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It feels like yesterday, but back in 2020, theStar Trekfranchise launched its first animated comedy withLower Decks.
In 2023, they even played their animated characters in a live-action crossover episode of Strange New Worlds.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
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Lower Decksis ending with this fifth and final season.
In the first episode, we get a tease of an alternate universe.
Can you imagine your own alternate universes where you didnt joinStar Trek?
Tawny Newsome: I cant.
Since 2020,Star Trekhas really loomed large in my life.
I mean, Im a lifelong fan, but it was my entire career last year.
DoingLower Decks, combined with writing for [upcoming Paramount+ live-action seriesStarfleet]Academy.
I dont know what Id be doing withoutStar Trek.
Probably be bartending again or something.
It would have been a real loss if I never met Tawny and all these people.
I got a best friend out of this.
Newsome: Dont make me cry, Jack!
Quaid: Im sorry.
You dont have to say all that.
Quaid: Okay, Ill blow smoke your way.
I still text with Jonathan Frakes and got to meet Gates McFaddenall these people that Trek has touched.
I feel so much more connected to and eternally grateful for this franchise.
Every day, I just casually bring it up.
The internet will run with that.
But we would be remiss if we didnt say that [Lower Decksshowrunner] Mike McMahan aint done.
Hes got seasons upon seasons in him.
So, it would be great if Lower Decks could continue to have life somewhere else.
Outside of that, I think that it makes total sense to have more live-action things.
Maybe a movie, something where we can see the rest of our castmates in live action.
We got to see Shaxs and Tendi and Rutherford and Carol and Jerry [OConnell].
Why did I just call him by his Earth name?
[Laughs]
Quaid: Im glad you did!
In this pitch, Jerry OConnell does not play Commander Ransom.
He plays the actor Jerry OConnell!
Mariner and Boimler have grown
a lot over these five seasons.
But the show is still very, very down-to-Earth.
How does that even work?
Sure, in season five, Mariner is no longer self-sabotaging.
Theyre still kind of messed up.
I loveFuturamabecause its a sci-fi sitcom that speaks to the nerd inside everyone.
I thinkLower Decksdoes that.
What do you hope fansnew and oldtake from Lower Decks as a whole?
Quaid: I think our show is really grounded.
There are so many more interesting things to dive into out there.
Newsome: Our show always tends towards a real overarching kindness.
Teaching that lesson through comedy, I think, is the best way to do it.
So I hope that people will make things that take whatever theyve learned fromTrek.
There are climate lessons, there are lessons about capitalism, there are lessons about race and sex.
Just take an ideal and make your shit.
I hope theyre inspired.
Star Trek: Lower Decks is streaming now on Paramount+.
