Star Trek: Starfleet Academy cancelled

Star Trek: Starfleet Academy has been cancelled after only two seasons. The second season recently wrapped and has yet to be shown on Paramount+.

“We’re incredibly proud of the ambition, passion, and creativity that went into bringing ‘Star Trek: Starfleet Academy’ to life,” CBS Studios and Paramount+ said in a joint statement. “The series introduced audiences to a bold new group of characters, welcomed familiar faces, and expanded the ‘Star Trek’ universe in exciting new ways. We’re grateful to Alex Kurtzman, Noga Landau, Gaia Violo, and the entire cast and crew who pushed storytelling boundaries in the spirit of Gene Roddenberry’s vision. We look forward to sharing the upcoming second and final season with everyone, and continuing to celebrate the cast, crew, and all that was accomplished with this series.”

The cast included Sandro Rosta, Karim Diané, Kerrice Brooks, George Hawkins, Bella Shepard, and Zoë Steiner, along with heavy hitters like Holly Hunter, Paul Giamatti, Gina Yashere, Robert Picardo, and Tig Notaro. Tatiana Maslany even showed up in a guest role.

I wasn't expecting to enjoy the latest Star Trek spin-off series as much as I have! From Jeff Russo's opening theme, which pays homage to Jerry Goldsmith, to a shiny San Fransico and flying robots, it's the most fun and inclusive Star Trek has been since the first season of Star Trek: Discovery.

Series showrunners Alex Kurtzman and Noga Landau released the below letter to the cast and crew of Starfleet Academy, republished in Variety.

"It’s been my and Noga’s joy and privilege to help carry Gene Roddenberry’s extraordinary vision forward with Starfleet Academy, thanks to the hundreds of hardworking humans who pour every ounce of their talents into the work daily with imagination and reverence. We are in post-production now on what will be the second and final season. We’re so proud of what we’ve accomplished together on this show, and the world will get to see the work of these extraordinary artists when season two airs. We will finish strong.

Whether you’re working on Star Trek or part of the marvel that is Star Trek fandom — its very heart, soul, and conscience —the joy comes from adventuring across boundaries of time, space, and the humanly possible in service to Roddenberry’s transformative vision of the future. That incomparable vision was fueled by an inexhaustible optimism. Star Trek places its bet on the best in human nature. It dares to imagine a society of “infinite diversity in infinite combinations,” free of war, hate, poverty, disease, and repression, and dedicated to the spirit of scientific inquiry and respect for all life, whether carbon or silicon-based, green-skinned or blue.

But make no mistake: Gene Roddenberry wasn’t some starry-eyed dreamer. He was a decorated Army bomber pilot in the Pacific Theater. He had seen first-hand the grim consequences of the worst of human nature. And his vision of the future wasn’t just a promise of hope. It was also a warning. In a fraught, frightening time of intolerance and violence, Star Trek said: Look! We made it! But just barely. First, we had to put all those ancient scourges behind us. It said that what makes us glorious as a species, and gives us hope for the future and the galaxy is inextricably linked to what makes us dangerous to each other, to this one world we presently inhabit, and to ourselves. That dual message—of hope and of warning—isn’t just a pretty dream but a call to action, to think about who we are in a different way.

Please don’t take our word for it. Take Gene’s:

“Star Trek was an attempt to say that humanity will reach maturity and wisdom on the day that it begins not just to tolerate, but take a special delight in differences in ideas and differences in life forms. […] If we cannot learn to actually enjoy those small differences, to take a positive delight in those small differences between our own kind, here on this planet, then we do not deserve to go out into space and meet the diversity that is almost certainly out there.”

With enduring hope that his vision of the future is possible, for our children, their children, and every future cadet in Starfleet Academy: Live Long and Prosper."

A mix of toxic fandom and media ownership means many of our favourite franchises, including Doctor Who and Star Trek, are facing an uncertain future. Before the announcement, I'd cancelled my annual subscription to Paramount+. Like many, I'm suffering from subscription fatigue amid a cost of living crisis.

