Dear Star Trek fans, your iconic franchise is set to break new ground by venturing into a live-action comedy series. Yep, you heard that right.
The project, which will be available on Paramount+, was announced during the Star Trek Universe panel at San Diego Comic-Con by Justin Simien and Tawny Newsome. Simien, known for his work on “Dear White People” and “Haunted Mansion,” moderated the panel, while Newsome, a voice actor from “Star Trek: Lower Decks,” joined him on stage.
Simien and Newsome are co-writing this half-hour comedy series alongside Alex Kurtzman, the steward of the Star Trek franchise. This marks Kurtzman’s debut in half-hour comedy writing. The series will explore the adventures of Federation outsiders stationed on a gleaming resort planet, whose everyday exploits are being broadcast to the entire quadrant.
Although the title and format of the series—whether it will be single-camera or multi-camera—remain undisclosed, some intriguing hints were dropped. Simien and Newsome teased that the series will feature 25th-century shenanigans, odd couple pairings, and what they described as “vibes.”
Joining the writing and executive producing team are Aaron Baiers, Rod Roddenberry, and Trevor Roth. The project is being produced by CBS Studios, the home of the Star Trek universe, where Kurtzman’s Secret Hideout is based.
This new series marks Star Trek’s first foray into live-action comedy. While the franchise has seen success with animated comedies like “Lower Decks” and “Prodigy,” a live-action comedic take is unprecedented. Tawny Newsome, in addition to her voice work on “Lower Decks,” is also a writer for the upcoming “Starfleet Academy” series and has appeared as her character Beckett Mariner in live-action form during a crossover episode with “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.”
For Justin Simien, this project represents his first involvement with the Star Trek franchise, despite being a longtime fan. Simien, who previously created, executive produced, and directed the comedy-drama series “Dear White People,” expressed his excitement about this new venture. He credited “Star Trek: The Next Generation” as a significant influence on his writing style, particularly its ensemble cast and varied character viewpoints.
As Star Trek continues to expand at warp speed, this new live-action comedy series promises to add a fresh and entertaining dimension to the beloved sci-fi universe. Fans can look forward to seeing how Federation outsiders navigate the comedic chaos of a resort planet, with their adventures broadcasted across the galaxy.