With Star Trek running at full warp with several shows in production and more incoming, we take a look back at the news lighlights from Across The Universe! Including Q Cameo’s, Anson Mount’s view on Strange New Worlds and more!
One of the best parts of modern era Trek has been Jonathon Frakes’s slips. When the world was wondering, speculating and begging for more after every tease from the incredibly secretive productions, Frakes would drop a comment without realising it was a bombshell.
Just like the time he casually mentioned Discovery was going to the Mirror Universe before anyone even knew what the show was about! But lately Starfleets favourite Number One has been keeping his lips sealed. Thankfully De Lancie’s taking up the mantle of dropping hints through his Cameo apperances.
Following the announcement that he’s joining the cast of Picards second season, De Lancie took some fan questions on Cameo where he was asked if it was a one off appearance, or whether he’d be in it for the long haul. “And the answer is six episodes.” He explained, though that wasn’t the best part.
“I think they are going to be coming out… actually I don’t know.”He continued, “But we are shooting season two and three all at the same time right now.”
Initially Picard was rumoured to run for just three seasons, so the hint that Q could join them could give a little insight into where the show is going next under a new creative lead. Especially if it does hit the three season limit. Though De Lancie’s cameo commentaries have hinted that, much like Picard, this isn’t a Q we remember, but someone who is as playful but still matured.
“It’s a very different Q this time.” He explained in reply to another fan, “They wanted to go with not kidding around not as much. We will see if the audience enjoys it. I think they will.”
You can see more of De Lancie’s comments at Cameo.
DISCOVERING HIATUS
Broken by Deadline and later confirmed Hollywood Reporter, Discovery’s season 4 production came to a halt when one of the production crew made contact with a confirmed case of COVID just outside Pinewood Studios in /Toronto.
Although unidentified, the person was confirmed as “Zone A”, which in the pandemic refers to key production staff. Similar to outbreaks in California, which halted production of the Picard series’ second season, Toronto has had a surge in itself with the region under a stay stay home order.
This is the second case of “the Rona” within Star Trek Productions in Canada. Strange New Worlds, filming elsewhere at a CBS Facility also in Toronto, another Zone A production member – in that case a guest actor – had tested positive. Thoug all who can come into contact with the unnamed actor were placed into Quaruntine. In Discovery’s case, the whole production shit down. Potentially due to the required role within Zone A.
Filming during the pandemic has seen special precautions taking place, including limited bubbled production staff, writers and producers working remotely and extended time ensuring clenliness and safety with Discovery star Doug Jones commenting that, “There are a few more hoops to jump through to get your day done. So with that slower pace, we’re still getting it done.”
Talking to TrekMovie, Jones continued, “And they are keeping us very safe. It’s all worth it in the end.”
Previously Tig Notaro told the Fitz Doug Radio show that she didn’t feel safe flying due to the pandemic. “I forfeited some work there.” She explained, “But the other chunk of work is supposed to be in May and so hopefully things will be in better shape with the pandemic in May. And if not, I’ll just just drive out there probably.”
Strange New Worlds and Picard productions continue while Discovery nears the end of a two week hiatus. Strange New Worlds lead star Anson Mount spoke to Collider, backing up previous statements by producer Akiva Goldsman on the episodic nature of Strange New World.
In a quick interview talking about his journey in the Star Trek Universe so far, Mount commented on the original series format and how he see’s it as “by nature, episodic.”, noting that evolution of storytelling has worked well for other iterations of Star Trek, but basing a show on a classic needs to go back to basics.
“Classic Trek is really founded on the big idea of the week, and the big idea of the week needs room to breathe.” Mount explained, “In serialized structure, you’re trying to take care of so many relationships that there doesn’t tend to be a lot of room for that.”
Mount also noted that his introductory show, Discovery, did a phenomenal job with the serialised structure. However, for Strange New Worlds, things felt a little different. “Normally, serialized is my taste, as an actor, but this really felt like it needed to be episodic.”
You can read the full interview at Collider where Mount also discusses Akiva Goldsman’s fight for the series to launch.
IT’S ABOUT…. TIME?
And in the world of Picard, we’ve been treated to some set photos. Which we’ll leave here….
[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”12120″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]Shared through instagram – and not the first leak from filming, the image shows Seven and Raffi on what looks like a 21st century bus complete with a sci fi poster that resembles those seen Katee Sackhoff’s Another Life – which is also filming in Canada.
So what do we think? Holdeck? Time travel? A Retro Planet inspired by someone leaving behgind a book a few centuries ago? Q shenanigans? Let us know!
