Star Trek Lower Decks Live-Action? Tawny Newsome Hints at Reboot!

Star Trek: Lower Decks – The Perfect Path to live-action!

Lower Decks' Farewell: A Chance for a Live-Action Reboot!

Star Trek: Lower Decks season 5 is the final animated season on Paramount+! What's next for Lt. Beckett Mariner (Tawny Newsome), Lt. Brad Boimler (Jack Quaid), and their crewmates on the USS Cerritos? Creator Mike McMahan hinted the finale would close this chapter—but not necessarily the end for those much-loved characters. And Tawny Newsome— already a powerhouse in the Star Trek universe as a writer (she's described as "a stone-cold assassin" by executive producer Alex Kurtzman)—might just hold the key.

Remember that amazing live-action cameo in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2? That crossover was a total hit! Now, Newsome's taking on a new project and is working behind-the-scenes: a new live-action Star Trek workplace comedy with Justin Simien; and even though this talented actor announced her departure from voicing Mariner; this continues to emphasize that she's been developing creative ideas surrounding the overall storyline, using what already exists within the broader Star Trek universe; showing she continues her presence as a strong influence even despite her character’s eventual disappearance.

Also Read: Star Trek: Prodigy Finally Fixes Starfleet Academy's Elite Cadet Problem

Tawny Newsome’s New Comedy: The Lower Decks’ Live-Action Ticket

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Newsome’s new comedy might be just the thing that would propel those Lower Decks characters into live-action! In an interview with CinemaBlend, Newsome confirmed that it is intentionally set during Star Trek: Picard's 25th century—this ensures that all existing and possibly future characters from the franchise could have their moment in the spotlight, with existing characters likely having plausible ways to make an appearance! The idea here seems fantastic: It could involve de-aging several older actors (namely Jonathan Frakes!), a plausible approach suggested as an underlying design consideration which was presented early in the discussions of the design itself.

Her quotes suggest those characters (namely all those from Picard and Lower Decks) could absolutely make their mark. Even if nothing concrete’s planned, Newsome’s goal— this incredibly exciting detail emphasizes the intent! Her approach for including all those amazing characters suggests this particular design decision might eventually deliver even more satisfying opportunities for the characters involved, adding depth which was otherwise missing due to this show being initially an animated show which didn't allow a much needed live action interpretation. It all hints at a fun workplace comedy on a pleasure planet; giving opportunities for numerous cameos.

Also Read: Star Trek: Prodigy Timeline: When Does Season 1 Take Place?

A Potential Path For Star Trek: Legacy

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The idea here also provides opportunities for other plot developments involving the previously unresolved plot lines involving other series like Star Trek: Picard. The planned new show, might even be what revives Star Trek: Legacy! This unresolved storyline from Picard’s season 3 was supposedly centered on Captain Seven of Nine and the USS Enterprise-G; and while cast and creators express strong enthusiasm to move forward, production unfortunately never really picked this plotline. Newsome’s comedy opens another doorway – it could totally have Seven of Nine plus some of Picard’s other main crew having some humorous escapades at that pleasure planet, and while nothing's concrete, her comments strongly suggest such a direction and her creative plans!

Also Read: Star Trek: Discovery's Finale Had Twists That Only Made Sense If You'd Watched Enterprise

Will This Live-Action Star Trek Comedy Really Happen?

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Important warning. The live-action Star Trek comedy project is currently under development and hasn't yet gotten the green light. However, those details involving character placements (setting the plot at the future, not having to use de-aging processes) suggest that these particular concerns had already been made. Paramount+ has three upcoming Star Trek projects— Star Trek: Section 31, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, and Star Trek: Starfleet Academy! So even getting this project approved might take considerable time.

There's a very good chance however, that once these planned productions conclude and several high priority storylines conclude—we might have far more opportunities in the Star Trek franchise! Given that intention to also use existing cast (specifically those involved in the already successful Lower Decks show) this entire approach towards including Lower Decks live-action makes Newsome's comedy into something totally brilliant!

Also Read: Star Trek: Prodigy Season 2 Ending Explained: Time Travel, Picard, & The New Protostar

Conclusion: Lower Decks Could Live Long and Prosper (in Live-Action!)

It might be bittersweet for many that Lower Decks has ended. It has successfully run its course! This approach toward providing an entirely new live-action adaptation however creates further reasons to revisit that amazing universe; offering amazing and plausible opportunities; this completely restructures expectations surrounding Lower Decks; giving those creative storytellers opportunities and creative opportunities not previously achievable with its original format, generating this enormous impact for that universe! And it shows the creativity involved within the larger Star Trek universe and their desire for adapting, reinventing, and innovating, for long-term development for those already-existing yet incredibly valuable assets!