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Late night legend Stephen Colbert joins Star Trek as a hidden faculty member
Samira Vishwas | January 17, 2026 2:24 PM CST

The new Star Trek Starfleet Academy series features many fresh faces alongside some big Hollywood names. Legendary actress Holly Hunter leads the show while Paul Giamatti plays the main villain. You will also see familiar stars from past series returning to their roles. Even with all these professionals the show has found space for some fun guest stars.

One of the most interesting additions is a recurring role for talk show host Stephen Colbert. He does not actually appear on screen but instead provides the voice for the digital dean. This character makes various announcements to the students throughout their daily lives. These messages are often very funny and help break up the serious tone of the show.

Colbert is well known for his love of science fiction so this role fits him perfectly. He has done voice acting before in movies like Despicable Me and shows like The Simpsons. His specific style of humor adds a lighthearted feel to the academy. At first the jokes might seem a bit odd for Starfleet but they make sense once you recognize his voice.

The digital dean often gives strange advice about getting coffee or handling alien creatures in the lab. These moments help balance the more intense scenes involving space pirates and political drama. It is a clever way to include a celebrity fan without taking away from the main story. Using a digital voice keeps the focus on the young cadets while still giving fans a nice surprise.



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