BREAKING: Bryan Fuller Tapped for Star Trek All Access Showrunner, New Show Set In New Timeline?

fuller

Bryan Fuller, veteran Star Trek writer (DS9 and VOY), has been tapped as co-creator and showrunner for CBS’s upcoming Star Trek television* series, set to debut in January 2017.

Apparently we might like our gagh with some Favre beans and a nice chianti.

CBS has tapped Bryan Fuller to be the showrunner for the new Star Trek series, Variety has reported this morning, working alongside Alex Kurtzman. Most recently he has been showrunner on NBC’s Hannibal, but he Science Fiction World all the way back in 2009 that he wanted his own Star Trek series.

Fuller said, “My very first experience of Star Trek is my oldest brother turning off all the lights in the house and flying his model of a D7 Class Klingon Battle Cruiser through the darkened halls. Before seeing a frame of the television series, the Star Trek universe lit my imagination on fire. It is without exaggeration a dream come true to be crafting a brand new iteration of Star Trek with fellow franchise alum Alex Kurtzman and boldly going where no Star Trek series has gone before.”

Fuller will bring with him some significant Trek cred. His IMDB page reads:

Self professed Star Trek geek who watched and loved the Trek series “Deep Space Nine” and set out to write for them. At the time, Star Trek had an open script submission policy and Fuller contributed a spec, leading to a pitching opportunity. When he had sold a couple of stories to Deep Space Nine, Fuller was hired to be a full staff writer for sister Trek series “Voyager” in its fourth season. He worked on Voyager for the remainder of its seven-year run, working his way up to co-producer of the series.

He has 20 Voyager credits to his name and two for DS9, which he has said is his favorite Trek series, according to Memory Alpha.

A new timeline for a new show?

According to Variety, “The creative plan is for the series to introduce new characters and civilizations, existing outside of the mythology charted by previous series and the current movie franchise.”

Does this mean yet another timeline for our new show?

Tell us what you think of the news in the comments!

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I liked HANNIBAL, he is good…i hope he can be creative without boundaries from the studio. Good Luck Bryan and Concratulations. Please find a new Way for STAR TREK. Cheers from Germany

I’m somewhat unsure about this.

Sounds promising!

Well. At least he is a Trek Geek. This may be a good thing for all of us Trek Geeks.

Great news.

Sorry I’m confused.. by other timeline do they mean alternate timeline or just a different time frame?

A new timeline sounds friggen awful. Hopefully they just mean it will be a new crew doing new things on a new ship.

Hey, now that’s a nice bit of good news! Although his shows keep getting canceled, people really love them. Plus he’s been in the Trek arena before, and should really boost the narrative heft of the new series from whatever Kurtzman will bring to the table.

Fuller is probably good news but you can judge his previous Trek work.

Voyager:
– Friendship One (2001) … (written by)
– Workforce: Part 2 (2001) … (story)
– Workforce: Part 1 (2001) … (written by)
– Flesh and Blood: Part 2 (2000) … (story)
– Flesh and Blood (2000) … (story) / (teleplay)
– The Haunting of Deck Twelve (2000) … (teleplay)
– Fury (2000) … (teleplay)
– Spirit Folk (2000) … (written by)
– One Small Step (1999) … (teleplay)
– Alice (1999) … (teleplay)
– Barge of the Dead (1999) … (story) / (teleplay)
– Relativity (1999) … (teleplay)
– Juggernaut (1999) … (story) / (teleplay)
– Course: Oblivion (1999) … (story) / (teleplay)
– Dark Frontier: Part 1 (1999) … (story editor)
– Gravity (1999) … (story) / (teleplay)
– Bride of Chaotica! (1999) … (story) / (teleplay)
– Drone (1998) … (story) / (teleplay)
– Living Witness (1998) … (teleplay)
– Retrospect (1998) … (teleplay)
– Mortal Coil (1997) … (written by)
– The Raven (1997) … (story) / (teleplay)

DS9
– Empok Nor (1997) … (story)
– The Darkness and the Light (1997) … (story)

As I understand it, a teleplay (like a screenplay) is a presentation of the story and dialogue. A script is more technical, describing camera angles and shots in addition to the story and dialogue.
So we have Fuller with teleplay and story credits….what are the “written by” credit exactly? The dialogue? The script?

Much better news than could have been expected from just Kurtzman’s (and thus JJTrek) leadership. Bryan Fuller gets Star Trek and has created and written some inventive and involving worlds such as Dead Like Me and Pushing Daisies. A big reason for optimism as the 50th anniversary and the new series draws nearer.

They probably mean new timeline as in not set in a parallel time, or a remake from TOS, TNG, VOY, or DS9. Most likely, further in the future than VOY. I imagine they’ll use the “rules” set from the movie franchise (i/e: New Vulcan, etc)

Fava beans.

