For 10 years, Stephen Colbert has been the sharp-tongued, quick-witted ringmaster of late night, helping audiences make sense of the day’s madness. But as The Late Show with Stephen Colbert prepares to take its final bow this May, there’s one question that lingers in the minds of fans. What comes next for one of television’s most distinctive voices?
While we haven’t heard of any more talk show ventures on the horizon, you don’t have to worry about Colbert vanishing from your screen just yet. While everyone’s been processing the end of an era, Colbert has quietly been plotting his next move. Back in August 2025, news broke that he had signed on for a guest star role in the hit CBS drama Elsbeth for its third season. Surprisingly, he portrayed a fictional late-night talk show host, a role that couldn’t be more fitting. The episode featuring him has already aired, so if you missed it, you can catch it on Paramount+. It’s the season 3 premiere.
This isn’t the only new gig we’ll be seeing from Colbert, though. In fact, his next one might be his most unexpected yet. During this year’s New York Comic Con, Colbert shocked fans with a virtual appearance during the Star Trek universe panel to reveal his involvement in the upcoming Paramount+ series Star Trek: Starfleet Academy. Yes, you read that right. Colbert is officially joining the Star Trek universe! We definitely didn’t see that coming.
With Star Trek: Starfleet Academy being a Paramount+ series, Colbert is keeping things close to home and within the ever-expanding Paramount family that’s supported his late-night legacy for a decade. The show, which takes place in the 32nd century and follows a new generation of cadets training to become Starfleet officers, premieres on Paramount+ on Jan. 15, 2026, with new episodes streaming Thursdays and the finale set for March 12.
In the new sci-fi series, Colbert lends his voice to the Digital Dean of Students at Starfleet Academy. So, no, you will not see him on camera in the traditional sense. His character is responsible for delivering daily announcements and important alerts to the cadets. Also in the cast are Holly Hunter, Sandro Rosta, Karim Diané, Kerrice Brooks, George Hawkins, Bella Shepard, Zoë Steiner, Robert Picardo, Tig Notaro, and Oded Fehr.
In addition to Colbert’s casting announcement and the official premiere date being revealed, the exciting official trailer for Star Trek: Starfleet Academy was released during New York Comic Con. Check it out below!
