After previously being delayed from January to May 2017, it seems Star Trek: Discovery has yet another slight setback as Variety reports Bryan Fuller is now stepping down as showrunner on the new Star Trek series. Apparently the decision was made late last week and is just being announced now as filming is set to begin in Toronto next month.
While this news came out of the blue, it shouldn’t be altogether surprising in hindsight. Fuller’s schedule has been incredibly busy as he is currently working on Star Trek: Discovery for CBS, American Gods for Starz and Amazing Stories for NBC, not to mention the constant rumours that Hannibal could be revived for a fourth season sometime in the next couple years.
Fuller is not completely leaving Star Trek: Discovery, however, as he’ll remain on board as an executive producer. Furthermore, the show will still follow the vision he set out for the season and he will be involved in creating the stories. Regular showrunning duties will now pass to producers Gretchen Berg and Aaron Harberts, who worked with Fuller on Pushing Daisies, while writer/producer/director Avika Goldsman is also being courted for a creative role. For his part, Fuller made sure to tell fans on Twitter not to worry about this changing of the guard.
https://twitter.com/BryanFuller/status/791432020182261760
Variety also reported that there was some tension between Fuller and CBS executives over his multiple duties on other networks, the shooting delays and the yet to be cast lead, but they still seem pleased with the vision he’s set out and Berg and Harberts taking over as showrunners, putting out a statement:
“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. 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…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.”
Fuller stepping down is a blow to Discovery, but the fact that he’ll remain involved and his vision is still being used means fans shouldn’t be concerned too much, and hopefully it won’t really alter Star Trek: Discovery‘s fabric.
Originally published October 27, 2016. Updated April 16, 2018.
