We’re mid-way through shooting the first season of Star Trek: Picard, and the show has finally named a showrunner.

CBS All Access put out a press release last week naming series writer Michael Chabon to the role, in which he will be supported by several other producers as well. While Chabon has an impressive resume of literature to his name, and several significant film writing credits, this will be his first job as showrunner - a role in which he will hold significant creative control and oversee the rest of the production team.

Alex Kurtzman, who is overseeing the expansion of the Star Trek franchise for CBS, said of the appointment: “Despite a laundry list of accomplishments most writers only dream of, Michael shines with the heart and soul of a Trekkie who’s finally found his dream job. We’re so fortunate to have him at the helm as we explore this next chapter in the great captain’s life.”

Chabon himself echoed Kurtzman’s sentiments, saying “Star Trek has been an important part of my way of thinking about the world, the future, human nature, storytelling and myself since I was ten years old. I come to work every day in a state of joy and awe at having been entrusted with the character and the world of Jean-Luc Picard, with this vibrant strand of the rich, intricate and complex tapestry that is Trek.”

The production team for Star Trek: Picard will be rounded out by Akiva Goldsman, Heather Kadin, James Duff, Trevor Roth and Rod Roddenberry, and of course Sir Patrick Stewart as executive producers, with Aaron Baiers as co-executive producer and Kirsten Beyer as supervising producer. The series is due to premiere later this year.