Star Trek Turns 60, But the Future of the Franchise Is Uncertain

Star Trek just celebrated its 60th anniversary, and for longtime fans, it’s a moment worth savoring. The original series debuted on NBC in 1966 and went on to spawn movies, spinoffs, and generations of devoted viewers. But this anniversary comes with a big question mark. The two current series, Starfleet Academy and Strange New Worlds, are both ending, and no new Trek show or film has been officially announced. Next year could be the first in about a decade with no new Star Trek in production.

Part of the challenge is the audience itself. Cast and creators say the core fanbase is aging, and the current strategy isn’t pulling in enough new viewers. Streaming changed how people watch long-running series too, making it harder to build the kind of loyal, appointment-viewing audience Trek once had. Actress Jeri Ryan also raised a fair question about whether the franchise’s historic message of diversity and inclusion lines up with the priorities of Paramount’s current ownership.

Paramount+ says it still wants a new iteration of the franchise, and a new film script is reportedly in development. So this may be a pause rather than a goodbye. For now, fans are left to rewatch the classics and wonder what the next voyage looks like. What’s your favorite Star Trek series of all time? Let us know in the comments.