WWE star Becky Lynch shares that she has joined the cast ofStar Trek: Starfleet Academy. The nextTrekshow in the pipeline won’t follow the franchise’s classic star-hopping formula. Instead, the series will focus on Starfleet Academy, the officers’ school responsible for shaping legendary figures like James T. Kirk, Jean-Luc Picard and Kathryn Janeway.Star Trek: Starfleet Academyseason 1is expected to arrive some time in 2025, with season 2 already confirmed.
Casting onStarfleet Academyjust received a big update, as pro wrestlerLynchrevealed on social media that she has joined the show. Details on Lynch’s character are mostly being kept under wraps, but she did say in her posting that she plays “a part of the bridge crew” on the new show. Lynch expressed her excitement about joining theTrekuniverse in a video message to fans, before awkwardly attempting a Vulcan salute:
You know, when you’ve already been champion of the world, there’s really only one place to go next, and that’s to the stars. And I am so excited to share with all of you that I am joining Star Trek: Starfleet Academy as part of the bridge crew, and lads, this has been the most incredible experience, acting alongside just a spectacular cast and crew, and I cannot wait for all of you to check it out when it comes out on Paramount+, and hey, live long and prosper.
What This Means For Star Trek: Starfleet Academy
Lynch Would Make A Great Klingon
Lynch is just the latest cast member to be announced forStarfleet Academy. The five-time WWE Women’s World Champion joins the previously-revealed Holly Hunter, Tig Notaro,Robert Picardo, Paul Giamatti and Tatiana Maslany, among others. Lynch’s own acting resume includes the WWE-produced action filmThe Marine 6: Close Quarters, playing Cyndi Lauper onYoung Rockand doing voice work for the animated filmRumble.
Bridge crew member
Captain and Academy Chancellor
Unnamed character with dark past
Academy instructor
Oded Fehr
Admiral Charles Vance, Starfleet commander-in-chief (reprisingDiscoveryrole)
Lynch is now expanding that resume by joining theTrekuniverse, where she will get to play a bridge crew member on some vessel. Further details concerning Lynch’s role are unknown as yet, but given her wrestling background and the physicality that goes with it, there’s a chance she could play a Klingon, or a member of another physically powerful alien race. The show benefits by having a major wrestling star in the cast, potentially drawing new fans who would otherwise be uninterested inStar Trek.
Our Take On Lynch Joining Starfleet Academy
She Follows In The Footsteps Of The Rock
Wrestlers making the jump to acting is nothing new. In recent years, several massive grappling stars have not only successfully executed the transition to acting, they’ve thrived in their various new roles. One-time WWE champ Dwayne Johnson is a global movie superstar, and Dave Bautista and John Cena have both followed his example, establishing themselves as reliable performers in dramatic and comedic parts.
Johnson indeed snagged one of his early roles on aTrekshow. A cross-over promotion between two of UPN’s signature offerings,WWE SmackDownandStar Trek: Voyager, saw Johnson cast as an alien fighter who takes on, and defeats, Seven of Nine. That was just a one-off appearance, however. Lynch gets a chance to play an actual ongoing character onStarfleet Academy, becoming the first WWE superstar to be a major part of aTrekfranchise entry.
Kerrice Brooks, Bella Shepard, George Hawkins, Karim Diané, Zoë Steiner, and Sandro Rosta playStarfleet Academy’s roster of cadets
Lynch is an unproven actor as of now, with only a handful of roles to her name. She’ll be surrounded by very talented performers onStar Trek: Starfleet Academy, including Oscar-winner Hunter and -nominee Giamatti, and being around such pros will no doubt help her with the new challenge. Whether the WWE icon plays an alien in prosthetics, or a human character, she will bring a very different vibe to the newestTrekuniverse series, and potentially a new audience.
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy
Cast
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy follows a group of cadets as they embark on their journey to become Starfleet officers. Facing the challenges of friendship, rivalry, and romance, they confront a new enemy endangering the Academy and the Federation under the guidance of their rigorous instructors.
