SDCC 2026: Star Trek Hall H Panel (Live Updates)
Hall H isn't quite the final frontier, but for fans of "Star Trek" in attendance at San Diego Comic-Con 2026, it is where they will witness history. Only a few months shy of six decades since the premiere of the original "Star Trek" series, SDCC will host a reunion of sorts for the space adventure franchise.
Guests for this panel are expected to include the cast of the currently airing "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds," along with select members from nearly every other completed "Star Trek" series, including George Takei, Michael Dorn, Robert Picardo, Cirroc Lofton, Connor Trinneer, Doug Jones, Michelle Hurd, Jerry O'Connell, Karim Diané, & Rod Roddenberry (son of "Star Trek" creator Gene Roddenberry).
The presentation will begin at 12:30 p.m. PT, but we'll start our pre-show one hour prior. Static Media's Brandon Rowe will be on the ground in San Diego throughout the convention, providing Looper with direct reporting on the biggest Hall H panels.
37 Updates
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Thank you for following our coverage of the "Star Trek Universe" panel!
We will return with coverage for the Marvel Studios presentation at 4:30 pm PT. Please join us then!
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As the panel's final question, Mantz asks Peck how it felt to complete filming on the last day of Season 5 of "Strange New Worlds."
Peck responds, "Beautiful, hopeful, and triumphant. I feel so proud to advocate for love, curiosity, and logic."
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Anson Mount calls Rebecca Romijn "the MVP" of days where they are shooting on bridge. She replies with a quick hug on stage.
— Brandon Rowe @ SDCC 2026 (@Brandonrowe14) July 25, 2026
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Melissa Navia is reflecting on the relationship between Erica Ortegas and Montgomery Scott. She says the writers mentioned that pilots and engineers sometimes don't always get along 100%, so that's the origin of their rivalry.
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Paul Wesley to Ethan Peck: "Didn't we go on a coffee date to talk about Spirk?"
That question drew lots of laughs from the crowd.
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Celia Rose Gooding: "I'm honored, humbled, and excited for you all to see what is coming."
She says it's the honor of her career so far to play the role.
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Rebecca Romijn says she is proud to give depth to an iconic character who previously only had 13 minutes of screen time.
— Brandon Rowe @ SDCC 2026 (@Brandonrowe14) July 25, 2026
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Melissa Navia is beaming after an audience member screams, "I fly the ship!"
— Brandon Rowe @ SDCC 2026 (@Brandonrowe14) July 25, 2026
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Here's a good look at the panelists present for "Strange New Worlds."
— Brandon Rowe @ SDCC 2026 (@Brandonrowe14) July 25, 2026
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We just got a good look at the upcoming episodes in the fourth season of "Strange New Worlds." Things that stuck out to me: A new hairstyle of Uhura and at one point... a fire-breathing dragon?!?!?
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Christina Chong brought a dog with her for the panel. The dog briefly stopped for pets from Anson Mount and Celia Rose Gooding before returning to sit in front of Chong.
— Brandon Rowe @ SDCC 2026 (@Brandonrowe14) July 25, 2026
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That's over now. "Strange New Worlds" time!
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They're playing a short segment from the animated children's show on Nickelodeon's "Star Trek Scouts." This segment was built specifically for Hall H. New episodes launch on "Star Trek" day, September 8.
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George Takei: "Our strength is in our working together... It's our recognition that that difference and the courage, the boldness to think about that difference to learn from it. I think that's what the strength of 'Star Trek' is. And then... You'll live long and prosper."
Looks like we're jumping to "Strange New Worlds" next.
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Karim Diané announces that Ruaridh Aldington is playing a new alien named Keats in Season 2 of "Starfleet Academy."
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Mantz starts a "Lower Decks" chant before asking Jerry O'Connell a question about how "Lower Decks" is a tribute to '90s "Trek."
