Following up on reports from late summer, former Star Trek writer and producer Mike Sussman has teamed up with Star Trek: Enterprise star Scott Bakula on a proposed new project provisionally titled Star Trek: United. The collaboration would see Bakula reprise his iconic role as Jonathan Archer, who now serves as President of the United Federation of Planets, as Sussman seeks to expand the Star Trek universe in a fresh direction.
The idea for Star Trek: United emerged when Sussman, inspired by the mature and grounded tone of Star Wars: Andor, approached Bakula with the concept. Sussman explained his vision:
“One of my aspirations would be that the series could do for Star Trek what Andor did for Star Wars. It’s a show where you can tell adult stories about adults and tell them in a very grounded way.”
The show would explore Archer’s post-Starfleet life, focusing on his political career and the complexities of leading the Federation during its early years. Sussman hopes to balance political intrigue with personal dynamics, taking cues from series like The West Wing and The Diplomat.
A key element of the proposed series is its setting. While initially planned to be Earth-based, the concept has considered relocating to the planet Babel, providing a unique backdrop for the political drama and distinguishing it from other Star Trek shows like Starfleet Academy.
Although the initial pitch to Secret Hideout, the production company behind Star Trek shows for Paramount, did not result in a green light, Sussman remains optimistic. With Paramount evaluating its new partnerships, he plans to re-pitch Star Trek: United, hoping to bring Archer’s story to a contemporary audience while maintaining the grounded, adult storytelling he envisions.
For fans of the franchise, Star Trek: United represents a unique chance to revisit one of the most beloved captains in Star Trek history — this time navigating the challenges of interstellar politics rather than space exploration and “cowboy diplomacy.”
(Source Trekmovie)
