The beloved sci-fi franchise, Star Trek, is gearing up for a year-long celebration of its 60th anniversary. Announced on September 8, 2023—known as Star Trek Day—the festivities are poised to highlight the franchise’s enduring legacy and its message of hope and inclusivity. Paramount, the company behind the series, shared details of the upcoming celebrations, emphasizing a vision of a future that invites everyone to explore new horizons.
The anniversary will officially launch on January 1, 2024, with a float in the Rose Parade in California. This float will symbolize the values of hope, exploration, and community that have defined the series since its inception. The USS Enterprise crew, famously known for their mission to “boldly go where no man has gone before,” has captivated audiences since the original series, created by Gene Roddenberry, first aired in 1966.
New Series and Special Projects
Among the exciting new projects is the upcoming series Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, set to premiere on Paramount+ in early 2026. The show will focus on a group of young cadets as they navigate the challenges of becoming Starfleet officers while managing friendships and rivalries. A sneak peek of the series, featuring actors Holly Hunter and Paul Giamatti, was revealed at a Comic-Con event in July.
In addition to this, a new animated series titled Star Trek: Scouts is making its debut. Developed by Nickelodeon Digital Studio in collaboration with CBS Studio, this series represents the franchise’s first venture into preschool programming. It follows three eight-year-old friends training to become future Starfleet Explorers. The initial two episodes of the 20-episode series were released on September 8, 2023, with more episodes set to follow throughout the year.
Expanding the Franchise
The franchise is also launching a scripted podcast titled Star Trek: Khan, which released its first episode on the same day. This podcast will delve into the backstory of one of the franchise’s most iconic villains, Khan, who first appeared in a 1967 episode and later became the nemesis of the USS Enterprise crew in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, released in 1982. New episodes will be available weekly, offering fans a deeper understanding of this formidable character.
As Star Trek embarks on this milestone year, the franchise continues to celebrate its rich history while looking forward to new narratives and adventures. The commitment to inclusivity and exploration remains at the forefront, inviting fans old and new to join in the celebration.