O'Connell: "The thing that amazes me about Starfleet is how these people make you... I'm only in this game for five years and everyone here makes me feel so welcome."
He gives a shoutout to his "Stand By Me" co-star Wil Wheaton, who he says was the first person to text him after the news of his casting in "Lower Decks" was announced.
The text said, "Welcome to Starfleet, Commander."
— Brandon Rowe @ SDCC 2026 (@Brandonrowe14) July 25, 2026
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Doug Jones says he's been a fan of "Star Trek" since the very beginning and is thrilled that he finally got to play a role in the franchise with "Discovery." He also thanks the fans for their support over the years.
— Brandon Rowe @ SDCC 2026 (@Brandonrowe14) July 25, 2026
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Michelle Hurd is emotional talking about watching "Star Trek" reruns with her father. She reflects on the importance of seeing Lieutenant Uhura (Nichelle Nichols) guiding the ship as a black woman.
After dropping a few f-bombs toward those who spread hate, she says, "I'm a New Yorker. I curse."
— Brandon Rowe @ SDCC 2026 (@Brandonrowe14) July 25, 2026
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Mantz asks Dominic Keating what made "Enterprise" special. Keating first responds "a good looking cast," but then echoes the same optimistic message that other panelists have talked about.
He also jokingly refers to himself as "discount Scott Bakula" as Bakula could not attend the panel.
— Brandon Rowe @ SDCC 2026 (@Brandonrowe14) July 25, 2026
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Michael Dorn is reflecting on the privilege of working on the last series created by Gene Roddenberry.
When asked for a good story of working with Gene Roddenberry, Dorn tells a story of asking Roddenberry why Worf was always getting beat up. Roddenberry explained that it told the audience the enemy was dangerous. Of course, he couldn't help but point out that that Data, an android, was also a reasonable adversary. Roddenberry humorously responded, "Get out of my office."
— Brandon Rowe @ SDCC 2026 (@Brandonrowe14) July 25, 2026
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Here's a closeup on the legendary George Takei. At 89 years old, Takei entered the stage in a wheelchair, but he's wicked sharp on stage and knows exactly what the audience wants to hear.
— Brandon Rowe @ SDCC 2026 (@Brandonrowe14) July 25, 2026
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It looks like Connor Trinneer from "Enterprise" couldn't make it to this panel, so instead Dominic Keating, who played Lieutenant Malcolm Reed, is the featured actor from the series.
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— Brandon Rowe @ SDCC 2026 (@Brandonrowe14) July 25, 2026
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All of Hall H is standing for George Takei's entrance!
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Looks like we're starting with legacy characters! Photos to come.
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Roddenberry is really focusing on the optimism of "Star Trek," telling Hall H that the show tells us where humanity can go, even if we're not there right now.
"May you all love long and prosper!"
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Rod Roddenberry is speaking now. He's reflecting on the ways that "infinite diversity in infinite combinations" (IDIC) is the core of the franchise.
— Brandon Rowe @ SDCC 2026 (@Brandonrowe14) July 25, 2026
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Scott Mantz is hosting today's panel. He brought along proof of his longtime fandom of the franchise in an original series poster he hung on his wall as a 7-year-old boy.
— Brandon Rowe @ SDCC 2026 (@Brandonrowe14) July 25, 2026
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Lights are back on and the stage is filled with a total of 10 chairs.
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The "Star Trek Universe" panel is starting with a franchise retrospective sizzle reel.
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Ron Diamond's "The Animation Show of Shows" panel has concluded. "Star Trek Universe" will begin in 10 minutes.
For SDCC attendees who can't make it into Hall H, Paramount+ also hosts its annual The Lodge activation at Happy Does in the Gaslamp Quarter during the convention. Here's a quick video from this year's activation, which features an immersive "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds" experience aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise.
