Gretchen Berg and Aaron Harberts, who wrote three episodes of Bryan Fuller’s “Wonderfalls” and three episodes of Fuller’s “Pushing Daisies,” have succeeded Fuller as the new showrunners of “Star Trek: Discovery,” the new hourlong launching on CBS All Access next May.
Screenwriter Akiva Goldsman (the Matt LeBlanc “Lost In Space” movie, “Batman Forver,” “Batman & Robin”) is joining the STD writing staff.
CBS released this statement:
“We are extremely happy with the creative direction of Star Trek: Discovery and the strong foundation that Bryan Fuller has helped us create for the series. Due to Bryan’s other projects, he is no longer able to oversee the day-to-day of Star Trek, but he remains an executive producer, and will continue to map out the story arc for the entire season. Alex Kurtzman, co-creator and executive producer, along with Fuller’s producing partners and longtime collaborators, Gretchen Berg & Aaron Harberts, will also continue to oversee the show with the existing writing and producing team. 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.”
One of the other things keeping Fuller busy is his showrunning duties on “American Gods,” which hits Starz early next year.
The “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine” and “Star Trek: Voyager” vet who co-wrote the STD pilot and will continue to be credited as STD executive producer, Fuller gave Berg and Harberts his blessing on Twitter:
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
Fuller in August described Berg and Harberts as STD’s “co-showrunners.”
Berg & Harberts, who began collaborating while students at Northwestern University, created 2006’s short-lived Rebecca Romijn hourlong “Pepper Dennis.” They collaborated with longtime “Star Trek” writer Ronald D. Moore on the sci-fi hourlong “Roswell.” Their other writing credits include “Beverly Hills 90210,” “John Doe,” “North Shore,” “Women’s Murder Club,” “Mercy,” “Off The Map,” “GCB,” “Revenge” & “Reign.”
Goldsman had a hand in at least 19 teleplays for Fox’s “Fringe.” His big-screen credits also include “The Client,” “Silent Fall,” “A Time To Kill,” “Practical Magic,” “A Beautiful Mind,” “I, Robot,” “Cinderella Man,” “The Da Vinci Code,” “I Am Legend,” “Angels & Demons,” “Winter’s Tale,” “Insurgent,” “The Fifth Wave” and the upcoming “Rings” and “The Dark Tower.”
Production of STD, set a decade before Kirk & Spock's five-year mission, is scheduled to begin next month so we should see some casting announcements in the very near future.