PLEASE dont be a generation after Voyager.

Im torn on Fuller. I like that they brought in a Trek guy who considers DS9 his favourite Trek.

But Dead Like Me got a lot better after he was forced out. And while the gf loves Hanibal, I’ve never been able to get into it.

I generally cant recall details of most of those Voyager episodes so I cant say for sure if his episodes were among the best…

All new races and places ‘apart’ (or rather, far away from) the core mythology worlds is fine by me.

You know, provided that the crew is made up of classic Star Trek races. I want a damn Andorian already!

It would be awesome if this series picked up say… 15 years after the end of Nemesis… and featured production design in keeping with the Prime universe… and had absolutely nothing to do with the Abramsverse.

While I’m glad they got a former guy from the part of Trek I miss, I’m incredibly apprehensive about his past statements and the vague details given with this announcement.

Hopefully we get more news sooner than later.

On 2 March 2009 Fuller told iF Magazine that he is pushing for a new Star Trek TV series based on “old style” Star Trek. In the interview he stated that “I told my agent and told the people of J.J. Abrams’ team I want to create another Star Trek series and have an idea that I’m kicking around. I would love to return to the spirit of the old series with the colors and attitude. I loved Voyager and Deep Space Nine, but they seem to have lost the ’60s fun and I would love to take it back to its origin.” [1]

In 2013, Fuller added, “I think there’s something very exciting about the new J.J. Abrams-verse, and there’s also kind of an interesting reinvention. How would The Next Generation evolve from that? Where would that be? Where would that go? But there’s also… Star Trek is such a big universe, and there are so many places to go with it. I have a very specific idea that I would love to do. We’ll see if I ever get the opportunity.” [2]

@Will – beyond Nem just isnt practical. As high tech as the JJ Verse is, what will a series beyond Nem look like? Captains sitting in Mind Chairs on Earth controlling planet sized ships with their thoughts? No thanks.

There is SO much history left to be told between Enterprise and Nem. SHOW US THAT!

I still say, Captain Robert April is the way to go.

“According to Variety, ‘The creative plan is for the series to introduce new characters and civilizations, existing outside of the mythology charted by previous series and the current movie franchise.'”

I guess that kills my hope, which is for a Trek series set in the original series timeline, during the Enterprise’s five-year mission, using sets and costumes like those in “Trials and Tribble-ations.” As a bonus, Shatner, Takei, Koenig, and Nichols could make guest appearances as long as only their voices are used, like in a subspace message. Or Kevin Pollak if Shatner chooses not to participate.

I am encouraged, though, because I have enjoyed Fuller’s work in “Dead Like Me,” “Pushing Daisies” (especially), and “Wonderfalls.”

I’m betting it’ll be set in the prime timeline but in the 25th century so that its far enough away from being constrained by Star Trek’s past

Well, talent and a genuine Trek fan…. this should be good, right?

Don’t look for the old episodic format…

First and foremost, he’s a genuinely talented and inventive writer. Add to that his very earnest admiration of Trek and you’ve got the best news yet to come out of this whole deal.

This makes me hopeful for this new show. (Even more so)
For those of you with issues about his writing skills?
Hold on a minute.
DS9 and Voyager were formulaic.
As a budding writer, he had to pitch his ideas and then get his assignment.
Once he got the assignment, it went from treatment to draft and then subsequent drafts that went the Berman and Braga.
This young man also (probably) wanted to get paid for his work, probably picked his battles and realized you can only get so much approved by producers.
Once he proved himself as a writer who could write FILMABLE scripts, I’m guessing that’s when he got his staff writer and then onto producer.
Filmable as in, it could be shot on schedule and on budget and still somehow manage to be entertaining.
I’m the 1st AD on STNV and I watch (ok, marvel) at how the final shooting script can differ from the first draft.

Naysayers, give this man a chance.
He’s going to have to pick his battles creatively.
There’s a lot of $$$ riding on this new Trek and he probably has some marching orders from the CBS execs.
He will develop the show, the characters, the ship, timeline, EVERYTHING.
He then will have an approval by committee process for the cast, writers- all of it.

He knows how the studio system works, how production works, how to write a script.
This is good news, today, for Star Trek

If I were to choose ST veterans, I would have picked Ron D Moore, Ira Steven Behr or Manny Coto.

23 ^^ Exactly. His Voyager scripts were crap. So not sure abut this at all…

Excellent news. ‘Course: Oblivion’ & ‘Living Witness’ on VOY are some of my favorite episodes of that show, and his other drama series ‘Hannibal’ was great.

