Actor Robert Picardo, 72, is coming to the protection of newer Star Trek reveals.
In a January 2026 interview with Reel College, Picardo, who has performed The Physician, an Emergency Medical Hologram (EMH), in Star Trek: Voyager and Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, shared his ideas in regards to the science-fiction franchise’s long-lasting legacy. He famous that Star Trek: The Unique Collection, which debuted in 1966, introduced a way of optimism and tales of inclusion.
“Star Trek was based in the course of the turbulent ’60s at a second of actual cultural and political turmoil. And I feel that at occasions when you might have that very same essential quantity of cultural and political turmoil, the world wants Star Trek greater than ever,” stated the actor, who joined Star Trek: Voyager throughout its first season, which premiered in 1995.
Picardo then stated he is conscious that the newer Star Trek sequence, like Star Trek: Discovery, Star Trek: Unusual New Worlds, and Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, have acquired backlash.
“I’ve heard some followers say that Star Trek has gone too far in its variety and inclusion,” stated Picardo in the course of the January 2026 interview. “I utterly disagree with that. Why ought to our thought of variety and inclusion in 2026, be the identical because it was in 1966? 60 years later, we have all developed. Humanity’s developed. The world’s modified. So Star Trek is as numerous and inclusive because it has ever been, correctly. As a result of Star Trek leads. Science fiction goals the dream after which science catches up with the dream.”
As well as, he stated he believes that “Star Trek leads our creativeness and posits a greater future.”
“I feel that is what Starfleet Academy is all about optimism for our future, coaching a brand new technology of leaders in house. So, , what may very well be higher for this second in time?” continued the actor.
The primary season of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, which additionally stars Holly Hunter, Paul Giamatti, Sandro Rosta, andTig Notaro, premiered on January 15, 2026.