MAY LAFORGE BE WITH YOU
After a passionate fan campaign, former Next Generation star LeVar Burton has been announced to guest host popular US quiz show Jeopardy. Over the past few weeks Burton hasn’t been shy in chasing the job in a more permanent capacity and has had a lot of backing from Hollywood stars, from fellow Next Gen co star Brent Spiner to Deadpool’s Ryan Reynolds.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JRBFE9uq3o
While landing his dream job, Burton has also spent some time recently with Opera Winfrery on The View where he confirmed he would not be part of Picard’s second season, but expected to turn up in some form.
Our latest issue of Comms talks in depth – and we mean in depth! – about Discovery’s Third Season with episodic reviews, an overall season analysis and special featuring including a look at the 32nd century tech, the Crossfield Class, Tilly’s Journey, Georgiou’s exit and more! Comms is available as part of SFCQ2’s free membership! To find out more visit our Comms preview or Enlist Today!
About the author
Site & Service Updates July 2026
It's been a strange year as we adapt to then changing landscape of the Star Trek franchise with recent corporate shenanigans in the media industry, as well as adjusting to and anticipating new regulation sin our home base of the UK which has taken up more brain power than we'd expected!Still, despite distractions, we've been working away in the background with a revised Admin schedule to ensure at the very least every Sunday we can check off some items on the to do list and keep everyone updated on the changes whether minor, major or a bit pointless! On Screen Additions After being placed on the low priority list for a while, the On Screen Mission Log section has begun taking shape. Previously the On Screen section had it's own section per show since the launch of Discovery, however with […]
New Unit Application Guide
Account Academy Database Fleet Updates Calendar Latest Entries Explore Database Index Starfleet Academy Help & Support ⯇ DATABASE INDEX ACCOUNT HUB NEw Unit Application Guide Clarification This section is both for information and for making formal applications for creating or importing a new unit into SFCQ2. Applications can also be made directly to Fleet Administration. All applications are considered for review. × JOIN THE CAPTAINS TABLE Every Star Trek fans dreams of being the captain of their own Starship. Although running an SFC Quadrant 2 Unit is (probably) easier than commanding a starship, both roles require commitment and dedication.Unit’s are, and always will be, the core of SFC. It is within them that members can indulge in their shared interests for Star Trek and science fiction while enjoying the company of fellow fans and like minded people. At their best, […]
[Q2&A] Membership Handbook: Revised & Updated for 2026
With over fifty years (and counting) of history, joining SFC can sometimes be a whirlwind and while we're always focused on a more casual experience, tit can sometimes be overwhelming knowing where to start. While we offer our Academy as an induction tour of Quadrant 2's organisation and structure, and are always open to expanding more information in the Fleet Database, our Officers Pack gives you a one stop resource to highlight our core policies, membership information and more; The Membership Handbook/ Membership within Q2 is fairly laid back. But since it's inception - both overall as Starfleet Command as well as the administrative split for Quadrant 2 - out handbook has outlined who we are, how we operate and as a resource for members to be able to understand what membership entails from our core mission statement, to our […]
[Retro Review] The Galileo Seven
Pulled in two directions, the Enterprise has to deliver critical medical supplies to avert a plague and conduct vital research at the same time. Unable to turn down the order, Kirk thinks on his feet by carrying forward to save the planet, while sending Spock to lead a research team on the Galileo shuttle to carry out their mission until the Enterprise has finished it's mission of mercy. It's a good idea. Until it isn't. Isolated form the Enterprise, the Galileo runs into a bit of bother. Thrown off course by plot, the shuttle crash lands on a primitive planet. Alone with a broken ship and a people who are as barbaric as they are terrified by the shuttles sudden arrival, Spock has to lead his own team through fear and frustration with cool and calming logic. On the first […]
A Fistful of O’Brien
Entering the Star Trek world as an unnamed extra with a few bits of dialogue, O'Brien soon became a fixture on the Enterprise D as it's transporter chief before moving to Deep Space Nine to head up engineering and operations on what was thought to be a backwater outpost before it became one of the most strategically important stations in the quadrant!As the only enlisted or non commissioned officer to feature in the main cast of any Star Trek show to date, O'Brien stands as the only working class hero in the Star Trek universe with a vast and varied career taking from the front lines of the Cardassian war as a soldier, to the front lines of the Dominion War as an engineer, retrofitting DS9, keeping the Defiant from blowing itself apart, and even sniping Dominion troops. All in […]
[Q2&A] Career Track
SFC has always structured it's internal reward and recognition system on the command structure of Starfleet on screen. Newbies are cadets. When they become full members, they become Ensigns. And those eager to take on a leadership role can rank up to Commander or Captain. Even the board of directors are mirrored within the theme as Commodores and Admirals! It's always been the way, but the path of an officer isn't for everyone... Despite the original idea of all star ship personnel being highly trained astronauts, therefore nullifying the need for enlisted crew, the enlisted ranks have existed in some form since the original series. More defined in the film era, particularly under the revision of style and structure in The Wrath of Khan, they have been slightly more prominent since. Most notable of the enlisted members of Starfleet was […]
Related
Across The Universe…. into the Holodeck…?
