Divisive Star Trek Series' Season 2 Return Includes Major Genre Change

Image credit: Paramount+ Published Jul 30, 2026, 7:00 AM EDT John Orquiola is a New & Classic TV Editor, Senior Writer, and Interviewer with a special focus on Star Trek. John has over 5,000 published articles at SR, and he has interviewed the biggest names in Star Trek on the red carpet and VIP events, among other beloved shows, movies, and franchises. Sign in to your ScreenRant account Robert Picardo teases that Star Trek: Starfleet Academy season 2 will contain an episode with a major genre change perfectly suited to The Doctor and Jay-Den Kraag (Karim Diané). Star Trek: Starfleet Academy will return for its second and final season on Paramount+. In season 1, The Doctor evolved further as the 800-year-old Emergency Medical Hologram faced his regrets and trauma from Star Trek: Voyager and became the parent of Series Acclimation Mil AKA Sam (Kerrice Brooks). Meanwhile, Jay-Den Kraag pursued his own path to becoming a Klingon warrior who prizes being a healer over glory in battle. ScreenRant caught up with Robert Picardo at San Diego Comic-Con's press line for Star Trek's 60th anniversary celebration. Regarding what's next for The Doctor, Picardo reveals that Star Trek: Starfleet Academy will not only get "even better" in season 2, but will also team up The Doctor and Jay-Den Kraag in "a big medical disaster thriller," which is the first time the series will tackle that genre. Read Bob's quote below: Robert Picardo: “I think the show gets even better. And I develop Karim Diané’s character. He plays the Klingon character. He wants to be a healer and not a warrior, which distinguishes him from most Klingons... We develop a very close mentoring relationship. We have a big medical thriller, a big medical disaster thriller that’s very exciting and very well shot. And he and I have quite a bit to do together in that.” The Doctor and Jay-Den Kraag had limited interaction in Star Trek: Starfleet Academy season 1. For most of the season, The Doctor kept his distance and refused to emotionally connect with the cadets. Meanwhile, Jay-Den forged friendships, especially with Caleb Mir (Sandro Rosta) and Darem Reymi (George Hawkins) while sparking a relationship with Kyle Jokovich (Dale Whibley). Robert Picardo's update comes on the heels of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy announcing a new cadet joining season 2's cast. British actor Ruaridh Aldington will play Keats, a rebellious alien recuit to the Academy who is also a wanted man with a mysterious background. How Keats will fit into Starfleet Academy's friend group in sophomore year remains to be seen. Picardo was, understandably, very disappointed that Paramount+ canceled Star Trek: Starfleet Academy. Bob previously shared his pitch for season 3 that would see The Doctor meet his doppelgänger hologram from the Star Trek: Voyager episode "Living Witness," and would resolve the EMHs' feelings about their creator, Dr. Lewis Zimmerman. Alas, that intriguing story won't happen now. Exciting updates about Star Trek: Starfleet Academy season 2 are tempered by the unfairness that the series was cut off at its halfway point. Star Trek: Starfleet Academy was unable to find a wide audience, but it was also targeted by online hate groups accusing it of being "woke." Jay-Den working with The Doctor is logical since the Klingon seeks to become a healer. Star Trek: Starfleet Academy saved this team-up for season 2, and we can't wait to see what their "big medical disaster thriller" will entail. Star Trek: Starfleet Academy season 2 is expected to premiere in 2027 on Paramount+. Release Date 2026 - 2027-00-00 Network Paramount+ Showrunner Alex Kurtzman, Noga Landau Directors Douglas Aarniokoski, Alex Kurtzman, Andi Armaganian, Larry Teng Writers Gaia Violo, Alex Taub, Jane Maggs, Tawny Newsome, Kirsten Beyer, Kiley Rossetter, Eric Anthony Glover Franchise(s) Star Trek Creator(s) Gaia Violo, Alex Kurtzman, Noga Landau