'Star Trek' could leave its familiar characters behind for new stories

Rod Roddenberry believes the Star Trek franchise is ready to move beyond familiar characters and explore new stories and ideas.

Rod Roddenberry, son of Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry, believes the long-running science fiction franchise is ready to explore new stories after decades of revisiting its established characters and worlds.

Speaking to PEOPLE at the Broadcasting+Cable Hall of Fame Awards 34th Anniversary Gala in New York City, Roddenberry reflected on Star Trek’s 60-year legacy and the message he believes continues to define the franchise.

Roddenberry said Star Trek goes beyond science fiction, highlighting themes of diversity and acceptance. He explained that the franchise presents a future where people no longer fear their differences but instead recognise diversity as something that can help society grow.

“It’s a message about the future and what we can be,” he said.

Since the original Star Trek series premiered in 1966, the franchise has expanded into numerous television series and films. Roddenberry has been involved with several recent Star Trek projects, serving as an executive producer on Star Trek: Discovery, Star Trek: Picard, Star Trek: Lower Decks, Star Trek: Prodigy and Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, among others.

However, he believes the franchise should now look ahead rather than continue relying heavily on returning characters.

“I think Star Trek is ready for new stories,” Roddenberry said, adding that bringing back previous casts and characters has already been explored. He suggested that the franchise should instead begin “a new adventure”.

Roddenberry also said future Star Trek stories could explore advances in technology in a respectful, careful and optimistic way, while stressing that any new direction must ultimately be supported by a compelling story.