Published : 10 Sep 2026, 02:02 AM
Updated : 16 Sep 2026, 11:49 AM
The "Star Trek" franchise has turned 60, with Sept 8 marking the anniversary of the Original Series' first broadcast in 1966, according to Space.com.
Birthdays give a chance to blow out the candles and look both back and ahead, and this one offers a moment to take stock of the franchise's TV output, film prospects and the events marking 60 years.
The milestone comes at an uncertain moment for the franchise. There are currently no "Star Trek" shows in production, following the most fertile period for "Trek" on television since the 1990s.
Since "Discovery" launched in 2017, the franchise has produced a wide range of shows under executive producer Alex Kurtzman. These include "Lower Decks", "Picard", "Strange New Worlds" and "Prodigy".
At one point in 2022-23, five "Trek" shows were in production simultaneously.
But "Strange New Worlds" season five and "Starfleet Academy" season two, both already filmed, will be their final outings. Rumoured spin-offs including a "Picard" sequel and a "Strange New Worlds" prequel remain unconfirmed, reported Space.com.
"Strange New Worlds" co-showrunner Henry Alonso Myers said in August that decisions on future projects rested with Paramount, not the creative teams.
Paramount+ Originals executives have said the franchise remains a priority, with talks under way with writers and CBS Studios on its next iteration. A "Star Trek" film is also in development at Paramount Pictures, according to Space.com.
Movies in limbo
On the film side, it has been a decade since "Star Trek Beyond" closed out the Kelvin-verse trilogy.
Several scripts were developed but never made, including one pairing Chris Pine and Chris Hemsworth as father and son, and a pitch from Quentin Tarantino.
Paramount is now working on a new film, Space noted, which is written by "Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves" duo Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley. It will feature new characters and draw inspiration from "Training Day" and "Crimson Tide".
Marking the milestone
Unlike past anniversaries, there is no special birthday episode this year.
Celebrations instead include a live reading of the franchise's debut episode by the cast of "The Pitt", commemorative coins, themed episodes of game shows, and an attempt by London's Science Museum to set a world record for the largest simultaneous Vulcan salute, said the website dedicated to space exploration, astronomy, and skywatching.
The franchise's back catalogue, nearly 1,000 episodes and 13 films, mostly available on Paramount+, remains intact for fans marking the occasion.
