CBS has unleashed the first full trailer for its upcoming sci-fi prequel series, Star Trek: Discovery. The show will premier in the U.S. this fall on CBS, with subsequent episodes being available through CBS All Access (CBS’s new subscription streaming service). Star Trek: Discovery will also be distributed internationally on Netflix in 188 countries and through Bell Media’s Space channel and CraveTV in Canada.
Set 10 years before the original Star Trek TV series, Star Trek: Discovery will follow the starship Discovery in its voyage to discover new worlds and new lifeforms, as seen through the eyes of First Officer Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green).
Watch the trailer below to get your first glimpse, and see fresh-off-Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2 star Michelle Yeoh as Captain Georgiou.
Judging by the trailer, the new show will be light years ahead of previous Trek series in terms of production values, with visuals and special effects that rival J.J .Abrams’ cinematic re-imagining of Star Trek. In short, no polyester tunics or fake-looking forehead prosthetics, and a lot more lens flare.
In fact, Star Trek: Discovery will take place in the classic Prime Universe and not the alternate timeline Abrams-verse. So could this mean the long-awaited (by me, anyway) return of William Shatner as Captain James T. Kirk? (I mean, it’s Star Trek – there’s got to be at least one time-travel episode.) However, classic Trek fans can look forward to seeing one familiar character: the role of Sarek, Spock’s father, will be played by James Frain (Gotham).
The first season of Star Trek: Discovery will feature 15 episodes, which is up from the previously announced 13. Each episode will be followed a companion after-show, Talking Trek, that will undoubtedly feature Discovery stars and creators providing insight into what just happened, similar to Talking Dead.
Along with Seth McFarlane’s upcoming sci-fi spoof series, The Orville – which is not-so-subtly influenced by Star Trek – this fall could be the 50th anniversary celebration we’ve been waiting for. Only one year off.
