4 years in the past the sequence The Middle Seat: 55 Years of Star Trek premiered on The Historical past Channel (and their streaming Historical past Vault service). The 11-episode sequence was described because the “definitive in-depth journey behind the scenes” of the Star Trek franchise, nevertheless it really left some elements of Trek uncovered. Now there are some indications a second season is already in manufacturing to fill out what wasn’t a part of season one.
TNG and Kelvin film actors being interviewed
The Middle Seat was produced by the Nacelle Firm, and directed by CEO (and Star Trek tremendous fan) Brian Volk-Weiss. For Star Trek, Nacelle drew on expertise making a number of popular culture docuseries together with the favored The Toys That Made Us and The Motion pictures That Made Us, on Netflix. As famous within the TrekMovie assessment, the sequence, narrated by TNG’s Gates McFadden, is “a enjoyable approach to see the story of our beloved franchise come alive.”
The 2021 sequence had episodes devoted to every of the 5 basic exhibits (TOS, TNG, DS9, Voyager, and Enterprise) in addition to episodes specializing in the TOS motion pictures, The Animated Collection, and even a few particular episodes: one on visitor stars and one all about starships. However you may see that there are some huge issues not coated, notably the TNG motion pictures, the Kelvin period motion pictures, and the fashionable streaming period TV exhibits.
There are indications that Nacelle is now overlaying the TNG motion pictures and certain the Kelvin motion pictures, based mostly on some hints offered by Brian Volk-Weiss on his Instagram feed. For instance, in mid November he posted an image of an interview he simply performed with actor Alan Ruck, with the joke “if solely it was a Tuesday this may of been the proper interview!” The road was clearly a nod to Ruck’s function as Captain Harriman from the primary TNG film, Star Trek Generations.
Nonetheless this one put up didn’t actually show something as he might be engaged on something associated to Ruck, perhaps even Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. However issues began coming collectively every week later when he posted a shot from one other interview, this time with Alice Krige, who performed the Borg Queen within the second TNG film, Star Trek: First Contact. And this time Brian’s put up hinted there was one thing within the works referring to “an unnamed but poorly hidden present we’re engaged on presently!” He additionally quoted the Borg Queen with “Discovering your weak point is just a matter of time!”
Brian’s put up with Alice even included tags for #startrek #ussenterprise #startrekfirstcontact #ncc1701 #resistanceisfutile #borgqueen. And if you’d like much more proof, in the event you scroll again to October Brian posted a pic of himself with Brannon Braga, who co-wrote each Generations and First Contact, with the message that Braga was a visitor on the Nacelle stage, that means for considered one of their documentary interviews. And once more, this included the tease “And wait until you see what we had been interviewing him for!!!” together with one other #startrek tag.
Oh and simply at present Brian posted about one more Star Trek actor interview, this time with Walter Koenig. Whereas the unique Chekov actor is finest recognized for his function on TOS and within the six TOS motion pictures, he was one of many few who additionally appeared within the first TNG film, Star Trek Generations. This time Brian’s message was “Photon torpedos prepared, Admiral!!” I really like my job, child!!” together with a #startrek tag.
So yeah, they’re engaged on one thing associated to the TNG motion pictures. However going again even deeper into Brian’s IG feed and you’ll a shot of an interview in September with Peter Weller, teasing “boy did we get some scoop!!! Wooo, get psyched for 2026 individuals!!” On this case there have been no Star Trek tags, and the #robocop tag initially made it seem he was engaged on one thing for the franchise Weller is finest recognized for. Nevertheless, Weller did seem in 2013’s Star Trek Into Darkness, enjoying the villainous Admiral Marcus.
The opposite huge factor not coated within the 11-episode docuseries in 2021 was any of the streaming period exhibits, which kicked off with Star Trek: Discovery on CBS All Entry (now Paramount+) in 2017. Volk-Weiss has not posted any pictures from interviews with any actors related to streaming period Trek. Nevertheless, a few month in the past he posted an image with himself and Bryan Fuller, co-creator Discovery. Fuller was the unique showrunner till fired by CBS throughout manufacturing of the primary season. Not like the opposite trace posts from Volk-Weiss, this wasn’t from the Nacelle places of work the place they shoot their documentaries, however from “an superior lunch” with Fuller. And the put up made no point out of Discovery, however did point out how Fuller labored on Star Trek: Deep House 9, Voyager, Pushing Daisies, and American Gods.
Nacelle: “Keep tuned”
Taken collectively it does seem that this 2026 venture will cowl a minimum of the TNG motion pictures, in all probability the Kelvin motion pictures, and perhaps extra. TrekMovie reached out on to Volk-Weiss, pointing to all of his Instagram hints. He didn’t affirm a second season of The Middle Seat was presently in manufacturing, however he didn’t deny it both. Brian tells TrekMovie:
“At this cut-off date I’ve to be a bit coy and easily say: keep tuned!”
It’s seemingly that the corporate desires to attend till they will make an official announcement for no matter they’ve cooking, together with particulars on when and the place it may be seen and perhaps a trailer. It’s wager they’d need that out early in 2026, as his hints have already indicated no matter they’re engaged on, it’s supposed for a 2026 launch, which is the sixtieth anniversary 12 months of the Star Trek franchise.
When one thing official is on the market we are going to make sure you report on it. Till then, we are going to maintain our eye out for extra clues.
Watch The Middle Seat on YouTube without cost
In September the Nacelle Firm posted all 11 episodes of The Middle Seat on their YouTube channel. Right here is the primary episode (and the full playlist), streaming without cost:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=videoseries
There’s additionally a companion ebook, The Middle Seat – 55 Years of Star Trek: 55 Years of Trek: The Full, Unauthorized Oral Historical past of Star Trek, with interviews that didn’t make the documentary.
Discover extra information and evaluation on Star Trek documentaries at TrekMovie.com.
