CBS is going where no man — er, network — has gone before.
According toa report from Variety, four new series set in the Star Trek universe are currently in development at CBS after prolific sci-fi screenwriter Alex Kurtzman signed a five-year deal. Kurtzman will oversee the expansion of CBS’s Trek portfolio, which currently consists solely ofStar Trek: Discovery.
It’s unclear how extensive CBS’ plans are for the Trek universe — if Disney’s Star Warsactivityis anyindication, we’re in fora lotof spinoffs — but we do know of four projects currently in the pipes.
There’s a series set at Starfleet Academy from the team of Stephanie Savage and Josh Schwartz (Gossip Girl,Runaways); a limited series based on the Wrath of Khan storyline, which was the subject of bothStar Trek: The Wrath of KhanandStar Trek: Into Darkness; an animated series, with no further details available; and another limited series, also being kept under wraps.
We now have one major detail regarding one of the new series. Sir Patrick Stewart has announced that he will be returning to reprise his role as Jean-Luc Picard. We don’t know too much about the series, but it will reportedly be a sequel to Enterprise rather than a reboot.
In his statement, Stewart mentioned that he had thought his time as Picard had come to an end, but said that he found himself “excited and invigorated” to be returning to the iconic role. He said that he hopes that Picard will be able to shine a light during”these often very dark times.”
It is an unexpected but delightful surprise to find myself excited and invigorated to be returning to Jean-Luc Picard and to explore new dimensions within him. Read my full statement in the photo.#StarTrek@cbsallaccessPhoto:@shervinfotopic.twitter.com/8Ynuj3RBNm
— Patrick Stewart (@SirPatStew)June 22, 2025
Discoverydebuted alongside CBS All Access, the network’s new streaming platform, in 2017. The show struggled at first as reports leaked out regarding behind-the-scenes issues of budgeting and morale, but recovered and earned critical acclaim over the final stretch of season 1.The second seasonis set to arrive in 2019.
WithDiscoveryas one of its linchpins and several more Trek properties in gestation, it looks like CBS is doubling down on sci-fi in a big way. We’re also expectingmore Star Trek movies, though those probably wouldn’t be related to CBS’s projects. We know Quentin Tarantino plans toput his spin on the franchise, though he’s currently working onOnce Upon a Time in Hollywood.
Kurtzman previously served as an executive producer onDiscovery, and the deal sees him take over that show (in addition to all the new projects) followingthe exit of previous showrunnersGretchen Berg and Aaron Harberts. Kurtzman co-wrote bothInto Darknessand the reboot that preceded it, and currently produces three CBS shows (includingHawaii Five-O) through his production company Secret Hideout.
Kurtzman and Secret Hideout will also develop other, non-Trek related series across broadcast, cable, and streaming for CBS.
Updated on 11-08-2025 with the news that Patrick Stewart will be reprising his role as Jean-Luc Picard
