After a decade on ice, “Star Trek” returned to TV in a big way starting in 2017 with “Star Trek: Discovery” which led to a bunch of new “Star Trek” shows hitting the airwaves. However in the past year, the franchise has become more famous for shrinking than anything else.
“Star Trek: Picard” ended, whilst “Star Trek: Prodigy” was abruptly cancelled despite a second season being effectively completed and unaired. ‘Discovery’ is ending its run early next year, a cancellation that hit the cast and crew unexpectedly as they were filming the finale (thus requiring that to be retooled).
There’s also been talk of other spin-offs such as a “Section 31” movie and “Starfleet Academy” but those don’t seem to have moved much (or had much traction with the fans). The fanbase has called for a “Picard” sequel series “Star Trek: Legacy” but again, effectively no movement there.
Thus we’re left with only two “Star Trek” shows on the air – “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” and the animated “Star Trek: Lower Decks”.
We know ‘Strange New Worlds’ is getting a third season which was set to shoot its third season until the actor’s strike hit pause. It’s safe to assume once the strike ends, that new season will go forward. Beyond that? It’s not clear.
The same goes with “Star Trek: Lower Decks” which is currently in the midst of airing its fourth season. Speaking with Cinema Blend, he says whilst a fifth season of the show is a guarantee – right now he’s concerned of an unexpected cancellation as everyone else on the franchise:
“I mean, listen, we’re in weird times. Everything is changing. I think everything’s gonna continue to change. I would say nothing is safe.
I don’t have any bad news for anybody, but also, I think you shouldn’t assume that this stuff is gonna stick around unless you vocally and watch it early on.
I do not know if we’re going to have another season after the season we’re working on right now. ‘Lower Decks’ could very well be a five-season show.
So, if you love Lower Decks as much as I do, I would say make sure to watch it and get people to watch it now. A letter writing campaign after a show gets canceled, it’s helpful, but what’s more helpful is campaigning to get more eyes on the show when it’s airing because it gives me the ability to push for more seasons.
I would love to finish Lower Decks with the plan that I have for it. I would say, take Prodigy looking for a new [network], and take a look at Picard being wrapped at Season 3, and at Discovery wrapping as well. I would say read those as signs that if you want more Lower Decks, you should be vocal about it now and not wait.”
In other words, enjoy it and support it while you can because it won’t be around forever. New episodes of “Star Trek: Lower Decks” continue Thursdays on the Paramount+ service.
