Star Trek Actor Discusses Starfleet Academy vs. Discovery

Oded Fehr, who plays Admiral Charles Vance, talks about the differences between the two shows.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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In an interview with TrekMovie.com, actor Oded Fehr, who plays Admiral Charles Vance on both Star Trek: Starfleet Academy and Star Trek: Discovery, discussed the differences between the two shows. Fehr noted that Starfleet Academy has a more optimistic and youthful atmosphere compared to the more serious tone of Discovery, which reflects his own experience living in the college town of Austin, Texas.

Why it matters

As one of the few actors to appear in both the Starfleet Academy and Discovery series, Fehr's insights provide valuable perspective on how the two shows differ in their overall tone and approach, which is of interest to Star Trek fans eager to understand the nuances between the various series set in the same universe.

The details

Fehr explained that the atmosphere of Starfleet Academy is very much like a college town, with the "optimism of students" and "excitement of what's ahead." This contrasts with the more serious and weighty tone of Discovery, which takes place in the 32nd century. Fehr's role as Admiral Vance also shifts between the two shows to better fit the different environments.

  • The interview with Fehr was published on TrekMovie.com on February 27, 2026.

The players

Oded Fehr

An actor who plays the role of Admiral Charles Vance on both Star Trek: Starfleet Academy and Star Trek: Discovery.

TrekMovie.com

An online publication that covers news and analysis related to the Star Trek franchise.

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What they’re saying

“I think the atmosphere of the show is very much – I live in Austin, Texas now. It's a college town. I love college towns. I love the optimism of students, the excitement of what's ahead and what the future holds.”

— Oded Fehr, Actor (TrekMovie.com)

The takeaway

Fehr's insights highlight the distinct tonal differences between the Starfleet Academy and Discovery series, with the former capturing a more youthful and optimistic spirit compared to the more serious and weighty nature of the latter. This provides valuable context for Star Trek fans as they navigate the expanding universe of shows set in this iconic science fiction franchise.