I’m doubtful that Star Trek: Legacy will actually happen — at least, as long as one other particular Star Trek series is still airing. Like many other fans, I was excited by the prospective new Star Trek series Star Trek: Picard season 3 set up that would follow the adventures of Captain Seven of Nine (Jeri Ryan), Commander Raffi Musiker (Michelle Hurd), and Ensign Jack Crusher (Ed Speleers), aboard the newly rechristened USS Enterprise-G. Star Trek: Picard showrunner Terry Matalas proposed the title Star Trek: Legacy, and fan campaigns to get Legacy off the ground were started, but there’s been no word from Paramount about Legacy actually happening.
Instead, the next two new Star Trek series have been announced, and neither of them are Star Trek: Legacy. First up is the 32nd-century-set Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, starring Holly Hunter, Paul Giamatti, several legacy Star Trek characters, and a new crop of fresh faces for the Star Trek franchise. We knew Starfleet Academy was coming for a while, so that wasn’t much of a surprise. Paramount’s slate of San Diego Comic-Con announcements also included a brand-new, untitled Star Trek live-action comedy by writers Tawny Newsome and Justin Simien. Why would Star Trek: Legacy remain so suspiciously absent when Paramount knows fans want it?
Paramount+ Will Have Only One Star Trek Show About The USS Enterprise At A Time
Star Trek’s New Shows Don’t Replace Star Trek: Legacy
The most likely answer is that Paramount+ will only have one Star Trek show about the USS Enterprise at a time, regardless of which Enterprise it is. As long as Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is telling stories about Captain Christopher Pike’s (Anson Mount) Starship Enterprise, Star Trek: Legacy won’t be recounting the voyages of the USS Enterprise-G with Captain Seven of Nine. This makes sense, since Strange New Worlds and Star Trek: Legacy would follow the classic Star Trek format of Star Trek: The Original Series and Star Trek: The Next Generation , with episodic, self-contained stories about exploring the galaxy and morality plays.
Strange New Worlds and Legacy would have similar functions as flagship series.
Instead of being considered replacements for Star Trek: Legacy, Star Trek’s new shows fill different niches that some recently canceled Star Trek series leave open. Lieutenant Beckett Mariner actress Tawny Newsome’s Star Trek workplace sitcom will carry on Star Trek: Lower Decks’ comedy mission. Star Trek: Starfleet Academy is likely to pick up where Star Trek:
Discovery left off in Star Trek’s 32nd century, and could continue Discovery’s tradition of pushing Star Trek’s boundaries with experimental storytelling formats. Strange New Worlds and Legacy would have similar functions as flagship series for the Star Trek franchise, so it makes sense to space them out.
A Possible 5 Seasons For Strange New Worlds Could Open The Door For Star Trek: Legacy
There’s Still New Star Trek To Look Forward To Before Star Trek: Legacy
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds might last for only 5 seasons, at which point the door could open for Star Trek: Legacy to take its place as Star Trek’s flagship series. Because Star Trek: Strange New Worlds begins in 2259, and the first season of Star Trek: The Original Series takes place in 2265, it might seem like there’s a 5-year time limit on Strange New Worlds, but the timing of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is purposely ambiguous. Instead, the 5-year projection comes from Star Trek: Discovery and Star Trek: Lower Decks’ 5-year runs, which suggest Star Trek series lasting 5 seasons might be the new franchise normal.
Even if Star Trek: Strange New Worlds ends with season 5, that’s still another potential 3–5 years before Star Trek: Legacy. That may feel like a long time, but it’s nothing compared to the drought between the end of Star Trek: Enterprise in 2005 and Star Trek: Discovery’s 2017 premiere — and we still have tons of new Star Trek to look forward to in the meantime. As my favorite of the new Star Trek series, I hate the idea of sacrificing Strange New Worlds to get Star Trek: Legacy, but that might be how it has to be if there’s only room for one USS Enterprise show at a time.