Are you disappointed that Star Trek: Starfleet Academy has been cancelled? Will you be cancelling Paramount+? Let me know in the comments below.

50 years ago in a galaxy far, far away...

50 years ago, in the middle of a salt flat on the edge of North Africa’s Sahara Desert, an independent movie produced by Lucasfilm and financed by 20th Century Fox began principal photography. Its working title was The Star Wars, directed by George Lucas (American Graffiti).

The rest is cinematic history...

Buffy star Nicholas Brendon dies

It's been a tough time for Buffy fans (myself included). Hulu has cancelled the pilot for a revival series, and most tragically, Nicholas Brendon, who played Buffy's best friend Xander Harris in the Scooby Gang, has died aged 54.

Brendon's family confirmed in a statement on social media that "he passed in his sleep of natural causes."

His family added: "He was passionate, sensitive, and endlessly driven to create. Those who truly knew him understood that his art was one of the purest reflections of who he was.

"Most people know Nicky for his work as an actor and for the characters he brought to life over the years. In recent years Nicky has found his passion in painting and art."

Brendon was open about his health struggles, including a heart attack, and underwent two spinal surgeries for cauda equina syndrome, a rare condition that can affect movement as well as bladder and bowel function.

The actor also lived with a stutter, later advocating the cause as a spokesperson for the Stuttering Foundation of America.

The late actor had also opened up about his struggles with substance addiction, alcoholism and mental health issues.

His family told The Hollywood Reporter (THR): "While it's no secret that Nicholas had struggles in the past, he was on medications and treatment to manage his diagnosis and he was optimistic about the future at the time of his passing."

Sarah Michelle Gellar, who played the titular slayer, paid tribute to Brendon with one of Xander's quotes: “They'll never know how tough it is … to live so near the spotlight and never step in it. But I know. I see more than anybody realizes because nobody's watching me." She added: "I saw you Nicky. I know you are at peace, in that big rocking chair in the sky.”

Buffy the Vampire Slayer, arguably one of the greatest television series of all time, is long overdue for a rewatch on Disney+.

LEGO Icons Project Hail Mary

Launch into the realm of cinematic science fiction with the LEGO Icons Project Hail Mary spaceship model kit for adults.

A stellar LEGO gift for sci-fi fans (myself included) based on the blockbuster movie, adapting Andy Weir’s best-selling novel, starring Ryan Gosling.

Buy LEGO Icons Project Hail Mary on LEGO AU, CA, UK and US (affiliate links).

Will you be adding the LEGO Icons Project Hail Mary to your collection? Let me know in the comments below.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day official trailer

Marvel Studios and Sony Pictures have dropped an official trailer for Spider-Man: Brand New Day, starring Tom Holland as the titular web-slinger.



Read the official synopsis:

"After the record-breaking global success of Spider-Man: No Way Home, Spider-Man: Brand New Day marks an entirely new chapter for Peter Parker and Spider-Man. Four years have passed since the events of No Way Home, and Peter is now an adult living entirely alone, having voluntarily erased himself from the lives and memories of those he loves. Crime-fighting in a New York that no longer knows his name, he's devoted himself entirely to protecting his city — a full-time Spider-Man — but as the demands on him intensify, the pressure sparks a surprising physical evolution that threatens his existence, even as a strange new pattern of crimes gives rise to one of the most powerful threats he has ever faced."

When Spider-Man: Brand New Day wrapped filming last December, director Destin Daniel Cretton (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings) published an open letter on social media praising Holland. The director thanked him for his “kind, generous leadership on and off screen, for your relentless work ethic, your fearless performances and for your friendship.”

“I’m so deeply grateful for the people who walked with me through the biggest, most rewarding film I’ve ever been a part of,” Cretton added. “To our amazing cast, for breathing so much life into these beloved characters and moving us every day. To our unbelievable crew, who worked tirelessly with unmatched creativity and craftsmanship, who made me laugh so hard my stomach never stopped hurting. I love you all so much and can’t wait for the world to see your stunning work on the big screen.”

