Originally Posted by : The Next Chapter of the Legendary “Star Trek” TV Franchise Will Premiere on the CBS Television Network, Then Move to CBS All Access Digital Subscription Service
Alex Kurtzman, Co-Writer and Producer of the Blockbuster Films
“Star Trek” and “Star Trek Into Darkness,” to Executive Produce
CBS Studios International to Distribute the Series Globally
For Television and Multiple Platforms
STUDIO CITY, CALIF. AND NEW YORK, N.Y. – Nov. 2, 2015 – CBS Television Studios announced today it will launch a totally new “Star Trek” television series in January 2017. The new series will blast off with a special preview broadcast on the CBS Television Network. The premiere episode and all subsequent first-run episodes will then be available exclusively in the United States on CBS All Access, the Network’s digital subscription video on demand and live streaming service.
The next chapter of the “Star Trek” franchise will also be distributed concurrently for television and multiple platforms around the world by CBS Studios International.
The new program will be the first original series developed specifically for U.S. audiences for CBS All Access, a cross-platform streaming service that brings viewers thousands of episodes from CBS’s current and past seasons on demand, plus the ability to stream their local CBS Television station live for $5.99 per month. CBS All Access already offers every episode of all previous “Star Trek” television series.
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.
Alex Kurtzman will serve as executive producer for the new “Star Trek” TV series. Kurtzman co-wrote and produced the blockbuster films “Star Trek” (2009) with Roberto Orci, and “Star Trek Into Darkness” (2013) with Orci and Damon Lindelof. Both films were produced and directed by J.J. Abrams.
The new series will be produced by CBS Television Studios in association with Kurtzman’s Secret Hideout. Kurtzman and Heather Kadin will serve as executive producers. Kurtzman is also an executive producer for the hit CBS television series SCORPION and LIMITLESS, along with Kadin and Orci, and for HAWAII FIVE-0 with Orci.
“Star Trek,” which will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2016, is one of the most successful entertainment franchises of all time. The original “Star Trek” spawned a dozen feature films and five successful television series. Almost half a century later, the “Star Trek” television series are licensed on a variety of different platforms in more than 190 countries, and the franchise still generates more than a billion social media impressions every month.
Born from the mind of Gene Roddenberry, the original “Star Trek” series debuted on Sept. 8, 1966 and aired for three seasons – a short run that belied the influence it would have for generations. The series also broke new ground in storytelling and cultural mores, providing a progressive look at topics including race relations, global politics and the environment.
“There is no better time to give ‘Star Trek’ fans a new series than on the heels of the original show’s 50th anniversary celebration,” said David Stapf, President, CBS Television Studios. “Everyone here has great respect for this storied franchise, and we’re excited to launch its next television chapter in the creative mind and skilled hands of Alex Kurtzman, someone who knows this world and its audience intimately.”
“This new series will premiere to the national CBS audience, then boldly go where no first-run ‘Star Trek’ series has gone before – directly to its millions of fans through CBS All Access,” said Marc DeBevoise, Executive Vice President/General Manager – CBS Digital Media. “We’ve experienced terrific growth for CBS All Access, expanding the service across affiliates and devices in a very short time. We now have an incredible opportunity to accelerate this growth with the iconic ‘Star Trek,’ and its devoted and passionate fan base, as our first original series.”
“Every day, an episode of the ‘Star Trek’ franchise is seen in almost every country in the world,” said Armando Nuñez, President and CEO, CBS Global Distribution Group. “We can’t wait to introduce ‘Star Trek’s’ next voyage on television to its vast global fan base.”
CBS All Access offers its customers more than 7,500 episodes from the current television season, previous seasons and classic shows on demand nationwide, as well as the ability to stream local CBS stations live in more than 110 markets. Subscribers can use the service online and across devices via CBS.com, the CBS App for iOS, Android and Windows 10, as well as on connected devices such as Apple TV, Android TV, Chromecast, Roku players and Roku TV, with more connected devices to come.
