As we wrote previously, comedian, writer, and actress Gina Yashere is boldly going where few comics have gone before—into the Star Trek universe. Paramount+ announced that Yashere will appear as a recurring guest star in the upcoming series Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, playing one of the instructors at the legendary institution. (See Gina as Instructor K’Zanti Vel below)
Best known as the co-creator and star of CBS’s Bob Hearts Abishola, Yashere brings her sharp wit and global perspective to the sci-fi franchise. Her character is described as a Starfleet Academy instructor, tasked with guiding a new generation of cadets through the trials of becoming officers in the Federation.
This marks a major genre shift for Yashere, whose comedy roots include appearances on Def Comedy Jam, The Daily Show, and Live at the Apollo. Her casting adds a fresh comedic edge to the series, which is being pitched as Star Trek’s first live-action YA comedy-drama.
Set in one of the galaxy’s most iconic institutions, Star Trek: Starfleet Academy follows a group of young cadets as they navigate blossoming friendships, explosive rivalries, first loves—and a mysterious new enemy that threatens both the Academy and the Federation.
Yashere joins a cast that includes:
- Holly Hunter as the Academy’s chancellor
- Paul Giamatti as the season’s villain
- Kerrice Brooks, Bella Shepard, George Hawkins, Karim Diané, and Zoë Steiner as cadets
Production began this summer, with the series set to premiere on Paramount+ in 2026.
Yashere’s casting reflects Star Trek’s ongoing commitment to diversity and innovation. Her presence brings not only comedic flair but also a fresh cultural lens to a franchise known for pushing boundaries.
Yashere plays Instructor K’Zanti Vel, a former Starfleet communications officer turned Academy faculty member. Her teaching style? Blunt, brilliant, and brimming with sarcasm — cadets either love her or fear her (often both).
Key traits:
- 🗣️ Master of linguistics and subspace signal decryption
- 🧠 Known for unorthodox teaching methods, including surprise simulations and pop quizzes mid-warp
- 😂 Injects dry humor into tense moments, even during cadet evaluations
K’Zanti Vel trained on Starbase 47, surviving a rogue ion storm that took out most communications systems — she’s revered for maintaining contact with command using an improvised signal built from shuttle parts. This moment made her a legend in Federation tech circles and led to her Academy appointment.
She’s appeared in several canonical references within the Trek universe:
- 🪐 Mentioned in passing in the Star Trek: Lower Decks episode “In the Signal We Trust”
- 📚 Featured as a footnote in Starfleet’s linguistics training module (which cadets often quote sarcastically: “Be like Vel. Or don’t. She’ll mock you either way.”)
K’Zanti Vel is especially close to:
- T’Nari (Zoë Steiner): A Vulcan cadet struggling with emotional regulation. Vel encourages her to “embrace chaos occasionally — it’s good for science.”
- Grayson Kai (George Hawkins): A jokester cadet who sees Vel as a comedic mentor, much to her mild annoyance.
And she’s often at odds with Chancellor Gorran Hale (Holly Hunter), clashing over academic protocol — but their mutual respect keeps things professional (mostly).
