A Classic Star Trek Crew Member Is Officially Returning For New Next Generation Sequel Series

Published Oct 6, 2026, 2:04 PM EDT

Shaun Corley has been with ScreenRant for over 5 years, and is currently the Coordinator for PR and Outreach for the Comics Team.

A classic Star Trek character is returning for a new The Next Generation sequel series. Star Trek: The Next Generation is one of the most beloved science fiction series of all time, and continues to find fans nearly 40 years after it premiered, thanks in part to its well-written and well-cast ensemble of actors. Led by Shakespearean actor Patrick Stewart, the crew of the Enterprise kept the galaxy safe from the likes of the Borg and the Cardassians.

Star Trek: The Next Generation introduced many new characters to the mythos, such as Doctor Beverly Crusher. Played by Gates McFadden, Doctor Crusher was the Chief Medical Officer aboard the Enterprise. Crusher had a long history with Captain Picard: her husband served under Jean-Luc, and died on his watch. Despite this, Crusher and Picard remain friends, and the show even teased at romantic/sexual tensions between the two. Save one episode in the show’s seventh season, The Next Generation never explored this aspect of Crusher and Picard’s relationship.

Then, in 2023, the final season of Star Trek: Picard aired, revealing that Jean-Luc and Doctor Crusher had a son, presumably conceived not long after Nemesis, the final Next Generation movie. Fans also learned that Doctor Crusher and Picard had not spoken to each other since, and she kept the child’s existence a secret from his father. The season did not go into detail on what Crusher had been up to during those long years, but now a new series is coming along to fill in those gaps, and it is written by none other than Gates McFadden herself.

Doctor Crusher Returns to Star Trek Next Year, With Gates McFadden In Tow

Star Trek: Crusher Will Show What Happened After Nemesis

Image courtey of Variety

As reported today in Variety, IDW Publishing will release Star Trek: Crusher in the summer of 2027. The comic will be written by McFadden, making her industry debut, and drawn by Star Trek comics veteran Megan Levens with colors by Charlie Kirchoff. IDW did not disclose any of Star Trek: Crusher’s plot, other than it would be set in the years between Nemesis and Picard’s finale. IDW did share a cover of Star Trek: Crusher, provided here.

Gates McFadden brought Doctor Beverly Crusher to life on screen, and now IDW is giving her the opportunity to do the same in comics. McFadden was excited to make her comics writing debut, saying:

I’ve spent years bringing the words of other great writers to life in Beverly’s shoes, so it’s inspiring and thrilling to now be the one scripting a new chapter in this fabulous character’s saga. I’m excited for Star Trek fans to read this comic and I’m so grateful for their continued support.

In addition, Davidi Jonas, CEO of IDW, had this to say about McFadden’s involvement in the project:

We are so fortunate to have Gates McFadden beam into the world of comics and reprise her role of Beverly Crusher, but this time as the writer. There is a 20 year gap in the fan-favorite character’s story. Who better to tell it than Beverly Crusher herself?

IDW will release more details on Star Trek: Crusher in the months ahead.

Other Star Trek Actors Have Gotten Involved With Their Characters Outside of Television

Gates McFadden will be joining some illustrious company when she writes her first Star Trek comic next year. Several Star Trek actors have composed books or comics based on the characters they portrayed. Andrew Robinson, who played Garak on Deep Space Nine, wrote an entire novel based around the Cardassian spy turned tailor. JG Hertzler, who depicted the wise Klingon general Martok, has also written a book about his character. Malibu Comics, who produced Star Trek comics in the 1990s, had a “Celebrity Series” as well: one-shots written by the actors.

Bringing in Star Trek actors to write stories involving their characters is a stroke of genius.

Bringing in Star Trek actors to write stories involving their characters is a stroke of genius. Gates McFadden, Andrew Robinson and the rest spent years inhabiting these characters’ headspaces, making them ideal to keep their adventures going. Stories like Crusher are unique in that they come from a genuine place, and this is reflected in the quality of the stories and fidelity to the source material.

Gates McFadden made Star Trek history in 1994 when she became the first woman cast member to direct an episode.

Get Ready Next Generation Fans: Doctor Crusher Is Coming Back

Doctor Crusher’s impending return to the Star Trek franchise next summer is a cause for celebration. Picard’s third season only provided the barest of hints at what Doctor Crusher had been up to since The Next Generation ended, and this series will show what happened. Fans will learn about Jack Crusher’s birth and witness his formative years growing up, helping his mother help other people. The series may also look at what finally drove Picard and Beverly apart as well, allowing fans to see the story from her point of view.