At San Diego Comic-Con, the creative team behind Star Trek: Strange New Worlds announced they intend to conclude the series with its fifth season — though that doesn't signal an end to their Star Trek storytelling ambitions. In fact, they are "100 percent" committed to a dream project: a spinoff focusing on Paul Wesley’s James T. Kirk during his inaugural year as captain.

"Nothing would make us happier than continuing to explore how Pike’s crew transitions into Kirk’s, and how Kirk’s team embarks on its own journey," Strange New Worlds showrunner Henry Alonso Myers shared with Entertainment Weekly at SDCC.

"When we look at The Original Series, it's clear the crew isn't just starting out — key relationships are already established. How did those connections form? This opens up opportunities to delve into Sulu’s early days, explore McCoy’s broader story, and introduce Chekov. It would be incredible to keep telling these stories."

Myers also noted that he and co-showrunner Akiva Goldsman have envisioned futures for characters who don't appear in established canon after Strange New Worlds, emphasizing that "absence from canon doesn't mean those characters cease to exist."

That said, Myers and Goldsman are encouraging fans to voice their interest in a prequel series. "We’re vocal about our vision," Myers remarked regarding their efforts to persuade the network. "We remind them, 'You already have these amazing sets. They’re assets you own and profit from.'"

Of course, their immediate focus remains on delivering a satisfying conclusion to the current series. "However excited we are about potential future projects, we have to nail the ending of Strange New Worlds first," Myers added. With season 3’s third episode previewed at SDCC and season 4 production complete, season 5 is already in sight — meaning a spinoff could happen sooner than expected, especially if fans make their support known.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is now streaming on Paramount+.