As the Star Trek Online world is celebrating it's annual Summer event on Risa, the wider gaming world is adding some new dimensions to the gamers of the fandom as we see even more games announced within the Star Trek Universe following some already surprise additions in the past year. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YK_Fw4_kLk OUTPOSTS UNKNOWN Set in the 23rd Century era of Strange New Worlds, Outposts Unknown comes from Magic Fuel Games, made up of former developers of various simulations including The Sims and Sim City and delivers exactly what you'd expect from them! The player takes command of the USS Resonant as the core of a new outpost building game where you lead a crew across a newly found system and build your perfect colonies with a mysterious force building up in the background... Sim City meets Strange New Worlds is […]
Starfleet Academy to end with with Season 2
Announced first by Variety, it's been announced that Starfleet Academy will end with Season 2. Having just launches in January with the first season finale receiving positive reactions, and it's second season now in post-production following the completion of filming, the announcement comes at an unsurprising time with Paramount undergoing new ownership under Skydance and more business shenanigans with further consolidation in the works with plans to absorb Warner Brothers into the mix. Set in the 32nd century and using Discovery's season 3 'Burn' storyline as a reset point, Starfleet Academy was focused on new original characters who had signed up to be the new stewards of Starfleet's future to rebuild the strength and vision of the Federation. Opening strong, Academy improved throughout it's first season and used it's setting to help strengthen the hopeful vision of the future and […]
New Cast Welcomes Aboard for Season 5 of Strange New Worlds
As the media hype is starting to ramp up for Academy's debut, Strange New Worlds is adding the finishing touches and along with cast such as Anson Mount saying goodbye to their Enterprise, we have some new names announced to have joined for the final season. Acting as a prequel to the original series, Strange New Worlds has helped to expand legacy characters having brought over Ethan Peck's younger and less refined version of Spock, the first career steps of Nyota Uhura, a completely revamped Christine Chapel and smaller parts – such as Dr M'BEnga, Samuel Kirk and T'Pring among others – being revived for the new era. Since then we've also spent some time with a young Jim Kirk, even seeing his first time in command last season, and Scotty's joined the lower decks of Engineering. As the show […]
Across The Universe This November!
As the year comes to an end, the new cycles are spinning up as Star Trek looks ahead towards new frontiers... UNDER CONSTRUCTION.... AGAIN... It's safe to say the biggest news of December had all eyes back on the film side of the Star Trek franchise again as Paramount seems to have found a new plan to revive Trek on the big screen. Which, sure, comes with a lot of scepticism. We've already had the Tarantino plan, the Kelvin revival announcement, the Hawley film that went into pre production before another announcement and probably more that we've forgotten about. But this one comes from the all new Paramount under Skydance, so lets be cautiously hopeful! According to Deadline the new pitch is coming from Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley who will write and direct a completely new take on […]
Revisiting the Past and Rebuilding The Future: Across the Universe this August
As Strange New Worlds races through it's third season, Star Trek looks ahead to new frontiers with it's home studio under new management and new games on the horizon. Meanwhile a little drop of Trek history gets a huge expansion. New Owners, New Changes The biggest news for the month came not just across the Star Trek Universe, but the media industry as after a long tussle with some odd political turns, Paramount is finally under new ownership. Merging with the media giant Skydance, the new Paramount means many things. For tus, it basically just means we might have some movement on Trek news going forward after a massive pause in business operations while all the legalities were ironed out. A new Paramount means a new executive line up under the command of Skydance boss David Ellison who is not […]
Relay Recap: July 2024
All Features Universe Categories Fleet Alert Comms GORN GIRL recap; july 2025 Picking up on the Season 2 cliff-hanger, Strange New Worlds returned to our screens this month to find Captain Pike and his crew on the edge of war with the Gorn as Season 3 was finally released!Exploring new worlds and new problems, the Enterprise crew are back in action on Paramount Plus and we're keeping ourselves up to date with weekly episode discussion threads on our FB Continuing Mission Group & Weekly episode reviews from Admin ! Explore... Episode Reviews Spoilers Group ACROSS THE UNIVERSE As we look back on Pike's adventures on the Enterprise in the prequel series, Paramount also gave us a look at whats to come next as Entertainment Weekly and SDCC's Star Trek Universe panel gave us a sneak peek at the reopening of […]
