‘Star Trek’ TV Series Showrunner Steps Down: Is It The End?


Bryan Fuller will no longer be in charge of the CBS All Access Star Trek TV Series, having stepped down as the digital series showrunner. While the news is expected to send shivers among the show’s loyal fans, it does not mean that he is quitting altogether.

Digital Spy reports that Fuller will retain the executive producer role from which he will continue to map out the series storyline for the upcoming season. The decision was reached in a bid to relieve the co-creators responsibilities, given his commitment to other upcoming projects. Fuller is reportedly burdened by the reboot of the Amazing Stories as well as the adaptation of the novel American Gods that he is currently working on.

Fuller is already down to business with American Gods having shared a number of posts on Twitter and the accompaniment of his new crew.

Even on showboating his new crew, the Star Trek co-creator was quick to point out his commitment to the upcoming season.

“We are all committed to seeing this vision through and look forward to premiering Star Trek: Discovery this coming May 2017,” said CBS TV Studios in a statement.

With the changes, the series co-creator and executive producer, Alex Kurtzman, as well as Gretchen Berg and Aaron Harberts, are to oversee all production works going forward. Academy award winning Akiva Goldsman will also join the Star Trek TV series team in a significant role.

Fuller has already echoed his confidence on the new team, which he believes, has all that it takes to take Star Trek TV series to new heights

In a tweet, Fuller wrote:

Fuller is taking a back seat, having written the first two episodes of the upcoming Star Trek TV series season. The new season, which was slated for release in January of next year, has now been pushed to May, according to Screen Crush. Shooting of the 13-episode new season is scheduled to start soon, Fuller having promised fans to expect new characters as well as twists and turns intended to make the show more exciting.

Early this month Fuller hinted that they are planning to bring in new actors in a bid to give the show a new facelift.

“We’ve met with fantastic actors – and of course there are people I’ve worked with before that I’d love to see on Star Trek. We’re trying to figure out everybody’s schedules.”

The upcoming season of Star Trek TV series will reportedly feature a non-captain female lead. There are also reports that it will seek to explore an event never referenced in the initial series. However, the long-term goal with the Star Trek TV series is to stick with well-known characters from the current franchise.

While information is still sketchy on what to expect with the upcoming season, CBS has to keep enthusiasts yearning for the upcoming season having shared a short synopsis of what to expect.

“The brand-new Star Trek will introduce new characters seeking imaginative new worlds and new civilizations, while exploring the dramatic contemporary themes that have been a signature of the franchise since its inception in 1966.”

Co-creator Fuller has also hinted that the Star Trek TV series could go where the previous shows have not gone in terms of being more graphic. The Daily Mail reports that the fact that the new season will be shown on CBS All access means producers can push its boundaries with total disregard to network standards.

It now awaits to be seen whether the Star Trek TV Series will lose its appeal among loyal fans especially on losing Bryan Fuller’s Active role. While CBS and subscription service CBS All access carry the rights for US streaming, viewers outside the US will have to contend with Netflix to watch the series once released next year.

[Featured Image by Kevin Winter/Getty Images]

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