— Brandon Rowe @ SDCC 2026 (@Brandonrowe14) July 28, 2026
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"Star Trek: The Original Series," then known simply as "Star Trek," premiered on NBC on Sept. 8, 1966. Nearly six decades later, the franchise has certainly had its ups and downs, but it remains a cultural juggernaut, especially for large parts of the San Diego Comic-Con crowd.
To help celebrate 60 years of "Star Trek," the second half of the "Star Trek Universe" panel will be dedicated to the many different iterations the franchise has seen over the years. Of course, the stage is only so big, so Paramount has chosen a select few cast members from each series to appear for this part of the panel.
"Starfleet Academy":
- Karim Diané (Jay-Den Kraag)
- Robert Picardo (The Doctor)
"Strange New Worlds":
- Christina Chong (La'an Noonien-Singh)
"Picard"
- Michelle Hurd (Raffi Musiker)
- Michael Dorn (Worf)
"Lower Decks":
- Jerry O'Connell (Jack Ransom)
"Discovery":
- Doug Jones (Saru)
"Enterprise":
- Connor Trinneer (Charles "Trip" Tucker III)
"Voyager":
- Robert Picardo (The Doctor)
"Deep Space Nine":
- Cirroc Lofton (Jake Sisko)
- Michael Dorn (Worf)
"The Next Generation":
- Michael Dorn (Worf)
"The Original Series"
- George Takei (Hikaru Sulu)
Additionally, Eugene "Rod" Roddenberry, the son of "Star Trek" creator Gene Roddenberry and "Star Trek" actress Majel Barrett-Roddenberry, will be in attendance.
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This year's "Star Trek Universe" panel is scheduled to run 1 hour, 15 minutes, making it slightly shorter than last year's 1 hour, 30 minute presentation.
Last year's presentation included a full screening of a then-unaired Season 3 episode. Given the shorter presentation time this year, it seems unlikely that Paramount will repeat that this time, but with Season 4 having just kicked off, it's not entirely out of the question.
However, if Paramount is pressed for time, it will no doubt be due to the size of the second half of the program...
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The first part of the "Star Trek Universe" panel will most likely be dedicated to the fourth season of "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds." The show, which is the 11th series in the franchise, just premiered its fourth season on Thursday.
According to the official San Diego Comic-Con schedule, the following stars are expected on the stage.
- Anson Mount (Captain Christopher Pike)
- Rebecca Romijn (Una Chin-Riley / Number One)
- Ethan Peck (Spock)
- Christina Chong (La'an Noonien-Singh)
- Celia Rose Gooding (Nyota Uhura)
- Melissa Navia (Erica Ortegas)
- Paul Wesley (James T. Kirk)
Additionally, executive producers Akiva Goldsman, Henry Alonso Myers, and Alex Kurtzman are expected to appear.
Unfortunately, three series regular cast members will be absent from the panel:
- Babs Olusanmokun (Dr. Joseph M'Benga)
- Jess Bush (Nurse Christine Chapel)
- Martin Quinn (Montgomery "Scotty" Scott)
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Here is Ron Diamond, presenting the Animation Show of Shows.
— Brandon Rowe @ SDCC 2026 (@Brandonrowe14) July 25, 2026
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Welcome to Looper's live coverage from Hall H at San Diego Comic-Con 2026.
Today's coverage begins with "Star Trek Universe." The panel, which starts in one hour, is set to bring together the cast of "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds" and a bevy of beloved legacy stars from across the franchise's nearly 60-year history.
Here's a look at the scene before the panel begins. The first panel of Hall H today is for a program called "The Animation Show of Shows." Unlike the franchise-heavy presentations that will follow in this room today, "The Animation Show of Shows" celebrates the art of animation itself, screening a handpicked collection of animated shorts.
Created by producer Ron Diamond, the long-running showcase has introduced audiences to dozens of Academy Award-winning and nominated shorts over the years. Notably, while the Animation Show of Shows has been a Comic-Con mainstay for more than a decade, this year's presentation marks its first return to Hall H since 2019.