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When Star Trek: Discovery premiered in 2017, it opened up a world of opportunities to expand the Star Trek universe that had been stagnant on the small screen since the cancellation of Enterprise in 2005. Its success eventually led to the production of Short Treks, a short-film anthology, Picard, based on Sir Patrick Stewart’s character, and Lower Decks, an adult animated comedy.
Now with various other projects in the works, Trekkies have turned to the most anticipated of them all: Strange New Worlds. The series will finally bring fans more Star Trek content centered around the bridge crew that debuted in The Original Series‘ pilot. Details about Strange New Worlds are being kept tightly under wraps, but some information has made its way to the internet since the show was formally announced back in 2020.
10 Anson Mount, Rebecca Romijn & Ethan Peck Will Reprise Their Discovery Roles
The second season of Discovery introduced the crew of the Enterprise before Captain Jim Kirk’s time, with Captain Christopher Pike, his first officer Number One, and ensign Spock joining Michael Burnham to fight the Red Angel. The characters were such a success with Trekkies, that many called for them to reprise their roles in a new series dedicated solely to them.
Anson Mount, Rebecca Romijn, and Ethan Peck all expressed interest in returning, especially after the warm welcome from the Star Trek community. After a brief appearance in Short Treks, it was confirmed that the three actors would join the cast of Strange New Worlds.
9 It Will Follow Pike & His Crew A Decade Before The Original Series
Strange New Worlds will follow Pike’s Enterprise about a decade before Kirk took over as Captain. Pike’s crew first appeared in The Original Series‘ first pilot episode, “The Cage.” It showed a much more expressive Spock, a determined Pike, and an efficient Number One as they deal with a landing party crisis on an alien planet.
Even though “The Cage” was rejected as a pilot, it’s regarded as canonical within the Star Trek universe as pieces of the episode can be seen in The Original Series‘ episode “The Menagerie.”
8 The Series Will Return To The Alien-Of-The-Week Format
The Original Series, like many other series of its time, was mostly filled with standalone episodes—and only a couple of two-parters—that were designed to appeal to even the most casual of viewers. As Star Trek shows evolved and gained popularity, longer and more complex arcs were introduced to compete with the serialized television of the ’80s and ’90s.
Unlike Discovery, which follows a single storyline every season, Strange New Worlds will mark a return to the old-fashioned storytelling of the original Star Trek. The series will follow the same ‘alien-of-the-week’ format that made The Original Series so beloved and allowed its characters to truly discover new worlds and new civilizations in each episode.
7 Strange New Worlds Will Be More Optimistic Than Discovery
Discovery brought Star Trek back to its broadcasting roots after a long drought without the sci-fi franchise on TV, but it also received criticism for its somber tone and aesthetics. After fans expressed their frustration with these choices, the Strange New Worlds producers promised the show would regain Star Trek‘s more colorful and charismatic tone.
Gene Roddenberry, creator of the franchise, was known for the optimistic approach he gave to all the Star Trek shows he produced. A group of humans and aliens looking forward to exploration and scientific advancements is what drove Star Trek in the first place, so returning to those values will definitely gain them points with fans of the classics.
6 The Crew Of The Enterprise Keeps Growing
Strange New Worlds added five more Starfleet officers to the Enterprise this past March. The first two on board, Nigerian-American actor Babs Olusanmokun and English actress Christina Chong, have both worked on Netflix’s hit sci-fi drama, Black Mirror. Chong has previously appeared on the BBC’s Doctor Who and Olusanmokun will soon grace the silver screen in Denis Villeneuve’s Dune.
Broadway musical Jagged Little Pill‘s Celia Rose Gooding and Playing For Keeps actress Jess Bush have also joined the production, with Homeland‘s Melissa Navia following shortly after. All five actors have been cast in regular roles and will be accompanying Pike on the Enterprise’s voyages.
5 The Series Will Still Explore Character Arcs
Despite its episodic nature, Strange New Worlds is said to take advantage of some serial storytelling aspects in order to better explore character arcs. Executive producer and show creator Akiva Goldsman pointed out that, unlike The Original Series, the crew of Pike’s Enterprise won’t magically forget the traumatic experiences of the previous episodes.
Ethan Peck, in particular, expressed his excitement at being able to explore Spock’s transition from his Discovery self into Leonard Nimoy’s highly disciplined Vulcan. The series will also delve into Number One’s backstory and show how Pike is handling his knowledge of the grim future that awaits him.
4 The Entire First Season Has Finished Filming
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, production for Strange New Worlds seemed uncertain at first, but in late 2020, Alex Kurtzman confirmed filming would take place in 2021. Filming officially started in February in Ontario, Canada, and recently wrapped up this past July, with actor Anson Mount thanking fans for their support and celebrating on Twitter.
Some reshoots are scheduled for later this year, but post-production should be right around the corner. Soon enough, fans will be receiving more news from the cast and crew as the premiere date slowly approaches.
3 At Least 10 Episodes Have Been Commissioned
Given its episodic approach, many speculated that the first season of Strange New Worlds might extend over fifteen episodes or more, but so far only ten episodes have been commissioned. While not much is known about the content of the episodes, Discovery and Picard writer-producer Akiva Goldsman has been confirmed to be handling the pilot’s screenplay and directorial duties.
Furthermore, Goldsman has commented on The Original Series‘ penchant for producing episodes with different tones, including horror or comedy-influenced episodes, which could define Strange New Worlds‘ upcoming storylines and make it stand out from other Star Trek productions.
2 Strange New Worlds Will Premiere In 2022 On Paramount+
Following Discovery’s steps, Strange New Worlds will premiere on ViacomCBS’s newly rebranded streaming service, Paramount+. Discovery was a huge success driving new subscriptions to the platform in 2017, a feat that Strange New Worlds will seek to imitate and even surpass when it premieres in 2022.
Previously known as CBS All Access, Paramount+ has already begun its expansion outside the US, starting with Australia in 2018, continuing with Canada in early 2021. All new Star Trek shows, including the Sir Patrick Stewart-led Picard and animated comedy Lower Decks, can be streamed on the service.
1 Jonathan Frakes Will Be Directing An Episode
Jonathan Frakes, who played Commander William Riker starting in The Next Generation, has been confirmed to be directing one of Strange New Worlds‘ upcoming episodes. The American actor and director recently reprised his role as Jean-Luc Picard’s Number One in Picard and lent his voice to an animated version of his character in Lower Decks.
Aside from acting, Frakes previously directed several Star Trek episodes, including Picard‘s “Absolute Candor,” Deep Space 9‘s “Meridian,” and Discovery‘s “New Eden,” among more than twenty others. He has expressed that he’s looking forward to directing and working with Mount, Peck, and Romijn, whom he previously worked with on Discovery.
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