The new television series is not related to the upcoming feature film “Star Trek Beyond,” which is scheduled to be distributed by Paramount Pictures in summer 2016
Doug Jones is a big pull if only because of his resume and his ability to work as aliens and general life forms. His work on Hellboy (sans the voice acting in the first film) were excellent. He is second, IMO, only to Serkis, in his ability to play non humans convincingly.
As for Rapp... I went to IMDB to check him out and I;ve actually watched a suprising amount of stuff that he has been in. I can't remember him in absolutely anything other than parts of "A Beautiful Mind" but... meh. [Reply]
Originally Posted by pr_capone:
As for Rapp... I went to IMDB to check him out and I;ve actually watched a suprising amount of stuff that he has been in. I can't remember him in absolutely anything other than parts of "A Beautiful Mind" but... meh.
I've seen Rapp in lots of movies, from Kingpin to Dazed and Confused, Road Trip and more. He's a highly decorated stage actor. Hollywood and New York Theater loves him.
But like you, I'm always "meh" about his acting. I don't see it. [Reply]
Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud:
I've seen Rapp in lots of movies, from Kingpin to Dazed and Confused, Road Trip and more. He's a highly decorated stage actor. Hollywood and New York Theater loves him.
But like you, I'm always "meh" about his acting. I don't see it.
Rapp peaked with Adventures in Babysitting. [Reply]
Sonequa Martin-Green, best known for her role as Sasha on AMC’s “The Walking Dead,” has signed on to play the central character in CBS All Access’ “Star Trek: Discovery” series.
Martin-Green will play a Lieutenant Commander on the ship the Discovery and the main face of the series. Specifics of the character are unavailable at this time.
Her casting comes shortly after three Klingon roles and three Starfleet officers have been cast. Michelle Yeoh, Doug Jones, Anthony Rapp, Shazad Latif, Mary Chieffo and Chris Obi also star.
“Star Trek: Discovery” is set a decade before the original “Star Trek” with the Federation and Klingon Empire in the midst of an uneasy cold war. The series will premiere in May on CBS All Access in the US and on Netflix in 188 countries. [Reply]
I thought the name of the ship was USS Discovery. Is it now the Shenzhou?
Also, they're casting a bunch of science officers. The gay character deals with space fungus apparently. Shouldn't they start caring about like... the chief engineer and all that?
Looks like I'm still gonna be pining for Dorn's Captain Worf series that will never happen :-) [Reply]
Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud:
Sonequa Martin-Green, ONLY known for her role as Sasha on AMC’s “The Walking Dead,” has signed on to play the central character in CBS All Access’ “Star Trek: Discovery” series.
FYP
I'll still give it a chance but holy shit... she is not a good actor. [Reply]
Originally Posted by RealSNR:
Also, they're casting a bunch of science officers. The gay character deals with space fungus apparently. Shouldn't they start caring about like... the chief engineer and all that?
Since this is all one story it's not a regular Trek cast. Like, if you were casting a particular episode of TNG the lead might be Worf, with Picard and Gowron as supporting characters, and Geordi and Crusher barely in it. [Reply]
There may be a delay in the scheduled May launch of Star Trek Discovery, the upcoming new series for CBS All Access, CBS’ live streaming and VOD service. The news came as the casting of James Frain was announced as Spock’s father, Sarek. First introduced in the original Star Trek, Sarek has made multiple appearances throughout the franchise over the last five decades.
“Production on Star Trek: Discovery begins next week,” CBS said in a statement. “We love the cast, the scripts and are excited about the world the producers have created. This is an ambitious project; we will be flexible on a launch date if it’s best for the show. We’ve said from the beginning it’s more important to do this right than to do it fast. There is also added flexibility presenting on CBS All Access, which isn’t beholden to seasonal premieres or launch windows.”
The network is not confirming a move from the scheduled May launch date, but notes there is more flexibility on timing given it is a streaming platform. Production was already scheduled to begin next week, so there is no delay on that front.
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James Frain is a fine actor but he looks nothing like Sarek