Hope the series will be set 50 or more years after NEM & explore new parts of the galaxy while having an overarching series arc.

if they stay true to the message that star trek gives like in the movies and shows I am sure it will be great I do not mind if its in a new timeline just as long they stay true to the original formula

re: 17. TUP – February 9, 2016

Why would anything in the prime universe have anything to do with the JJ verse? As I said, “and had absolutely nothing to do with the Abramsverse.”

I see a world where the Federation has an uneasy peace with the Romulans, the Klingons getting angry, Cardassia experiencing a pre-WWII Germany swell of anger and pride, heading further out into the universe(perhaps where Voyager has crossed paths occassionally and seeing how the actions of Janeway affected the long term sociopolitical world of those areas)…

I don’t see captains in mind chairs because I don’t accept anything that JJ has done as being a part of the prime universe and, as such, continuing after Nemesis means things would evolve naturally from the last point we actually saw the prime universe on screen.

But I do like your idea for a TOS thing… but I am also still feeling burned out on prequel settings.

Honestly, I’d still like to see the war with the Romulans from after Enterprise but prior to TOS(honestly, that was what I was looking forward to most with Enterprise)… but yeah, for this new show, I think going forward in the prime universe and ignoring JJ abrams is what I’d like to see… but not so far forward that what we wind up with is Star Trek : TNG : The Even Nexter Generation.

@Ahmed and others, how do you make a series set a generation or more after Nem practical? Why not make it 10,000 years later? Its the same thing.

I’m torn about this…

I think Bryan Fuller’s very good indeed, but after Hannibal, I think he’s too good for Star Trek. I’d rather see him create something new of his own invention for cable or streaming.

I’m a lifelong TOS Trek fan and looking forward to the new movie and the new show, but I just feel he’s better than Star Trek.

Captain Angela Bassett & First Officer Rosario Dawson anyone?
http://io9.gizmodo.com/the-captain-of-bryan-fullers-awesome-non-existent-tre-484411688

While I will give the show a chance, and will probably watch it even if it is crap, VOY, to me, ranks down there with ENT as some of the worst Star Trek ever. They were written like bad fan fiction.

DS9, TNG, TAS, and TOS, even their stinkers were still entertaining. VOY and ENT don’t live in my library, while the other four series do.

But, here’s hoping!

Gundam fans currently have nine universes to keep track of. I think trekkies can handle three.

It looks like he’s a good choice. Of course, the naysayers will say ‘nay’…

In the old 2009 interview he said this:

“I told my agent and told the people of J.J. Abrams’ team I want to create another Star Trek series and have an idea that I’m kicking around. I would love to return to the spirit of the old series with the colours and attitude. I loved Voyager and Deep Space Nine, but they seem to have lost the ‘60s fun and I would love to take it back to its origin.”

That sounds good! The new series should be fun and not feel sterile. Too many characters of TNG, VOY and ENT were boring and lacking charisma. DS9 was better in this regard, but they were lacking in the exploration part and overall I like a somewhat lighter tone. TOS is still my favourite because of this. Good balance between serious and fun and great characters.

I hope the new series will take its cues from TOS and simply modernize it for today’s viewers. I really, really hope they won’t repeat the mistake Stargate did, when they decided to turn away from fun, happy, optimistic to doom, gloom and darkness with Stargate Universe. Star Trek should remain optimistic and fun. There need to be a certain amount of seriousness of course, but don’t make it depressive to watch. Tone wise stay away from Stargate Universe and the new Battlestar Galatica series.

“The creative plan is for the series to introduce new characters and civilizations, existing outside of the mythology charted by previous series and the current movie franchise.”

I like this by the way. The writers should be really free. Some old races don’t have to exist. For example I really wouldn’t mind it, if there are no Klingons or Romulans. The Federation should have new neighbours, so there won’t be a repetition of conflicts already seen in the old series. And if the series should play in the 23th century, of course the future shouldn’t be already predetermined by what we have seen in TNG, DS9 and VOY. ENT suffered under this. I don’t want the same constrictions for the new series.

Outside of the existing timelines may mean nothing more then a program not developed around the concept of ship, captain, and crew. If what we knew about the Federation consisted solely of what has appeared on big and small screens, you’d wonder just what else there is out there. Hopefully, they’ll go exploring a bit. If we look to how broadcast and streaming drama is developed these days, there does seem to be a market for drama that does touch on the mythological, and is a bit more mature. Considering how successful the BSG reboot was, it would be good to see Trek follow suit.

Casting and concept will play a decisive role in the new show, in addition to execution. Enterprise and Voyager’s concepts were good but the shows soon turned into retreads of TNG.

