Star Trek really needs to capitalize on Jack Quaid's rising star
By Chad Porto
Star Trek: Lower Decks is ending and with it the run of Jack Quaid with the franchise. Few people in the industry today is as on the rise as Quaid, having just wrapped up with Star Trek: Lower Decks and starring in The Boys on Amazon. His star is shining bright and during his turn on Lower Decks, he became arguably the biggest name of any of the modern shows.
Now, with Lower Decks over and Quaid's future with the franchise uncertain, it stands to reason that the next logical move would or should be getting Quaid under contract. Not for another season of Lower Decks, but for a new, live-action show.
He's one of the few names from the animated side of the franchise who has enough drawing power to bring people over for a new series on his involvement alone. It's a no-brainer, especially when you remember that Tawny Newsome, Quaid's costar from Lower Decks, is already working on Starfleet Academy and an unnamed new series in the Star Trek universe and it's clear that the crew from Lower Decks has a soft spot in the hearts of the franchise's higher-ups.
Quaid could easily continue his run with Brad Boimler in a new, live-action series, as clearly his character works outside of animation. After seeing him pop up on Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, we saw the endless potential that comes with the character and the man who brings him to life. Now, all you have to do is develop a new, live-action, vehicle for Quaid and Boimler to capitalize on the show's and the actor's rising popularity.
It could be a semi-serious show, where Boilmer starts to become a more confident and more effective officer, as he climbs up the ranks of his next posting. You could have a few Lower Deck cameos in there as well, and help expand and build on the character's mythos while keeping Quaid around for another few years.
It has potential, now we just need the folks at Star Trek to see the potential of a Quaid-led show and get it going.