the quality of our show was great, we were kind of killed in the cradle, and I believe part of it is the present political moment in our culture that diversity, that all of Star Trek’s core values are now out of fashion temporarily."

He added: "We see diversity under attack, and therefore Star Trek is under attack because that’s what Star Trek’s always been about. So hopefully, whenever they create the next Star Trek movie and Star Trek show, they’ll remember what it was that made Star Trek special, and that present weather conditions in politics will change, and Star Trek once again will emerge with all of its values intact."

Starfleet Academy season 2 is set to arrive on Paramount+ in March 2027, with two incredible guest stars joining the fray - Bill Nighy will play Nyk, Nahla's estranged father, and Rosemarie DeWitt will play Laytha Sadal, the First Lady of Betazed, Tarima's (Zoë Steiner) mother.

Showrunner Noga Landau has previously said the show was intended to be a celebration of Star Trek history.

She explained to Radio Times: "There's so much texture and there are so many Easter eggs in there for fans of the canon, for people who've been waiting to see stuff with Deep Space Nine, with the Klingons, there's so much in there that's gonna feel really familiar too."

Star Trek: Starfleet Academy season 2 will arrive on Paramount+ in March 2027.

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Authors

Louise Griffin is the Sci-Fi & Fantasy Editor for Radio Times, covering everything from Doctor Who, Star Wars and Marvel to House of the Dragon and Good Omens. She previously worked at Metro as a Senior Entertainment Reporter and has a degree in English Literature.