I liked Fuller’s two DS9 episodes. But only two of all those VOY episodes: the aforementioned ‘Course: Oblivion’ and ‘Living Witness’. So I guess I am cautiously optimistic. I agree with #23 about the ST vets. I would have chosen Ron D Moore, Ira Steven Behr or Manny Coto.But it doesn’t matter because I won’t be paying for CBS’s all pass.

Simple economics. Simple logic.

@26. TUP,

“@Ahmed and others, how do you make a series set a generation or more after Nem practical? Why not make it 10,000 years later? Its the same thing.”

TNG/DS9/VOY were all set 75 years or so after TOS, they introduced new technologies like the holodeck, replicator. EMH & others. None of that made those series impractical.

The new team can set the series a 100 years after NEM, come up with some amazing technologies & you know what? That would be perfectly OK with me because at the end of the day Star Trek is not just about the technology but the characters & the universe they live in.

Cautiously optimistic about this. Please set it in the prime timeline though, and leave JJs shallow impression of Star Trek as a extremely derisive three-movie curio in the annals of future Trek history.

So many possibilities to explore, and with today’s advances in effects lets see if today’s writers can be as imaginative as the digital & practical tools that exist today to aid in the visuals of storytelling. Lets have a few genuine sci-fi authors in too rather than anything approaching fan fiction…

13 TUP

OK the important question for Fuller is would he be open for a Shatner appearance?????

Just stick it in the 25th century of the Prime timeline and have done with it!

Clean, simple, new……………………nah, that makes too much f*ckin’ sense!

Hoping for the best. The look of Trek needs updating from the Enterprise days. I suspect we need multi-story structures and long arcs. I would like to see a more adult approach to sex and relationships than most of the series attempted (DS9 was the best at that) and would like to see a stake through the heart of the technobabble monster.

Beyond that, it MUST have the feel and optimism of Trek and always include socially relevant stories and thought-provoking situations. Trek is not Star Wars. If we get another p-choo p-choo iteration (like JJ’s) then screw it. I’ll watch reruns.

This is great news. Fuller is awesome and takes enormous risks with his shows. Hannibal was the best network show I’ve seen in sometime, with the type of creative energy you normally see on cable and streaming services these days. Of course, this was ultimately Hannibal’s downfall, but still, a phenomenal show.

Can’t wait to see what he does with Trek!

i didn’t read all the comments above so if this is redundant forgive me. i would recommend a total reboot which incorporates the best that the multiple previous versions of strar trek have had. i woild combine it with an anthology format of different crews at deferent times so that significant actors/crew could be really killed off introducing a true sense of drama without breaking the budget. An arc plot line would underlie the stories linking them together for that season. . I would call it stardate.

Bryan Fuller is a great choice in seeing that he has written for DS9 and Voyager. He is someone who understood Star Trek and is a Star Trek fan unlike JJ Abrams. If it’s set in the 25th Century from the Prime timeline, I can go for that and Star Trek Online is set in the 25th Century. New characters and new civilizations may mean that we get away from the usual aliens we were used to seeing like the Klingons, Romulans, Cardassians, Borg, etc.

#16 TUP. “On 2 March 2009 Fuller told iF Magazine that he is pushing for a new Star Trek TV series based on “old style” Star Trek. In the interview he stated that “I told my agent and told the people of J.J. Abrams’ team I want to create another Star Trek series and have an idea that I’m kicking around. I would love to return to the spirit of the old series with the colors and attitude. I loved Voyager and Deep Space Nine, but they seem to have lost the ’60s fun and I would love to take it back to its origin.”

I remember reading this at the time. I’m stoked!! This can be really good. With Kutzman’s production company behind it it will most assuredly keep a lot of the sensibilities of the current movies as well. Sounds like a brand new adventure with a new crew exploring the Galaxy. Can’t wait!

At what point does the article mention it is another timeline?

I seriously think they should use the first timeline…that is the Prime Timeline.

#23 & #36 We are on a similar page. Bryan wrote for the 24th Century and even hinted at the 29th century in ST:VOY’s “Relativity (1999)” (The Federation had timeships). An official time-travel fleet would be an interesting dynamic to pursue for a Star Trek show.

Great news! I’m thrilled to see that he likes the optimistic future and the “60’s fun” of TOS. I’m hoping that means we won’t have evil Starfleet admirals and internal conspiracies and can get back to EXPLORING THE GALAXY.

I’m hoping for some Old — a Vulcan crewperson and some New — an interesting new race of aliens.

Oh, I guess it was the “outside of the mythology” line. Ha, I answered my own question.

But seriously that could mean we’re just gonna see a LOT of new stuff. Maybe more non-humanoid aliens and the like.

It doesn’t necessarily mean a new timeline or universe. At least I hope not.