Star Trek: Starfleet Academy Star Speaks Out on Negative Fan Response

Kerrice Brooks shares her perspective on the backlash to the new Star Trek series.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 9:50pm

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An extreme close-up of a shattered, glittering disco ball reflecting a kaleidoscope of rainbow colors, conceptually representing the fractured fan response to the new Star Trek series.The divisive fan reaction to Star Trek: Starfleet Academy has left the show's cast feeling the emotional impact of the criticism.Los Angeles Today

Kerrice Brooks, who plays the character of SAM on the new Star Trek: Starfleet Academy series, has opened up about the negative fan response to the show. Brooks revealed that the constant criticism and 'hate' from older Star Trek fans drove her away from social media during the first season. She expressed hope that fans will be more constructive in their feedback when she attends conventions.

Why it matters

The backlash to Starfleet Academy highlights the challenges of appealing to both longtime Star Trek fans and attracting a younger audience. Brooks' comments shed light on the personal impact this criticism can have on the show's cast members, who are simply trying to bring the franchise into the future.

The details

Brooks admitted that the negative reception from older fans drove her away from social media once Season 1 of Starfleet Academy premiered. She said all she saw was "negativity" and "hate" for the show and its characters, which kept her off platforms like Instagram. Brooks urged fans to be more constructive in their criticism, saying "if it's not nice, let's just talk about it" instead of simply dismissing the show as being "too woke."

  • Starfleet Academy is expected to release its second season in 2027.
  • The first season of Starfleet Academy premiered in 2026.

The players

Kerrice Brooks

An actress who plays the character of SAM on the Star Trek: Starfleet Academy series.

Robert Picardo

A veteran Star Trek actor who recently shared his hopes for the franchise's future.

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What they’re saying

“I'm not online really much because I've had my own relationship with social media since my dance career before acting. And I feel like I know we there's no such thing as a perfect show, and I know that there are things that I won't be able to understand, that the older Trekkies feel. But all I saw was negativity, if I'm being honest … And that also kept me off, especially off of Instagram. I don't have a Facebook. Tiktok is just funny, but the ones where I think Gen Z isn't so active, all I saw was the hate for our show and for our characters, and that kept me off.”

— Kerrice Brooks, Actress

“If it's not nice, like, let's just talk about it. Don't just say, like, I hate it because it's DEI. Tell me you hate it because of something else, and then we can have a conversation.”

— Kerrice Brooks, Actress

What’s next

Starfleet Academy is expected to release its second season in 2027, which will give the cast another opportunity to engage with fans and address the criticism.

The takeaway

The backlash to Starfleet Academy highlights the ongoing challenges of balancing the desires of longtime Star Trek fans with the need to attract a younger audience. Brooks' comments underscore the personal toll this criticism can take on the show's cast, emphasizing the importance of constructive feedback.