Does the production of two new shows mean the end of Star Trek: Discovery?

Is Star Trek: Discovery’s time coming to an end with the announcement of two new shows?

Star Trek: Discovery will forever be known as a maligned and uneven show. While it boasts an incredible cast, the fact is the show felt more like a series like The Expanse for the first few seasons, and not a Star Trek series. Controversial and maligned decisions that altered lore, like giving Spock a human-adopted sister, changing the Klingons to…whatever those things were… and largely just steering away from what made Trek into what it is.

The series hitting five seasons is nothing short of a miracle, as many, myself included, thought it’d end after season three when Discovery was the only show that wasn’t filming back-to-back seasons at the time. Lower Decks and Picard both shot back-to-back.

So Discovery’s future was up in the air. It has its supporters but it’s a far cry from Picard, which in itself is a far cry from Strange New Worlds, the series franchise darling at the moment. With Picard ending and Discovery having a reduced budget for seasons four and five, it’s fair to wonder if the show is ending soon.

When Alex Kurtzman announced two new series in development, that all but sealed the faith of the series.

Star Trek: Discovery is likely heading towards its conclusion

The folks at Paramount+ may like Star Trek, but they’ve said before that there are only so many shows they want on at the same time. Currently, there are five shows, Discovery, Picard, Lower Decks, Prodigy, and Strange New Worlds.

Prodigy and Strange New Worlds are huge hits for the brand, while Lower Decks has succeeded where the other three shows of Wave 1 (Discovery, Picard, and Short Treks) failed. The dark, depressing era that Trek tried to be so they’d be seen as more “serious” is over. It failed, and Discovery remains the last remnant of that era.

Picard is done after season three. That’s why there’s at least one show in production. With it being logical that Paramount+ wants around five shows airing at once, if we do the math, that means one shows gotta go.

Prodigy is going to have a toy line built around it, so that’s safe. Strange New Worlds is the face of the brand, so they’re safe, and Lower Decks has enough of a fanbase that they’re safe. So who’s left? Discovery.

It’s safe to say that the series that is going to replace Discovery has already entered production, which means Discovery season five could be it for the cast and crew. Though, only time will tell.