First announced over a year ago, the thought-abandoned official Star Trek podcast from Lower Decks star Tawny Newsome lives!
Originally titled “The Prime Directive” podcast when first announced in August 2019, the expected official Star Trek podcast was planned for an initial late-2019 debut, but when that timeframe came and went, many thought that the project may have been shelved.
But today, CBS Television Studios and the Star Trek franchise group has re-announced the podcast project as Star Trek: The Pod Directive, with Lower Decks star Tawny Newsome still attached to lead the audio show, now set to be joined by actor and comedian Paul F. Tompkins.
The show will include a number of well-known Trek fans from many areas of life, including actor Ben Stiller, politician and activist Stacey Abrams, astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti, and of course members of the Star Trek cast and crew from across the franchise.
Here’s the official announcement made today by CBS Television Studios:
Sept. 8, 2020 – CBS Television Studios and “Star Trek” Global Franchise Group announced the podcast STAR TREK: THE POD DIRECTIVE is available to subscribe to now, via StarTrek.com, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and all major podcast platforms in advance of its premiere on Monday, Sept. 14.
Announced earlier today by Tawny Newsome during the STAR TREK: LOWER DECKS panel as part of Star Trek Day, Paul F. Tompkins (“BoJack Horseman,” “Comedy Bang Bang”) joins Newsome as co-host on the podcast.
With unparalleled access to “Star Trek” luminaries, celebrity super-fans and behind-the-scenes creative professionals, STAR TREK: THE POD DIRECTIVE takes a smart, witty and thoughtful look at all things “Trek” – both old and new. Offering a high-level discussion of the themes, ideas and characters that resonate across the history of the franchise’s storied universe, episodes will also explore the brand’s 50-plus-year legacy and influence. Each episode features an in-depth personal interview with a notable guest, coverage of a “Star Trek” event or a discussion of a specific topic with one or more guests.
Guests will include Ben Stiller (actor/producer), Reza Aslan (author/commentator), Michelle Hurd (actor, STAR TREK: PICARD), Kendra James (managing editor, StarTrek.com), Angelica Bastien (staff writer, Vulture), Mike McMahan (creator/executive producer/showrunner, STAR TREK: LOWER DECKS), Stacey Abrams (politician/activist), Tig Notaro (comedian/actor, STAR TREK: DISCOVERY), Samantha Cristoforetti (ESA astronaut), Bill McKibben (author/environmentalist/activist) and Jeff Russo (producer/composer, STAR TREK: PICARD and STAR TREK: SHORT TREKS). New episodes will drop weekly on Mondays through Nov. 9.
Fans can subscribe to or download STAR TREK: THE POD DIRECTIVE via StarTrek.com as well as Apple Podcasts, Spotify or other podcasting apps.
The podcast is set to be available on pretty much every platform where podcasts can be heard, including Apple Music, Spotify, and everywhere else you can name starting on September 14.