Star Trek writer Akiva Goldsman reveals why Doctor Who crossover never happened

Star Trek legend Akiva Goldsman has opened up about the Doctor Who crossover that almost happened in his show Strange New Worlds – and what prevented it.

The writer created the beloved Trek spin-off, which follows the crew of the USS Enterprise in the decade before The Original Series.

It was previously confirmed that a Doctor Who crossover nearly happened, with Goldsman now explaining: "Russell [T Davies] and I talked. We were like, 'Okay, let's do a crossover,' and we were plotting it out. There were too many grown-ups that were saying no. But I understand."

While the crossover never happened, Goldsman made it his personal mission to drop in as many Doctor Who Easter eggs as possible, including a shot of the TARDIS making its way past the Enterprise, and suggesting that Pelia (Carol Kane) was once a companion.

"I have thrown in literally every possible – by the way, without getting sued – I've, you know, tried to throw in every possible opportunity for an imagined intersection in the past," Goldsman added.

As for if there will be more Easter eggs in the future?

"I don't think so. I think the last one was this season – I could be wrong, but that's what I remember."

Previously, Davies and and Star Trek boss Alex Kurtzman spoke on a panel together, with both expressing their desires to make a crossover happen.

Davies said at the time: "We would love to announce a crossover between Star Trek and Doctor Who [but we aren’t doing that today].

"If anyone can make that happen… it’s fans that can make that happen! Two great big broadcasters, two great big empires — and their lawyers! — would have to come together, but we can do that, can’t we?

"Quite seriously, I’d love it. That [montage] video, that shows you what it would feel like, what it would look like… the joy of it. It must happen!"

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is available to stream on Paramount+. Doctor Who is available to stream on BBC iPlayer. Dive into our Doctor Who story guide: reviews of every episode since 1963, plus cast & crew listings, production trivia, and exclusive material from the Radio Times archive.

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Authors

Louise Griffin is the Sci-Fi & Fantasy Editor for Radio Times, covering everything from Doctor Who, Star Wars and Marvel to House of the Dragon and Good Omens. She previously worked at Metro as a Senior Entertainment Reporter and has a degree in English Literature.