Star Trek: Lower Decks' Future Uncertain After Season 5, Creator Reveals!

Summary

Mike McMahan, the creator of Star Trek: Lower Decks, discloses that the animated comedy might conclude after its fifth season, following the pattern set by other Star Trek series that faced unforeseen cancellations or endings.

McMahan implores fans to actively engage in watching and attracting new viewers in order to show their support for Lower Decks. The show's future and McMahan's long-term plans are uncertain due to changes at Paramount+. Despite a five-season run being deemed successful in today's television industry, McMahan has a grander vision for Lower Decks and hopes fans will demonstrate their support to bring his vision to life.

According to Lower Decks creator and executive producer Mike McMahan, there is uncertainty surrounding the long-term future of Star Trek: Lower Decks. He suggests that the animated comedy may conclude with its fifth season. Currently, the show is in the midst of its fourth season, and season 5 is expected to be released in the summer of 2024. However, recent cancellations of other Star Trek series such as Star Trek: Discovery and Star Trek: Prodigy have left fans, as well as McMahan himself, concerned about the fate of Lower Decks. In an interview with CinemaBlend, McMahan urges fans to not only watch the show on Paramount+, but also to encourage others to do so, highlighting the signs at the network that indicate the show's future may be uncertain.

Lower Decks' Future Not Assured Amidst Paramount Plus' Changes To Star Trek Franchise

If you have the same adoration for Lower Decks as I do, I urge you to watch it and encourage others to do the same. Although a letter-writing campaign can be helpful after a show's cancellation, what truly makes a difference is campaigning to attract more viewers while the show is still on air. This gives me the opportunity to advocate for additional seasons. I genuinely desire to conclude Lower Decks according to my envisioned plan. Taking into consideration Prodigy's search for a new network and Picard being wrapped up after Season 3, along with Discovery's imminent conclusion, I interpret these occurrences as indications that if you desire more Lower Decks content, it is crucial to voice your support now rather than waiting.

Mike McMahan is well aware of the changes happening at Paramount+. Similar to other streaming platforms, Paramount+ is canceling series and reducing spending. The state of Star Trek in late 2023 is a far cry from its peak in 2022. During that time, Star Trek: Lower Decks was one of five Star Trek series on Paramount+, which offered a new Star Trek episode every Thursday for an entire year. As McMahon shared with CinemaBlend:

We are currently living in unusual times, where everything is constantly changing. I believe this trend of change will continue, and nothing can be considered safe. I don't have any negative news to share, but it's important to not assume that these elements will remain unless we actively support and watch them from the beginning. It is uncertain if there will be another season after the one we are currently working on (Season 5) for Lower Decks. However, having a five-season show in today's television landscape is considered a success.

Despite this, creator Mike McMahan has a grander plan in mind that he hopes to accomplish. The days of Star Trek series automatically running for seven seasons, as seen with Star Trek: Voyager in 2001, are over. However, fans still have the ability to actively show support for Lower Decks and demonstrate to Paramount+ that it deserves to have Mike McMahan's complete story told. Lower Decks has become a beloved and highly regarded series within the franchise, proving that comedy has a place in the Star Trek universe. Ultimately, it is up to the fans to have a say in whether it continues beyond season 5 on Paramount+.

Star Trek: Lower Decks season 4 streams Thursdays on Paramount+.

Source: CinemaBlend