‘Star Trek: Prodigy’ Saved By Netflix
‘Star Trek: Prodigy‘ flies again as it’s announced Netflix has picked up both Season 1, and the produced but unaired Season 2 of the animated series following its cancellation by Paramount+.
Whilst ‘Star Trek: Prodigy’ is billed as the first Star Trek series aimed at younger audiences, for those of you who were fans of ‘Star Trek: Voyager’, it is actually well worth a look! The show follows a motley crew of young aliens who must figure out how to work together while navigating a greater galaxy, in search of a better future. These six young outcasts know nothing about the ship they have commandeered – a first in the history of the Star Trek franchise – but over the course of their adventures together, they will each be introduced to Starfleet and the ideals it represents.
“Thank you to our incredible Star Trek: Prodigy fans, who championed not just a show, but a community that’s always been connected by the belief that we build a better future together,” said executive producer Alex Kurtzman and co-showrunners Dan and Kevin Hageman. “We set out to inspire you, but you inspired us. The team is still hard at work on the second season, and we can’t wait to share it with the amazing fans around the world.”
The cast includes Rylee Alazraqui (‘Doug Unplugs’, ‘Home Economics’) as “Rok-Tahk,” a Brikar and an unusually bright eight-year-old girl. Rok is a bit shy, but not when it comes to her love for animals; Brett Gray (‘On My Block’, ‘When They See Us’) as “Dal,” 17 years old and an unknown species, he fancies himself a maverick, who even in the toughest times, holds strong onto his unwavering hope; Angus Imrie (‘The Crown’, ‘Emma’) as “Zero,” who is a Medusan: a noncorporeal, genderless, energy-based lifeform. Since others would go mad at the sight of their true self, Zero wears a containment suit they made themselves to protect others; Jason Mantzoukas (‘Infinite’, ‘Big Mouth’) as “Jankom Pog,” a 16-year-old Tellarite. Tellarites are known to relish an argument, and Jankom is no different. Regardless of opinion, he will always play ‘devil’s advocate’ for the sake of hearing all sides; Ella Purnell (‘Army of the Dead’, ‘Sweetbitter’) as “Gwyn,” a 17-year-old Vau N’Akat who was raised on her father’s bleak mining planet and grew up dreaming to explore the stars; And Dee Bradley Baker (‘SpongeBob SquarePants’, ‘Dora the Explorer’, and all the animated Star Wars clones) as “Murf,” whose age and species is unknown but who is an endearing, indestructible blob with curiously good timing and an insatiable appetite for ship parts.
The series also sees Kate Mulgrew (‘Star Trek: Voyager’) reprise her iconic role as Kathryn Janeway. However, in this case, we meet Janeway as the ‘Star Trek: Prodigy’ starship’s built-in emergency training hologram. Other voices are provided by John Noble (Fringe, Elementary, Lord of the Rings) as The Diviner, Jimmi Simpson (Westworld, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia) as Drednok, Daveed Diggs (Hamilton, Snowpiercer) as Commander Tysess, Jameela Jamil (The Good Place, She-Hulk: Attorney at Law) as Ensign Asencia, Jason Alexander (Seinfeld, Marvelous Mrs. Maisel) as Doctor Noum, Robert Beltran as Captain Chakotay, and Billy Campbell (Dynasty, The Killing) as Thadiun Okona.
“I’ve always held that the Star Trek fan base is among the strongest and most intelligent in the world. They have shown their collective passion, and we’re happy to be able to celebrate Prodigy once again,” commented Mulgrew about the pick-up.
Whilst the show is certainly aimed at a younger audience than the live-action Trek series, it manages to hit the same sweet spot as the Star Wars franchise did with the ‘Clone Wars’ and ‘Rebels’ animated series. There are plenty of references in there to keep longtime Trek fans happy, whilst also indoctrinating… I mean, “introducing”… a younger generation to the franchise.
‘Star Trek: Prodigy’ is developed by Emmy Award winners Kevin and Dan Hageman (Trollhunters and Ninjago), along with Alex Kurtzman and his team at Secret Hideout. The series is from CBS Studios’ Eye Animation Productions, Nickelodeon Animation, Secret Hideout, and Roddenberry Entertainment. Alex Kurtzman, Heather Kadin, Aaron Baiers, Rod Roddenberry and Trevor Roth serve as executive producers, alongside co-showrunners Kevin and Dan Hageman. Ben Hibon directs, executive produces, and serves as the creative lead of the animated series. Aaron Waltke and Patrick Krebs also currently serve as co-executive producers.
‘Star Trek: Prodigy‘s previously aired Season 1 will be run again later this year on Netflix, followed by the completed but unaired Season 2 premiering in 2024, exclusively on Netflix. If you want to keep track of this show you can add it via our Never Miss system, and you’ll be notified when it gets a UK premiere date.
