Tig Notaro Returns as Commander Jett Reno in 'Star Trek: Starfleet Academy' Premiere

Paramount+ premiered the first two episodes of "Star Trek: Starfleet Academy" on January 15, 2026, at 12 a. m. Pacific Time, marking the return of the iconic franchise to the academy setting after over 120 years in its storyline. The series follows a new class of Starfleet cadets navigating friendships, rivalries, first loves, and threats to the Federation, under instructors including openly gay comedian Tig Notaro as Commander Jett Reno, previously an engineer from "Star Trek: Discovery".

In the premiere, Reno appears as a teacher and coach at the mobile Starfleet Academy, which doubles as the starship Athena. Notaro, who joked in an interview that her character represents "same Tig, different galaxy, "described the shift from engineer to instructor: "I always joke that I'm just Tig in space, but the reality is that I don't really like loud noises, so a whistle is out. I'm also a high school dropout, so I think my teaching skills might be terribly lacking. " She contrasted Reno's authoritative presence with her own "quiet and dry observations, "noting discomfort with sports equipment like a coach's whistle.

The series stars Oscar winner Holly Hunter as Chancellor Nahla Ake, a over 400-year-old part-Lanthanite captain who remembers the pre-calamity Federation era. Paul Giamatti plays villain Nus Braka, a criminal seeking payback against Ake, while Robert Picardo reprises his role as the 900-year-old Emergency Medical Hologram "The Doctor"from "Star Trek: Voyager". Cadets include Sandro Rosta as Caleb Mir, a rebellious student separated from his mother; George Hawkins as Darem Reymi; Kerrice Brooks; Karim Diané; Bella Shepard; and Zoë Steiner.

Guest stars feature comedian Gina Yashere as Thok, the first female Jem’Hadar warrior, who emphasized the show's inclusivity: "The message that I think that Starfleet Academy gives, is that in the future, it doesn't matter who you are. .. There's no discussion of whether it's another man or a woman or a transgender person. It's just relationships. And that's what I like, the inclusivity of the show. " Kerrice Brooks, playing a Kasqian cadet and sentient hologram SAM, shared a message for the LGBTQ+ community: "As a member of the community, I would say there's space for us everywhere. So don't ever be afraid to be yourself. Ever. .. Be you as loudly as possible. " Straight cast members echoed this; George Hawkins stated, "Everyone is loved. You are eternally, eternally loved, no matter who you are, "with Sandro Rosta adding, "Welcome! Take a seat. "

The premiere episode delivers action, including an attack by Giamatti's character, while probing Star Trek's core values like Federation unity versus potential colonialism. Notaro's Reno inspires in instructor scenes, calling out cadets effectively. Additional returns include Oded Fehr as Admiral Vance and Mary Wiseman as Sylvia Tilly. Produced by CBS Studios, the series had been renewed for season two prior to premiere. This debut reinforces "Star Trek"'s legacy of diverse representation, with LGBTQ+ cast and themes of acceptance resonating in its 32nd-century setting.