As we speak, work is well underway on putting togethera brand newStar TrekTV series. That’s exciting stuff! It’s been over a decade sinceTrekwas on the small screen, with the four-season run ofStar Trek Enterprisecomprising the end of an impressive 18-year run of back-to-backStar TrekTV shows on the air, but CBS is bringing the franchise back in the form ofStar Trek Discovery, withHannibalandPushing Daisiescreator/showrunnerBryan Fullerserving as showrunner and executive producer. Many details for the show have remained under wraps ahead of its January 2017 premiere, but Fuller recently took part in a radio interview where he revealed some tantalizing new tidbits.
PerAICN, Fuller revealed that the lead character ofStar Trek Discovery—who we know is a female, human, non-captain Starfleet officer—is referred to in the series as “Number One.” Additionally, while this first season will consist of 13 episodes, Fuller divulged that he would ideally like each season ofStar Trek Discoveryto comprise no more than 10 episodes, not unlikeGame of Thrones. Indeed, the HBO series stuck to a 10-episode season on account of how herculean a challenge it is to actually produce the show every year, and if Fuller is going big withDiscovery, it would behoove him to really hone in on 10 great hours of TV rather than rushing to put out more. There’s also the fact that he’s pulling double duty, serving as showrunner on Starz’s upcomingAmerican Godssimultaneously.
We know that Fuller and fellow executive producerAlex Kurtzman—who co-wrote the 2009Star Trekfeature film as well asStar Trek Into Darkness—are scripting the first installment ofStar Trek Discovery, but Fuller told AICN thatNicholas Meyerscripted the second hour. Meyer was a mighty exciting hire forStar TrekDiscoveryas he’s the one responsible for scripting the feature filmsWrath of Khan,The Voyage Home, andThe Undiscovered Country, so it’s great to hear he’s spearheading one of the early episodes.
Fuller has also filled out his writer’s room, telling AICN thatWonderfallsandPushing DaisiesalumsGretchen BergandAaron Harbertshave signed on to serve as co-showrunners, withJesse Alexander(Alias,Hannibal) and playwright/authorKemp Powersalso joining the writing team.
You can listen to the full radio interviewright here, via AICN, but this is definitely exciting stuff. And for even more on the show,click herefor Steve’s interview with Fuller from the Saturn Awards.Star Trek Discoverywill premiere on CBS in January, but subsequent episodes will be available exclusively on the streaming service CBS All Access.