Spider-Man: Brand New Day swings into cinemas on 31st July, 2026.

Are you looking forward to Spider-Man: Brand New Day? Let me know in the comments below.

The Mandalorian and Grogu at the Oscars

Grogu stole the show at the Oscars on Sunday night when he appeared alongside Oscar nominee Kate Hudson. Sigourney Weaver and Pedro Pascal took to the stage, where Weaver reprised her famous line from Aliens.



The Mandalorian and Grogu, based on the fan-favourite characters from The Mandalorian on Disney+, embark on their most thrilling mission yet in The Mandalorian and Grogu, an all-new family-friendly Star Wars adventure filmed for IMAX and opening exclusively in cinemas on 22nd May 2026.

Are you looking forward to The Mandalorian and Grogu? Let me know in the comments below.

Hulu stakes Buffy reboot!

As a Buffy fan, I didn’t see this coming. Hulu has cancelled the reboot starring Ryan Kiera Armstrong (Star Wars: Skeleton Crew).

“I am really sad to have to share this, but I wanted you all to hear it from me,” Sarah Michelle Gellar revealed the news on Instagram. “Unfortunately, Hulu has decided not to move forward with ‘Buffy: New Sunnydale.’ I want to thank Chloé Zhao because I never thought I would find myself back in Buffy’s stylish, yet affordable boots, and thanks to Chloé, I was reminded how much I love her and how much she means, not only to me, but to all of you. And this doesn’t change any of that. And I promise if the apocalypse actually comes, you could still beep me.”

Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the spin-off series Angel, Star Trek, and The X-Files sustained me during the 1990s and early 2000s before Doctor Who returned in 2005. For seven seasons, I adored the adventures of the Scooby Gang (Heat magazine printed my letter in 1999) and have cherished memories of watching the series with my late mum. After mum died in 2007, I haven't been able to watch The Body.

Armstrong, who was set to be the new vampire slayer mentored by Gellar, has reacted to the news that the show is not moving forward at Hulu.

“I’m sure many of you have already heard the news by now. I wanted to come on here and say thank you for all the support you guys have given me and the show throughout the past couple months. It’s been really special. I’m really proud of what we did. I’m sad that you guys won’t be able to see it, but it doesn’t take away from the amazing experience that I had,” the actress said in a video message on her Instagram.

“I wanna say thank you to Sarah, the Zuckerman sisters, Chloé. I love you guys. I also wanna say thank you to all the fans and all the people that believed in this new chapter and who believed in me. So, thank you, guys. Thank you to the cast that I worked with, you guys are awesome,” she continued.

“I guess all I want to say is, you know, we brought this back for you guys and, you know, Buffy is such a big part of all of our lives, and it’s not going anywhere. So, who knows what the future will hold?” Armstrong concluded.

Zhao, the Oscar-winning director of Hamnet, responded to the cancellation of the pilot for Buffy the Vampire Slayer: New Sunnydale.

“I had an incredible, incredible time with Sarah [Michelle Gellar], with all the cast and crew doing this. And we, first and foremost, see ourselves as the guardians of the original show,” Zhao said. “Our priority for Sarah and for us has always been to be truthful to the show, to be truthful to our fans. So, things happen for a reason, and we keep our hearts open and we welcome the mystery. And what this might lead us to.”

Are you disappointed that the Buffy reboot has been cancelled? Let me know in the comments below.

Lost Dalek episodes coming to iPlayer this Easter

Film is Fabulous! have recovered two missing episodes of Doctor Who, which feature William Hartnell in the title role. These are the first missing episodes of Doctor Who to be announced since 2013.

The episodes are from the serial, entitled ‘The Daleks’ Master Plan'. Written by Terry Nation, they were broadcast during the third season of Doctor Who. The serial starred William Hartnell as the Doctor, and Peter Purves as Steven Taylor. It also featured Nicholas Courtney as Bret Vyon, Adrienne Hill as Katarina, and Kevin Stoney as Mavic Chen.

The recovery means that the first three instalments of a once totally missing 12-part story now exist. They provide a dark and gritty outing for the Daleks, who were being groomed by their creator, Terry Nation, for their own series, and life outside of Doctor Who. Indeed, ‘The Daleks’ Master Plan’ was not sold by the BBC to overseas broadcasters.

In addition to the recovery, the Film is Fabulous! team have organised a special event, at which the two restored episodes of Doctor Who will be screened. This celebration of vintage television will take place on Saturday 4th April. The full details will be published shortly. The two episodes will be on BBC iPlayer this Easter.

Film is Fabulous! have collaborated with BBC Archives to enable these programmes to be returned to the BBC. BBC Archives has ensured that the original 16mm telerecordings are restored – meaning viewers will be able to watch them in the best possible condition on BBC iPlayer.

Noreen Adams, director of BBC Archives, said: "BBC Archives has been working to restore the original recordings and update these to broadcast quality, ensuring fans can enjoy a little extra treat with their Easter Eggs this April."

Film is Fabulous! is a charitable trust run by film collectors, cinema lovers, and vintage television enthusiasts. Its primary objective is to ensure that vulnerable film collections held in the U.K. are preserved when private film collectors, and former industry professionals, pass away. Since 2023, the team have preserved many private film collections.

For further information and to donate, visit Film is Fabulous!

Are you looking forward to seeing the two missing episodes from The Daleks' Master Plan on BBC iPlayer? Let me know in the comments below.

LEGO Ideas Tintin Moon Rocket

Blast off into comic book history with the LEGO Ideas Tintin Moon Rocket (21367), a detailed display model inspired by the classic Tintin comic books Destination Moon and Explorers on the Moon.

"Creating the Tintin Moon Rocket has been an incredible journey”, said Alexis Dos Santos. “I wanted to capture the spirit of Tintin’s iconic rocket in a way that celebrates both its engineering elegance and its place in pop culture. Recreating its curvature and connecting the three floors pushed my creativity, and seeing it finally come together with all the minifigures in their space suits has been incredibly rewarding. I hope the build sparks the same sense of imagination and adventure that inspired me from the very beginning."

Pre-order LEGO Ideas Tintin Moon Rocket on LEGO AU, CA, UK and US (affiliate links).

Will you be adding the LEGO Ideas Tintin Moon Rocket to your collection? Let me know in the comments below.

Star Wars: Dark Forces strikes back!

Back in 1995, Star Wars: Rebel Assault II: The Hidden Empire and Star Wars: Dark Forces were the first CD-ROM-based games I owned on my first Apple Macintosh computer, a Performa 5200.

Fast forward to 2024. Nightdive Studios released an acclaimed remaster of Star Wars: Dark Forces for Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4 (PS4), PlayStation 5 (PS5) and PC. Atari is publishing physical editions of the game for Nintendo Switch and PS5 on 13th March.

Star Wars: Dark Forces Remaster has been brought to life by the team at Nightdive Studios, fully remastered through its proprietary KEX engine. New and returning players will enjoy Star Wars: Dark Forces Remaster’s upgraded gameplay, high-resolution textures, enhanced lighting and rendering, and support for gamepads.

The original 1995 Star Wars: Dark Forces raised the bar for FPS games, offering players a significant degree of movement and interactivity, a large selection of items and power-ups, and engaging environments.

In the first Star Wars FPS video game, players assume the role of Kyle Katarn, a defector of the Galactic Empire turned mercenary for hire. Katarn joins the Rebel Alliance’s covert operations division tasked with infiltrating the Galactic Empire, where he discovers the secret Dark Trooper Project. The development of this powerful new series of Imperial battle droids and power-armoured stormtroopers stands to strengthen the Empire’s grip on the galaxy unless Katarn and the Rebel Alliance intervene.

Pre-order Star Wars: Dark Forces at Amazon (affiliate link).

What are your memories of playing Star Wars: Dark Forces? Let me know in the comments below.