“Star Trek: Lower Decks” is coming back for its fifth season, and the trailer from San Diego Comic-Con gives us a peek at what’s ahead for the animated comedy’s final run. The season 4 finale, “Old Friends, New Planets,” ended on a dramatic cliffhanger. Lieutenant D’Vana Tendi (voiced by Noël Wells) gave up her Starfleet career to help rescue Lt. Beckett Mariner (voiced by Tawny Newsome). Even though Lt. Sam Rutherford (voiced by Eugene Cordero) was upset about Tendi leaving, the rest of the crew believes she’ll find her way back to Starfleet in season 5.
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Season 4 also explained why Beckett Mariner is so dedicated to staying a Lower Decker. The death of her mentor and friend, Ensign Sito Jaxa (played by Shannon Fill) from “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” made Mariner want to avoid any position that might put other Starfleet officers in danger. The crew of the USS Cerritos rallied to rescue Mariner from the former Starfleet Cadet Nicholas Locarno (played by Robert Duncan McNeill). Despite everything, Beckett remains a loyal Starfleet believer. The big question now is: what will happen next in the upcoming season of “Star Trek: Lower Decks”?
Is Star Trek: Lower Decks season 5 confirmed?
Paramount+ has officially confirmed that “Star Trek: Lower Decks” will end with its fifth season. In April, they announced that while “Lower Decks” is concluding, “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” has been renewed for a fourth season.
Showrunner Mike McMahan had hinted in 2023 that the end might be near for “Lower Decks,” even though he has plenty of stories left to tell about the USS Cerritos crew. Following the announcement, McMahan and executive producer Alex Kurtzman shared a statement on social media, expressing their gratitude to the fans for their support throughout the show’s run.
Star Trek: Lower Decks season 5 release date
“Star Trek: Lower Decks” Season 5 is set to premiere on October 24 on Paramount+. As an animated series, it wasn’t impacted by the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes in 2023, allowing the show’s production to continue smoothly. Voice actors like Tawny Newsome and Jack Quaid completed their recording work after the strikes ended, so the new season is on track to be a major Star Trek event for Paramount+ this fall.
Tawny Newsome is also staying within the Star Trek universe as a writer for the upcoming series “Star Trek: Starfleet Academy.” Additionally, she is working with Justin Simien on developing Star Trek’s first live-action comedy.
Star Trek: Lower Decks season 5 trailer
The trailer for Season 5 of “Star Trek: Lower Decks” pays homage to the trailer for “Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country,” which was the final film featuring William Shatner’s Captain Kirk and the original crew. The “Lower Decks” trailer teases “one last adventure” and “one last everything,” suggesting an exciting finale to the series.
The trailer hints at some intriguing developments, including an alternate timeline where the USS Cerritos is commanded by Captain Becky Freeman. There will also be plenty of action involving the Orions, with D’Vana Tendi playing a significant role. Additionally, there’s a playful reference to “Star Trek: Enterprise’s” famous decontamination chamber.
Klingons make a return in Season 5, with a character named Ma’ah (voiced by Jon Curry) possibly finding romance with a new female Klingon, voiced by Mary Chieffo from “Star Trek: Discovery.”
Star Trek: Lower Decks season 5 cast details
For Season 5 of “Star Trek: Lower Decks,” the entire cast from previous seasons will be returning. Although D’Vana Tendi has left the USS Cerritos to reconnect with her Orion roots, the other Lower Deckers are hopeful she’ll find her way back to Starfleet.
Season 4 introduced Lieutenant T’Lyn (played by Gabrielle Ruiz), who seamlessly integrated into the crew, and she’ll continue her role aboard the USS Cerritos in Season 5.
Lt. Beckett Mariner, having resolved her issues with promotion, is back on the Cerritos and is determined to be less self-destructive. Bradward Boimler and Sam Rutherford, the series’ quirky odd couple, will also be back, along with the rest of the show’s supporting cast.
Star Trek: Lower Decks season 5 plot details
In Season 5 of “Star Trek: Lower Decks,” we can expect a return to Orion to further explore D’Vana Tendi’s storyline. There’s also a nod to Scott Bakula’s “Star Trek: Enterprise,” adding some nostalgic touch to the series.
Bradward Boimler, having briefly stepped in as acting captain, is likely gearing up for a career in command. Meanwhile, his transporter clone, William Boimler, is still out there and could potentially become a major antagonist in the new season.
Showrunner Mike McMahan has hinted at exciting developments, including a wedding and a visit to a planet he’s long wanted the Cerritos to explore. Additionally, the reformed hologram Goodgey (voiced by Jack McBrayer) might bring fresh and intriguing storylines for Rutherford and the rest of the USS Cerritos crew.
Could Star Trek: Lower Decks Continue Beyond Paramount Plus?
Mike McMahan has been hinting that “Star Trek: Lower Decks” Season 5 is the “final season on Paramount+,” which suggests that the show might continue on a different streaming service after its run on Paramount+. Fans of “Star Trek: Prodigy” successfully campaigned to have that series picked up by Netflix, and now Alex Kurtzman is encouraging “Lower Decks” fans to show similar enthusiasm to boost the show’s viewership. This increased attention could make it more appealing to other streaming platforms.
While it’s uncertain whether “Star Trek: Lower Decks” might be reworked into a different format, the end of its run on Paramount+ could be the start of a new chapter for the show.
