‘Star Trek’ New York Comic-Con Panel to Feature William Shatner, ‘Starfleet Academy’ Season 2 Stars (EXCLUSIVE)

The “Star Trek” panel at New York Comic-Con will feature a special conversation with franchise legend William Shatner, Variety has learned exclusively.

Shatner’s appearance comes as “Star Trek” is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year. He famously played Capt. James T. Kirk in “Star Trek: TOS” for three seasons as well as “Star Trek: The Animated Series” for another two. He and his fellow original series cast members then starred in six “Star Trek” films, while Shatner also appeared in the “Next Generation” film “Star Trek: Generations” alongside Patrick Stewart.

As previously announced, the panel will take place Oct. 10 from 3:15-4:15 pm ET on the Empire Stage and will offer fans a sneak preview of “Star Trek: Starfleet Academy” Season 2. Additional panelists will include “Starfleet Academy” stars Holly Hunter, Sandro Rosta, Bella Shepard, Karim Diané, and Robert Picardo, as well as co-showrunners and executive producers Alex Kurtzman and Noga Landau.

“Starfleet Academy” Season 2 does not yet have a premiere date, though it is slated to debut in 2027. As Variety exclusively reported in March, Season 2 will be the show’s final season.

The logline for “Starfleet Academy” Season 2 states that it “follows our cadets into their second year aboard the USS Athena. There, their ideals of leadership, friendship, romance and morality are put to the test as they navigate budding rivalries, shaky diplomatic negotiations, a fiercely competitive schoolwide tournament, and the arrival of a mysterious new cadet whose existence raises questions that could have consequences far beyond the classroom.”

The future of the “Star Trek” franchise remains uncertain beyond “Starfleet Academy” and the upcoming fifth and final season of “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.” At the time of this publishing, no new shows have been announced, though Paramount is said to be keen on developing a new “Star Trek” film.