Bryan Fuller, the very public face of the new ‘Star Trek’ series ‘Discovery’ has stepped down as showrunner, but will remain in place as an executive director. What are the implications?
Just a few short weeks after the announcement that the debut of Star Trek: Discovery, for CBS‘ subscription-only platform, was being put back several months (from January 2017 to May) in an effort to make everything right for such a big venture, there’s been another significant change. Bryan Fuller has formally stepped down as show-runner raising quite a few concerns among fans as to the state of the show and its plans. This latest news also comes in the wake of a wave of publicity over the last year not yielding as many developments as expected. Despite actual filming due to begin in Toronto next month, there’s been little news on basic casting and the oft-spoken promises to find a strong female lead for the show have yet to lead any official results.
Industry site Variety, which first reported the exit, notes that though Fuller will remain as an executive producer, Gretchen J. Berg and Aaron Harberts who were serving immediately under Fuller, will step into the breach for the day-to-day business.
Changes as a series ramps up for production are far from unique and though the various challenges the production is facing remain noticeable, CBS has insisted that there’s no crisis involved in the drama.They released the following statement late Wednesday:
“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,” the statement said. “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.”
The other commitments for Fuller include an adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s novel American Gods for Starz.
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
