UPDATE, January 17th: In an apparent u-turn, Netflix UK has now picked up Star Trek: Short Treks. But rather than given it its own listing on the streaming service, all four episodes have been made available under the “Trailers & More” tab for Star Trek: Discovery. The move comes a day before the second season of Discovery is set to launch on Netflix UK and shortly after word leaked out that CBS All Access has ordered two more episodes of Short Treks.
PREVIOUS, September 28th: The latest incarnation of the Star Trek franchise is not coming to the UK (at least for now). I’ve learned that Netflix UK has opted not to pick up Star Trek: Short Treks, a new four episode short-form off-shoot of Star Trek: Discovery. A representative for the streaming service confirmed that they will not be distributing the series, which launches state-side on October 4th.
Owing to the fact that Netflix – both in the UK and globally (except in the U.S. and Canada) – serves as the broadcaster for Star Trek: Discovery, they had been expected to pick up the off-shoot. Back in August, CBS Television Studios President David Stapf gave same credence to that expectation when he indicated to Deadline that the streaming service had an option on Discovery spin-offs, but not necessarily stand alone shows such as the upcoming Picard one.
There was some clue that Netflix would not carry Short Treks earlier this week when they released their list of upcoming content for the month of October and the series was not on it. It is not immediately clear if CBS Studios International, who are handling international distribution for both Short Treks and the Untitled Picard Show, are shopping it to other UK buyers.
Star Trek: Short: Treks offers an opportunity for deeper storytelling and exploration of key characters and themes that fit into the Star Trek: Discovery and expanding Star Trek universe. Each of the four shorts run ten to fifteen minutes in length and will center on a key character, including familiar faces from Discovery. The series is produced by CBS Television Studios and stars Mary Wiseman as Tilly, Doug Jones as Saru, Rainn Wilson as Harry Mudd, and Aldis Hodge as new character Craft. CBS All Access is releasing one short a month, leading to the second season premiere of Star Trek: Discovery in 2019.
Check out CBS All Access’ trailer for Short Treks below:
