Summary
Star Trek: Starfleet Academyis the perfect chance to bring back Keyla Detmer (Emily Coutts) and Joann Owosekun (Oyin Oladejo), two ofStar Trek: Discovery’s most underrated characters.Discovery’s series finalepremiered in May 2024, rounding out its impressive run with an action-packed 10 episodes. Although the finale tied up loose ends,certain characters, like Detmer and Owosekun, were conspicuously absent from the rest of the season, due in part toDiscovery’s unexpected cancelation after much of season 5 was filmed.
Although the lack of Detmer, Owosekun, and other characters like Saru (Doug Jones) was disappointing inDiscoveryseason 5, theStar Trekfranchise has a chance to right these wrongs with the upcomingStar Trek: Starfleet Academy. Set in the 32nd century,Starfleet Academywill follow a cast of cadets at the eponymous school, featuring new faces and equally new threats. Not much is known yet aboutStarfleet Academy, but some tantalizing casting details like Holly Hunter and Paul Giamatti have already been released, and the show’s setting is the perfect opportunity to bring back severalcharacters fromDiscoverycast.

Star Trek’s Next Show Is So Hot, Actors Are Begging To Be Cast In It
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy casting A-listers like Holly Hunter and Paul Giamatti has other actors clamoring to join the next Star Trek series.
Detmer & Owosekun Are Perfect For Star Trek: Starfleet Academy
Starfleet Academy needs more Star Trek: Discovery characters
IfStarfleet Academyis going to act as the spiritual successor toDiscovery, the show would do well to bring back Detmer and Owosekun as part of its main cast. It has been all but confirmed that Sylvia Tilly (Mary Wiseman) will be returning to her role as instructor at the Academy, andDiscoveryseason 5 teased that Tilly is hoping to start a mentor program, pairing cadets with experienced officersin the hopes that it will boost student enrollment and retention. If this plan comes to fruition inStarfleet Academyseason 1, Detmer and Owosekun are prime mentor candidates.
Detmer and Owosekun never achieved the full narrative potential thatDiscoveryteased for them, butStarfleet Academyis another chance for both characters to be fully fleshed out.

During their time onDiscovery, Detmer and Owosekun proved that they are both excellent officers with a lot to offer in their given fields. However,Discoveryalso often sidelines the two characters and the other members of the USS Discovery’s bridge crew in favor of focusing onCaptain Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green). Detmer and Owosekun never achieved the full narrative potential thatDiscoveryteased for them, butStarfleet Academyis another chance for both characters to be fully fleshed out. Detmer and Owosekun would excel as part ofStarfleet Academy’s main cast given howDiscoveryalready set up them up.
What Star Trek: Discovery Revealed About Detmer & Owosekun So Far
Discovery left Detmer and Owo’s future wide-open
Despite less fleshed-out backstories compared to some characters,Discoveryrevealed a fair amount about Detmer and Owosekun during its five-season run. Detmer’s defining characteristic was her exceptional piloting skills, while Owosekun demonstrated that she was top-level Opperations officer during her time on the bridge.Discoveryalso showed glimpses of both women’s personal lives, including their close friendship with each other. Season 3 provided the show’s most well-rounded storylines for Detmer and Owosekun, but both characters generally played small but important roles in other seasons.
However,Discoveryleft enormous potential untapped for Detmer and Owosekun’s character development, something thatStarfleet Academycould remedy. Given thatDiscoveryalready had replacements for both women on the bridge in season 5, the two could end up being entirely free to be part of Tilly’s mentor program,a storyline that would help expand on their professional achievements and personal goals. Including Detmer and Owosekun inStar Trek: Starfleet Academywould also help carrying onDiscovery’s legacy inStar Trek, something that is needed after the show’s final season.

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.
Star Trek: Discovery
Star Trek: Discovery is an entry in the legendary Sci-Fi franchise, set ten years before the original Star Trek series events. The show centers around Commander Michael Burnham, assigned to the USS Discovery, where the crew attempts to prevent a Klingon war while traveling through the vast reaches of space.
