Back in 2020—six years ago—leapt into the 32nd century, arriving in a galaxy where the Federation was fractured. After a century of inconsistent warp travel caused by a disaster known as “the Burn,” Starfleet and the UFP were scrappy, disheartened, and worn down, having lost key allies like the Vulcans and even Earth. But time has shifted things dramatically. Set right after Discovery Season 5 wraps up, the new series revives a more hopeful vision of the Federation and Starfleet. A central figure in this change is returning Discovery character Admiral Charles Vance, played by the outstanding Oded Fehr.
“For Vance, his biggest dream is to go back to the pre-Burn era and restore Starfleet’s focus on exploration,” Fehr says. “So opening Starfleet Academy and getting Nahla (Holly Hunter) to serve as chancellor is a dream come true for him.”
In SFA, alongside Tig Notaro’s Reno and Mary Wiseman’s upcoming Tilly appearances, Vance actively ties Discovery’s continuity to the new series. Unlike Tilly and Reno, though, Vance is from this time period and has seen unimaginable events—he lived through Starfleet’s darkest days and is now entering what should be its best.
When Vance was introduced in Discovery, the show’s namesake ship had just arrived from over eight centuries prior, and Starfleet “was just trying to survive.” Fehr notes Vance’s journey to optimistic leadership began then: “He couldn’t afford to play games; every day was about survival, making hard, terrible choices. Now it’s lighter, happier, more optimistic—like the future is wide open—and the show feels like the vibe you get visiting a college.”
This idea of dark times leading to hope mirrors Star Trek: The Original Series, a show Fehr has loved since childhood.
“I grew up between Israel and Germany, in a conflict-ridden place, so seeing a show full of future optimism—saying everyone can be equal and strive for peace—meant so much as a kid,” Fehr explains. “Being part of this now is a huge milestone in my career.”
The actor, who’s been in franchises like The Mummy and Resident Evil, had no idea his Discovery Season 3 role would make him a semi-permanent fixture. His Starfleet Academy appearance turns Vance into Star Trek’s “dad figure”—a kind, cool admiral without the corruption or oddity of many high-ranking officers in the franchise’s history.
“I had no clue this would happen. I was cast for a four-or-five-episode arc on Star Trek [Discovery]—that’s it,” Fehr says, adding there’s an alternate universe where it never did. “I got that offer and a DC Universe one at the same time. I chose Star Trek immediately. I knew nothing about the character or that he’d appear elsewhere. Being asked back is such a big compliment.”