The Star Trek universe is set to venture into uncharted territory with a fresh live-action series in development. Announced at San Diego Comic-Con on Saturday, the upcoming series is being crafted by Justin Simien, the mastermind behind Dear White People, and Tawny Newsome, recognized for her role in Star Trek: Lower Decks, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter. The project also features Alex Kurtzman, the key architect behind numerous recent successes of the franchise. The new series will be a live-action comedy set in a lavish resort planet, where Federation outsiders manage their daily lives amidst adventures broadcast across the galaxy. The show intends to merge comedy with classic Star Trek elements, potentially drawing inspiration from workplace comedies like The Office or Parks and Recreation. Simien, who led the announcement panel, disclosed that Star Trek: The Next Generation significantly influenced his career, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter.
"Dear White People could not exist without Next Generation," Simien remarked, reflecting on how the 1980s series informed his approach to ensemble storytelling and diverse character perspectives. Alex Kurtzman commended Newsome's contribution to the project, emphasizing her remarkable writing abilities. "She is a stone-cold assassin of a writer," Kurtzman stated, recognizing her role as a writer on the forthcoming Starfleet Academy series and her impact on this new endeavor. Simien, Newsome, and Kurtzman will act as writers and executive producers for the series, with Aaron Baiers, Rod Roddenberry, and Trevor Roth also joining as executive producers. The show is being produced by CBS Studios, according to The Hollywood Reporter. This new addition will join a robust lineup of Star Trek content, including Strange New Worlds, Lower Decks, and the anticipated Starfleet Academy. Simien, known for his incisive racial satire in Dear White People and his recent works, Bad Hair and Haunted Mansion, is poised to infuse his distinctive comedic style into the Star Trek universe. Newsome, an actor-comedian with notable roles in Brockmire and Space Force, will extend her involvement in the Star Trek franchise while also lending her voice talents to the new series.
