Star Trek writer reveals details of scrapped William Shatner cameo - including sequel to 59-year-old story

Star Trek legend Akiva Goldsman has revealed some of the ideas he had to feature William Shatner in his series, Strange New Worlds.

The writer has been open about his ambitions for the legendary actor to make a cameo in the spin-off, which follows the crew of the Enterprise in the years before James T Kirk sat in the captain's chair.

Speaking exclusively to Radio Times, Goldsman said: "We had a couple of really interesting ideas. We were going to do one in the style of [The Animated Series]. Was there a way of having Pike's crew and Kirk's crew in a TAS universe?"

He added: "And then I had this idea, which I did talk to Mr Shatner about, and I think he was interested in it... it was City on the Edge of Forever, had they lived and had Kirk stayed.

"Joan Collins and William Shatner are still here and still acting, and I thought, 'Just do a drama,' and see the choice he made and the choices he could have made and what would that be?

"It's my favourite episode so let these actors and the audience share that experience, and boy, did I want to do it."

Despite Goldsman's best efforts, the cameo never came to fruition - but, as Star Trek turns 60, he has paid homage to The Original Series in countless other ways in Strange New Worlds.

"I think it was a lot of trial and error for all of us in this modern era of Star Trek," he reflected. "I think some things became very informative over the course of the last decade or so. One [lesson] is: chase the Star Trek you love – don't try to extrapolate it into something else."

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is available to stream on Paramount+. Sign up to your seven-day Paramount+ free trial.

Add Strange New Worlds to your watchlist on the Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more.

Check out more of our Sci-fi coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.

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.