Star Trek: Discovery to be Official Title for CBS All Access Reboot
Carissa Pavlica
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Star Trek: Discovery will be coming to CBS All Access in 2017.
That's the title of the newest Star Trek franchise, this time helmed by showrunner Bryan Fuller.
While at San Diego Comic Con, Fuller shared the series won't be episodic in nature, but will tell stories like a novel.
“Because it’s on CBS All Access, won’t miss anything,” Fuller said of the streaming service. “It’s all at your fingertips.”
Fuller was joined on stage by a lot of franchise guests, including William Shatner, Scott Bakula, Michael Dorn, Jeri Ryan and Brent Spiner.
Spiner did an impression of Patrick Stewart arguing that Captain Picard was the best USS Enterprise leader that really got the crowd going.
As could be expected, the panelists were comparing Trek time with current times.
“We’re in a time now where identity is under attack,” Spiner said. “It’s disturbing.”
Spiner also noted, "Politicians could learn from Star Trek."
Fuller also got in on the pointed discussion, but from a slightly different angle.
“Individuality should be celebrated. Star Trek celebrates diversity,” he said.
Fuller added, “It seems like a great statement from Gene Roddenberry, who felt the human race just has to get along.”
Bakula shared that he thought science fiction was fascinating because of its eternal optimism.
“Even when it’s dark, I feel human beings will work it out," he continued.
The series will be used as a marketing push by CBS to get their CBS All Access streaming product up and running.
The most enticing way to do this is to show the first episode of Star Trek: Discovery on CBS before pulling it off of the traditional network and onto the streaming platform.
“The new series has to remind audiences the message of Star Trek — continuing to push boundaries,” Fuller said.
David Semel is set to direct and executive produce the first episode of the series.
It will be interesting to see if there is any difference in quality between the premiere and what follows, but it seems highly doubtful.
The expectation for the premiere to be of blockbuster quality would certainly be beneficial to CBS for many reasons, though.
Fuller shared that one of the motivations of the series, “We do have to celebrate a progression of our species because right now we need a little help.”
What do you think? Do you like the title? Will you watch the premiere on CBS knowing you'll have to move to CBS All Access to see the rest of the series? Does the idea of the series playing out like chapters in a novel appeal to you? Let us know!
Carissa Pavlica is the managing editor and a staff writer and critic for TV Fanatic. She's a member of the Critic's Choice Association, enjoys mentoring writers, conversing with cats, and passionately discussing the nuances of television and film with anyone who will listen. Follow her on X and email her here at TV Fanatic.
