For Star Trek fans, the 60th anniversary has been a mixed bag. While the franchise celebrates six decades of boldly going, the TV landscape has grown quieter. With Strange New Worlds and Starfleet Academy both set to conclude after their upcoming seasons, and no new series officially announced, it's the first time in over a decade that no new Trek shows are in active production. But before you start beaming up your disappointment, there's a glimmer of hope from the top.
In a recent interview with Deadline, Jane Wiseman, head of original programming at Paramount+, addressed the franchise's future head-on. "We're the home of Star Trek, and we have series coming back. We're going to have more," she said, reassuring fans that the final frontier is far from empty. Wiseman also highlighted Chris Parnell, EVP at Paramount+, as "the resident number one fan of the Star Trek franchise," signaling that Trek has passionate advocates in the executive suite.
So what's actually on the horizon? Strange New Worlds, which follows the USS Enterprise crew before Captain Kirk, is currently airing its fourth season and will wrap with a shortened fifth. The cast and crew were reportedly keen to continue, but no greenlight has materialized yet. Meanwhile, Starfleet Academy, set centuries ahead with a new generation of cadets, was cancelled after its first season, though a second season is already filmed and expected to drop next year. The only Trek series still actively continuing is the preschool animated show Star Trek Scouts, which returns for a second season on YouTube this fall.
Wiseman emphasized that figuring out the next iteration of Trek is a top priority. "It is our goal and it is our job to figure out what the next bounce of Star Trek is," she said. "We're talking to a lot of writers, we are leaning on CBS Studios, and it is imperative that we figure out what the next iteration is in this franchise because it's just too important." That's a strong signal that Trek isn't going anywhere, even if the current slate is winding down.
Beyond TV, there's also a new Star Trek movie in development. After multiple attempts to reunite the cast of J.J. Abrams' reboot films, Paramount has pivoted to a fresh start. The film is being developed by John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein, the duo behind Game Night and Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves. It's expected to feature an all-new cast and time period, steering clear of legacy characters.
For fans hungry for more Trek content, there's plenty to explore in the meantime. If you're in the mood for a different kind of sci-fi, check out Blade Runner 2049's recent surge on Paramount+. And if you're curious about the genre's literary roots, our list of sci-fi books that defined the genre offers some essential reading.
While the immediate future of Star Trek on TV may seem uncertain, the franchise's legacy and its importance to Paramount+ are undeniable. With new leadership and a clear mandate to keep the franchise alive, fans can expect more adventures from the final frontier. Stay tuned for updates as more details emerge.
