Star Trek creator's son argues franchise is ready for "new stories" after steady stream of returning characters

Star Trek is at an uncertain stage in its 60-year history – but creator Gene Roddenberry's son has an idea of where it could go next.

Rod Roddenberry, who was born eight years after Star Trek first premiered in 1966, has suggested that the franchise needs to embrace new stories, rather than bringing back old cast members and characters.

In recent years, modern Trek has paid homage to its early years in various different ways, from the spin-off Strange New Worlds, which is set in the years before The Original Series, and includes many of the same characters, to Starfleet Academy, which told a new story but included cast member Robert Picardo, who reprised his role as the Doctor.

Speaking to People, Rod said: “I think Star Trek is ready for new stories. Going back to the well, in my opinion, and bringing [previous cast] or characters ... We’ve done that. Let’s start out on a new adventure.”

“We’re certainly entering a unique time right now with technology and all sorts of things, and to explore that more in a respectful, careful, but optimistic way would probably not be too bad of an idea. But it’s also gotta be a good story too. So I’m not sure what that looks like yet.”

With Star Trek turning 60 earlier this year, Star Trek boss Alex Kurtzman also previously opened about the franchise's future, stressing the importance of fans being able to enter into the franchise fresh.

He told Radio Times: “There's a perception, I think a lot of the time, that because it's 60 years’ worth of storytelling, it's very difficult to enter into that fresh, and obviously we want to grow Star Trek for future generations. Otherwise it won't be around.

"In order to do that, we have to tell stories that are, in some ways, modular, that don't require you to have watched 60 years of television. If you have watched 60 years of television, it's an even richer experience. But if you haven't, it's totally okay."

Coming up next for the franchise, there's the release of Strange New Worlds season 5 next year (the final seasons) and Starfleet Academy season 2.

Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley also recently revealed a long-awaited update on their movie, which will focus on a group of brand-new characters, moving away from reuniting casts from previous Star Trek projects.

Perhaps that's exactly what Rod is looking for!

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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.