Akiva Goldsman Has Hope For More 'Star Trek' Crossovers

STAR TREK: LOWER DECKS might not be the only crossover with STAR TREK: STRANGE NEW WORLDS.

MAY 24, 2023 - After a blink-and-you-missed-it clip of live-action Ensigns Beckett Mariner and Brad Boimler from the animated Star Trek: Lower Decks appeared briefly online, fan interest in the teased crossover between the cartoon and Star Trek: Strange New Worlds was reignited. Now, Strange New Worlds showrunner and co-creator Akiva Goldman is stoking those flames by hinting at more crossovers to come.

"I am as promiscuous as it comes when we discuss the crossing over into other series timelines. I delight in that," Goldman said.

In addition to Lower Decks, the Trek shows currently in production for possible crossovers are the animated series Star Trek: Prodigy and the upcoming Star Trek: Starfleet Academy. While neither of these shows seem like a candidate for crossover given their position in the timeline, a third possibility might include characters from the upcoming event film Star Trek: Section 31 which will focus on the mirror universe's Philippa Georgiou and her adventures as a member of Starfleet's Section 31 division. Michelle Yeoh will reprise her role from Star Trek: Discovery. As Discovery was the show that introduced (or reintroduced) the characters of Strange New Worlds, the fit seems easier.

In any case, Goldman said his predilection for crossovers won’t be indulged simply for the sake of doing it, as much as he and fans might enjoy it.

“I think our rule is always it can't just be fanservice – which is not to say that we don't love servicing fans, but there also has to be a real storytelling get," he said. "Of which I think there are many."

As for the upcoming crossover, Goldman isn’t the only one excited for fans to see the finished product. The episode was directed by Jonathan Frakes, famous to most for his appearances in front of the camera as Star Trek: The Next Generation’s Will Riker. Frakes practically gushed as he described working with the cast of the episode.

“Oh god, it's so good," Frakes said. "I have Jack Quaid and Tawny Newsome, who are both amazing. It was such a treat for me because it is a flat-out comedy. Full on. And they're fearless over there, they take some really big swings on Strange New Worlds.”

It makes sense that the episode would play as a comedy since Lower Decks doesn’t take itself seriously. However, fans of Strange New Worlds know that the show has been known to have a sense of humor as well. Frakes said the energy Quaid and Newsome brought was liberating for the cast of Strange New Worlds.

“Anson's a wonderful comedian, very dry, but so's Rebecca,” Frakes said. “It encouraged Ethan and everyone, there were just a lot of positives that came out of them having the guts to do a full-on comedy, let alone a crossover with an animated show."

Strange New Worlds season 2 will premiere on Paramount+ on June 15 with new episodes on Thursdays. There is no word yet when the crossover episode will air, but you can read up on the recent interviews at ComicBook.com.