Due to other TV commitments (read: American Gods and a reboot of Steven Spielberg’s Amazing Stories), Bryan Fuller is exiting Star Trek Discovery at CBS All Access, leaving Gretchen J. Berg and Aaron Harberts to take his place as showrunners.
Word of the shake-up was first reported by Variety, confirming that Berg and Harberts – who had worked with Fuller previously across both Pushing Daisies and Wonderfalls – will now take point at the Bridge, and though there’s still no mention of casting, CBS has earmarked Discovery for a May 2017 premiere.
The official statement from the network reads as so: “Bryan is a brilliant creative talent and passionate Star Trek fan, who has helped us chart an exciting course for the series. We are all committed to seeing this vision through and look forward to premiering Star Trek: Discovery this coming May 2017.”
Initially delayed from January to May so that Fuller could focus on Starz’s upcoming adaptation of American Gods, it seems a prolonged period in pre-production and a subsequent lack of progress led to CBS’ decision. The exit appears to an amicable one, though, with Fuller taking to Twitter to endorse Gretchen J. Berg and Aaron Harberts in their new roles.
Riker spent 7 years of TNG unready for Captaincy, @GretchenJBerg @AaronHarberts are ready. Thrilled to see them in command of the Bridge.
— Bryan Fuller (@BryanFuller) October 27, 2016
Star Trek Discovery will finally zoom onto the small-screen next May. That places the onus on CBS to locate its principal cast sooner rather than later, particularly when you consider that plans are in place for filming to commence in Canada next month. Stay tuned for more.