The “Star Trek” series currently in the works at CBS Television Studios has enlisted Nicholas Meyer, the director of “Star Trek II: Wrath of Khan” to write and produce the new series, TheWrap has learned.
Meyer, who also co-wrote “Star Trek IV” and co-wrote and directed “Star Trek VI,” will serve as a writer and consulting producer on the new series that will premiere in 2017 on CBS All Access.
“Nicholas Meyer chased Kirk and Khan ’round the Mutara Nebula and ’round Genesis’ flames, he saved the whales with the Enterprise and its crew, and waged war and peace between Klingons and the Federation,” series showrunner Bryan Fuller said. “We are thrilled announce that one of ‘Star Trek’s’ greatest storytellers will be boldly returning as Nicholas Meyer beams aboard the new ‘Trek’ writing staff.”
Fuller, who previously wrote for “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine” and “Star Trek: Voyager,” was named showrunner of the series earlier this month.
Alex Kurtzman will serve as executive producer for the new “Star Trek” TV series along with Heather Kaden. Kurtzman co-wrote and produced the blockbuster 2009 film “Star Trek” with Roberto Orci, and co-wrote 2013’s “Star Trek Into Darkness” 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 production banner.
The series will not be related to the third installment in the franchise, “Star Trek Beyond,” which is scheduled to be distributed by Paramount Pictures in summer 2016. It will instead focus on new characters boldly going where no one has gone before.
It will premiere with a special preview broadcast on CBS. The premiere episode and all subsequent first-run episodes will then be available exclusively in the U.S. on CBS All Access, the network’s digital subscription video on demand and live streaming service.
This marks the first original series developed specifically for U.S. audiences for CBS All Access. 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.