Star Trek has always been about its characters. From Kirk's boldness to Picard's wisdom to Burnham's determination, the franchise's greatest strength is creating people we want to spend time with.
Starfleet Academy continues this tradition with a diverse ensemble of cadets navigating their first year at the galaxy's most prestigious institution. Here's your guide to everyone you need to know.
Sidra - The Outsider
Species: Aurelian (new to Trek canon) Track: Command Defining trait: Determination bordering on obsession
Sidra carries the weight of being the first of her species at Starfleet Academy. Her homeworld only recently joined the Federation after centuries of isolation, and she's acutely aware that her success or failure will shape how the Federation views her people.
What makes Sidra compelling is her complexity. She's brilliant and driven, but also secretive and sometimes manipulative. Her search for the truth about her brother drives the season's plot, but her character arc is about learning that she doesn't have to carry every burden alone.
Best episode: Episode 7, "The Weight of Stars," where she finally opens up to her squadmates about her brother.
T'Laan - The Emotional Vulcan
Species: Vulcan Track: Science Defining trait: Struggles with emotional control
T'Laan subverts our expectations of Vulcan characters. Following a family tragedy, she's been unable to fully suppress her emotions, making her an outcast among her own people. Starfleet Academy represents a fresh start—a place where her "flaw" might be seen differently.
The show uses T'Laan to explore what it really means to be Vulcan. Logic isn't about having no emotions; it's about choosing how to respond to them. Her friendship with Sidra—the most emotionally driven character—creates wonderful contrast.
Best episode: Episode 5, "Logic and Feeling," a bottle episode focused entirely on T'Laan's backstory.
Marcus Cole - The Legacy
Species: Human Track: Tactical Defining trait: Desperate to forge his own identity
Marcus's grandmother commanded a starship during the Burn. His mother serves on the Federation Council. His whole life, people have assumed his path was predetermined. Coming to the Academy is his attempt to prove he's more than his family name.
The show handles his privilege thoughtfully. Yes, he had advantages others didn't. But that doesn't make his struggles less real. His arc is about learning that earning respect means acknowledging where you came from while forging your own path.
Best episode: Episode 8, "Family Name," where he finally confronts his mother about his choices.
The Instructors
Admiral Chen (Command Instructor): The season's secret antagonist, Chen represents institutional failure disguised as protection. She genuinely cares about her cadets, which makes her betrayal more painful.
Commander Voss (Tactical): A veteran of the Burn recovery, Voss brings hard-won wisdom to her teaching. She becomes an unlikely ally to the cadets when they need one.
Professor Stilik (Sciences): A Saurian scientist whose deadpan delivery provides comic relief. His "office hours" scenes became fan favorites.
Lieutenant Commander Park (Engineering): The most demanding instructor at the Academy, Park pushes cadets to their limits because he knows what they'll face in deep space.
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