Lower Decks’ Tawny Newsome Opened Up About How The Animated Series Impacted The Live-Action Star Trek Comedy She’s Developing With Justin Simien

Lower Decks' Tawny Newsome Opened Up About How The Animated Series Impacted The Live-Action Star Trek Comedy She's Developing With Justin Simien

As a die-hard Trekkie with decades of Starfleet lore etched into my very being, I eagerly await the final season of Lower Decks. The impending departure of this quirky and hilarious cornerstone of the Star Trek universe is indeed bittersweet, but the prospect of a potential crossover with Picard and the 25th century setting Tawny Newsome has in mind for her upcoming series offer a glimmer of hope.


The final season of “Star Trek: Lower Decks” is nearly upon us, and while there are plenty of thrilling moments to anticipate – such as the surprise promotion for Harry Kim from “Voyager” – it also brings a sense of mixed feelings. We’re unsure about the long-term impact this series will have or if it might come back again, but here’s some optimistic news from star Tawny Newsome: She’s working on a future “Star Trek” series with Justin Simien, and it seems that “Lower Decks” has influenced its development in a positive way. I can’t wait to learn more about it!

Before Season 5 of “Lower Decks” aired on Paramount+, I had the opportunity to interview Newsome, along with other main cast members. I asked her, being the only one still involved in the franchise as a writer for the “Starfleet Academy” series and co-creator of the upcoming live-action comedy, if she would work towards preserving “Lower Decks'” legacy after its conclusion. The actress and writer was straightforward about this, mentioning one of the key reasons for setting the series with Justin Simien:

“I’ve always wanted to work with my friends on projects, and since we can’t bring them into our current reality without spoiling anything, we decided to set our idea in the 25th century. This way, we can include characters from different Star Trek franchises like Picard, Lower Decks, and even keep Jonathan Frakes’ face as it is without needing to de-age him. We haven’t planned anything yet, but that was the main reason for choosing this time period.

The actress mentioned that while the series hasn’t been given the go-ahead officially, she expressed her desire to collaborate with her co-stars from Star Trek: Lower Decks if the chance arises. It might not be the live-action spinoff some have envisioned, but Tawny Newsome and Justin Simien have developed a show that could pave the way for numerous appearances by characters hailing from the 25th century.

I Asked Star Trek’s Tawny Newsome About The Lower Decks And Strange New Worlds Crossover, And She Revealed Why One ‘Mariner-ism’ Wasn’t Possible To Do In Live-Action

Lower Decks' Tawny Newsome Opened Up About How The Animated Series Impacted The Live-Action Star Trek Comedy She's Developing With Justin Simien

Tawny Newsome talked to TopMob about the Lower Decks crossover the last time we spoke to her.

Tawny Newsome expresses a strong affection for the inclusion of Jonathan Frakes and the cast of Star Trek: Picard, noting that they will remain the same age as seen in Season 3. Given her deep enthusiasm for the franchise, it appears she is hinting at a potential connection between her show and the continuation of both Picard and Lower Decks, possibly paving the way for their ongoing existence.

Moving forward, here’s a brief overview: This intriguing live-action comedy being developed by an actress together with Justin Simien doesn’t reveal much more than its unique premise. We know that it revolves around two workers at a resort on a distant planet, who uncover the shocking truth that their daily lives are being televised across the entire quadrant. This setup seems to blend elements of The Truman Show and Star Trek, which I’m excited about if it holds up. Despite my curiosity about interstellar legalities concerning unauthorized filming in the 25th century, I trust that these questions will be addressed should the series come to fruition.

Prior to diving into that upcoming series, there’s the last season of “Star Trek: Lower Decks” left on our screens. Series creator Mike McMahan has assured us that it will deliver a satisfying conclusion for those who’ve been loyal fans throughout. As someone fortunate enough to sneak peek the initial five episodes of this season, I can attest it’s been an exhilarating journey so far, and I can hardly wait to find out how it all resolves!

Don’t miss the debut of Star Trek: Lower Decks Season 5 on Paramount+ this coming Thursday, October 24th. It’s part of an exciting lineup of shows set to return in 2024, making it a perfect opportunity for viewers to enjoy some quality TV as we approach the end of the year and look forward to 2025.

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2024-10-18 22:07