It’s been a while since we had any big updates for Trek, so I’m excited to see a whole host of news coming in from New York Comic-Con. So let us run down what we know so far!
Red Alert, We’ve Got Star Trek Prodigy News Incoming!
Even a holographic training captain needs her number one! Yes, Robert Beltran returns as Captain Chakotay (Yes, Captain! Poor one out of Harry). As part of this previous weekend’s NY Comic-Con, we got the official announcement. There had been some fan speculation as to returning Alpha Quadrant Alumni for some time. Could this set us up for further appearances? Who knows? By this point in the series, Janeway was promoted to Admiral, so there’s an empty chair on Voyager…it would be the perfect chance to bring back some familiar faces!
Initially, when originally auditioning for the role, Beltran knew very little about Star Trek, in discussion for the role, he spoke to StarTrek.com
My agent asked me if I was interested in going in to audition for the role. I read the “Caretaker” script, although I had no idea no idea of Star Trek. I didn’t know Star Trek from anything. But I liked “The Caretaker” script and the role of Chakotay. So I said, “Yes, I will be happy to go in and audition.” I did, and I got the role. When I was telling friends and family what my new gig was going to be, I was amazed by the response that I got.
But Beltran isn’t the only name coming to Prodigy. We’ve got three big names beaming onto the bridge. (Or stepping into sound booths if you’re not as dramatic as me).
Daveed Diggs – Star of TNT’s adaption of Snowpiercer, and with a Grammy and Tony award under his belt from the Broadway production of Hamilton, Diggs is joining Prodigy as Commander Tysess, an Andorian!
Jameela Jamil – Best known for her role as Tahani from NBC’s The Good Place, and for a yet unknown role in the upcoming Disney+ series She-Hulk, Jamil will be playing Ensign Asencia, a trill!
Jason Alexander is voicing Doctor Noum, a Tellarite — The actor still best known for his role as George Costanza on Seinfeld returns to Star Trek, after appearing as Kurros in the 1999 Voyager episode “Think Tank,” and hosting the 1999 UPN special Ultimate Trek: Star Trek’s Greatest Moments.
I’m a Doctor, not a…well, no he is a Doctor. To be precise, Doctor Noum. A Tellarite Doctor. (Okay that as a concept alone sounds so cool). Famous for his role as George Costanza from a little show called Seinfeld, Alexander is no stranger to Star Trek, having previously appeared as Kurros in Voyagers fifth series episode “Think Tank”
Prodigy Guiding New Fans To Star Trek
Those who were lucky enough to attend the Prodigy panel at NYCC were treated to an advanced screening of the pilot titled:
“Lost & Found” – A group of lawless teens, exiled on a mining colony outside Federation space, discover a derelict Starfleet ship. Dal must gather an unlikely crew for their newfound ship if they are going to escape Tars Lamora, but the Diviner and his daughter Gwyn have other plans.
During the panel, the series Co-creator Kevin Hageman addressed about how the series will welcome new viewers to the Star Trek universe
Kevin Hageman: As you saw in the pilot, they start way out in the Delta Quadrant. That was our way in. We wanted a bunch of new characters who knew nothing about Star Trek, just like our young audience. And slowly, as you saw at the very end of the pilot, there’d be hologram Janeway. And then with every other episode, we get closer and closer into the Trek-verse. We get to have so much fun taking our time, and introducing everything we love about Star Trek…For me growing up Trek was just so aspirational. And I feel like, not only for kids today, that they need that. I need that.
Weighing in on how this isn’t just a show for kids, Kevin’s brother Dan said:
Dan Hageman: I want to open it up. It’s not just for young people. I think there’s a lot of people out there who are curious about Star Trek, but they may be intimidated. There’s a lot of Star Trek out there. Where do we start? How do we know the difference between Romulan and Vulcan? And this is a show that is going to help anyone, not only a new generation, but people who are curious about Star Trek and want to jump in. This will guide them right into the into the franchise.
Genes Vision Lives On In Star Trek: Prodigy
NYCC brought the debut of the pilot “Lost & Found” not just for the fans but it was also the first time the cast had seen the finished article, upon seeing the episode, Trek legend Kate Mulgrew got emotional and had this to say about her latest outing at the intrepid Janeway:
Kate Mulgrew: I got very emotional standing backstage watching this animated incarnation of Star Trek. And there’s a very good reason for that. The philosophy behind this will reverberate in infinity. It is a wonderful idea that [Gene] Roddenberry had about the human spirit, about transcendence of all kinds of obstacles. And especially after this bloody pandemic to have something wonderful to look forward to. And that’s Star Trek.
Later in the panel when the cast was asked about how they came to Star Trek, Mulgrew said Janeway was her first introduction to this amazing world:
Kate Mulgrew: Growing up we were only allowed to watch Notre Dame football… I too came to Star Trek as an innocent. And I think that actually stood Janeway in good stead. I came into it knowing nothing. And now I wouldn’t dream of being without it.
So with Andorians, Trill and Tellarite joining the chew, there is some speculation that this might be a certain someone’s bridge crew on a certain Intrepid Class ship? Look, I’m holding out hope here people. But I wouldn’t say no to newer and cooler ship designs.
Star Trek: Prodigy is set to premiere on October 28, 2021, on Paramount+ with the first 10-episode season.
As of publication, there is little to no Information regarding its international release, however, make sure you keep an eye on our social media platforms as we will announce any developments as they happen.
