Star Trek’s New Captain Makes History After 60 Years
Star Trek has long been a staple of science fiction television, spanning over six decades and introducing numerous iconic captains. The legacy of these leaders connects back to 1966, beginning with William Shatner’s portrayal of James T. Kirk.
Historic Lineage of Starfleet Captains
The sequence of influential captains in Star Trek progressed through notable figures:
- James T. Kirk – Commanding the original USS Enterprise (depicted by William Shatner)
- Jean-Luc Picard – Leading in Star Trek: The Next Generation (portrayed by Patrick Stewart)
- Avery Brooks – Captain Sisko in Deep Space Nine
- Kate Mulgrew – Captain Janeway in Star Trek: Voyager
- Scott Bakula – Captain Archer in Enterprise
- Sonequa Martin-Green – Captain Burnham in Star Trek: Discovery
- Dawnn Lewis – Captain Freeman in Star Trek: Lower Decks
- Anson Mount – Captain Pike in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds
Nahla Ake: Breaking New Ground
As Star Trek continues to evolve, a new captain joins this esteemed lineage. Captain Nahla Ake, played by Holly Hunter, emerges as a significant character in Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, set to premiere on January 15, 2026.
Captain Ake stands out as the first main character in Star Trek history who is not fully human. Unlike her predecessors, she is part Lanthanite, a new race within the Star Trek canon. While specific traits of the Lanthanites remain mostly unknown, they bear a close resemblance to humans and have coexisted on Earth for millennia.
The Significance of Captain Ake
At over 400 years old, Captain Nahla Ake brings unparalleled experience to her role. This extraordinary longevity may grant her a unique perspective on the brief lifespans of humans and other species within the Federation. Ake’s age makes her the oldest Star Trek captain to date.
While Star Trek: Prodigy previously featured an engineered hybrid character, Dal, leading a Starfleet vessel, he did not serve in a captain role. The Protostar crew saw brief leadership from Ensign Gwyndala, a Vau N’Akat, but she held the title of acting captain only at the series’ conclusion, further cementing Ake’s position as the groundbreaking figure in Starfleet’s captaincy lineage.
Details of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy
This upcoming series is spearheaded by showrunners Alex Kurtzman and Noga Landau. The writing team includes Gaia Violo and Gene Roddenberry, ensuring the series remains in line with the franchise’s rich legacy.
As the Star Trek franchise expands its universe, Captain Nahla Ake’s introduction will change the dynamic of storytelling and representation. Fans can look forward to her journey through the stars as she leads the USS Athena in a new chapter of Star Trek history.
