After announcing that The Late Show will end in May 2026, Stephen Colbert stunned fans at New York Comic Con by revealing his next adventure—joining the Star Trek universe as a witty AI character in Starfleet Academy, marking an emotional but thrilling evolution from late-night legend to intergalactic storyteller.

Stephen Colbert might be ending his reign as one of television’s most beloved late-night hosts, but his next chapter is already unfolding—and it’s taking him somewhere completely unexpected: outer space.

During his surprise appearance at New York Comic Con on October 11, 2025, Colbert revealed that once The Late Show with Stephen Colbert signs off in May 2026, he’ll be joining the Star Trek universe in a brand-new Paramount+ series, Star Trek: Starfleet Academy.

In a pre-recorded video message broadcast during the Star Trek Universe Panel, Colbert greeted fans with his trademark charm, wearing a mock Starfleet uniform.

“Attention cadets,” he began, dramatically raising one eyebrow.

“I’ve gone where no late-night host has gone before—into the archives of the 25th century.

I’ll be joining Starfleet Academy as the voice of your new Digital Dean, an artificial intelligence programmed for academic excellence, emotional confusion, and the occasional monologue.”

The crowd erupted in laughter and applause.

For longtime Colbert fans, the moment perfectly captured his sharp wit and geeky enthusiasm.

Colbert has never been shy about his love for Star Trek; he’s referenced the series countless times on The Late Show, even jokingly calling himself “a part-time Vulcan trapped in a talk show host’s body.”

The news arrives only months after Colbert’s emotional announcement that The Late Show would end in 2026.

Speaking live from the Ed Sullivan Theater in July, he told viewers, “This show has been one of the greatest joys of my life.

But it feels like the right time to pass the torch—to someone younger, someone who still has the energy to read 200 political headlines before breakfast.

” His decision marked the end of an era for CBS and for late-night television as a whole.

Behind the scenes, industry insiders have speculated that Colbert’s departure was not purely voluntary.

The move came amid rumored tensions with CBS executives following his frequent criticism of corporate influence and political figures, including his high-profile jabs at former President Donald Trump.

Still, Colbert’s official statement emphasized gratitude, humor, and hope for the future.

Now, with Starfleet Academy and a second surprise project lined up, that future looks bright.

During his Comic Con appearance, Colbert also confirmed a guest role in the hit CBS procedural Elsbeth.

In the show’s upcoming third season, premiering October 12, 2025, he’ll play Scotty Bristol, a fictional late-night host whose “truth-telling comedy” lands him in the middle of a high-profile murder investigation.

“Let’s just say Scotty and I have a few things in common,” Colbert teased.

Fans and critics alike have praised Colbert’s seamless pivot from late-night to scripted television.

Entertainment journalist Lauren Stewart commented, “What Colbert is doing is what great performers do—evolve.

He’s not retiring, he’s reinventing himself.

” Social media buzzed with excitement, with one fan writing on X (formerly Twitter): ‘Colbert leaving late-night to become an AI in Star Trek feels like the most Stephen Colbert thing ever. ’

The Starfleet Academy project itself has been in development for years, set to explore the lives of young cadets training for duty in the 25th century.

Paramount insiders describe Colbert’s “Digital Dean” as a recurring character that will guide students through moral and academic dilemmas with both wisdom and sarcasm.

Production is expected to begin in early 2026, with the show premiering later that year.

For Colbert, the timing couldn’t be more fitting.

After more than a decade of nightly political monologues and cultural commentary, the comedian seems ready to embrace storytelling on a different scale—one that allows humor, imagination, and philosophy to collide.

“Late-night television has always been about connecting with people,” Colbert said in an interview following the Comic Con panel.

“Star Trek does the same thing—it asks big questions about who we are and who we might become.

I guess that’s my new kind of monologue.”

As his Late Show prepares for its farewell season, Colbert’s transition from behind the desk to among the stars feels symbolic.

The man who once joked about “truthiness” is now stepping into a universe built on truth-seeking.

Whether he’s delivering punchlines or starship wisdom, Colbert proves once again that reinvention isn’t an ending—it’s evolution.

And if his Comic Con message is any hint, Stephen Colbert’s next voyage won’t just be live—it’ll be light-years ahead.