Star Trek: Starfleet Academy is effectively over following its debut on the 2026 TV schedule, and with its ending, the cast's thoughts and opinions are now free to come out. With no secrets to hold close to the chest, even Robert Picardo shared a Season 3 story that referenced Voyager in a way I would've loved to see.
As questions continue to mount about what's next for Star Trek and when we'll see future shows available to stream with a Paramount+ subscription, Picardo just revealed what we missed out on with Season 3 not happening. Unfortunately, we'll likely never see this episode, which is a shame because it touches on one of The Doctor's best stories from Voyager.
Robert Picardo Wanted To Do A Sequel To Voyager's "Living Witness"
During an appearance on The D-Con Chamber, Robert Picardo revealed he did a video test to see what it'd be like for him to be digitally de-aged to look like himself back when he was on Voyager. It was done, in part, because Picardo pitched and received soft approval from showrunner Noga Landau for Season 3 of Starfleet Academy to cover a follow-up to the beloved episode "Living Witness."
Article continues belowAs Star Trek fans may remember, there are two versions of The Doctor kicking around in the 32nd century. There's the one we followed on Starfleet Academy, and a backup copy of him featured in "Living Witness." While he didn't have the full idea fleshed out, he said he felt the episode would thrive on seeing how two formerly identical versions of the character evolved over time:
The idea is that because we both had a conflict-laden relationship with 'Daddy,' who was our programmer, Dr. Lewis Zimmerman, my character on Starfleet Academy resolved that. Because we did a Voyager episode that was very much where The Doctor tries to save his programmer, who [was] dying.
One example Picardo offered up of how this would be entertaining was the "Living Witness" version of the EMH being unable to understand why Star Trek: Starfleet Academy's Doctor would alter his programming to appear older amongst organics. I love the idea, and think it would've been another example of why Picardo's Doctor remains one of Star Trek's best characters.
Robert Picardo's Reveal Shows Just How Unlikely Paramount Is To Reverse Course On Starfleet Academy's Cancellation
Unfortunately, I think the fact that Robert Picardo is being so open about this idea shows just how sure he feels that Star Trek: Starfleet Academy won't be saved from cancellation. I know there's a petition with 36,000+ names and counting, hoping fans can reverse it as they've done before, but there are different circumstances this time around.
With Paramount Skydance hoping to make its merger with Warner Bros. Discovery official, all signs indicate that executives are content to start fresh with Star Trek television once Alex Kurtzman's contract expires at the end of 2026. There are two final seasons of Strange New Worlds filmed, as well as one final season of Starfleet Academy. This sets up content to release until at least the end of 2027, by which a new show could be announced and in development.
This is all speculation, of course, as there are no guarantees Star Trek television will return at this time. For now, Paramount Skydance seems most concerned about bringing the franchise back to theaters, and even hired Spider-Man: Homecoming's writers to make it happen. There's a lot of uncertainty right now, and I look forward to the time we have more clarity on the future of Trek when it comes to television.
Until then, almost all Star Trek shows are available to stream right now on Paramount+. Fingers crossed we'll have a release date for Strange New Worlds Season here soon, along with some answers about where the franchise will "boldly go" next.
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