Canceled ‘Star Trek’ Series May Be Returning

It has been almost 20 years since “Star Trek: Enterprise” signed off, leaving Captain Jonathan Archer’s story stuck at cruising altitude instead of the warp-speed finale fans imagined. Now there is fresh chatter inside the quadrant that could change the trajectory. A new concept is in the works, and it puts a familiar face back at the center of the Federation’s future.

According to GFR, writer and producer Michael Sussman, known for his work on “Star Trek: Enterprise,” has revealed that he is teaming with Scott Bakula on a new series concept that shifts the lens from starship missions to the halls of power. The pitch is designed to pick up after Archer’s captaincy, and it targets one of the franchise’s most intriguing unanswered questions, what does leadership look like when the entire United Federation of Planets is on the line.

Scott Bakula And Michael Sussman Pitch “Star Trek: United”

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Sussman confirmed to Trek Movie that he and Bakula are developing is “Star Trek: United,” which would follow Archer in his post-captaincy years as President of the United Federation of Planets. Think political thriller and family drama, set in the chaotic early days of the Federation, with less phaser fire and more high-stakes diplomacy, back-room negotiations, and the kind of ethical choices that built the Prime Directive.

For longtime viewers who remember the 2005 cancellation of “Star Trek: Enterprise,” the idea promises a true continuation, not a nostalgia cameo. Sussman’s concept reframes Archer as the statesman who must broker peace, wrangle competing worlds, and keep the coalition from splintering, all while living with the weight of decisions that ripple across quadrants. The pitch has been shared with Secret Hideout, the company behind “Star Trek: Discovery,” “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds,” and “Star Trek: Picard.” Although it was not initially greenlit, the creative team believes there is room for another conversation.

Paramount–Skydance Shakeup Rekindles “Enterprise” Hopes

With Paramount’s merger with Skydance reshaping priorities, Bakula and Sussman see a new opening. A fresh slate often invites bold swings, and a character-driven expansion anchored by a legacy lead could prove attractive alongside action-forward hits like “Strange New Worlds.” The gamble is clear — some fans have long wanted an “Enterprise” continuation that dives into the Earth–Romulan War teased in earlier arcs. Others are curious to see Archer test himself in a role that swaps the captain’s chair for the presidency, where a single treaty can matter as much as a photon torpedo.

“Star Trek” has always balanced adventure with ideas. From the courtroom debates of “The Next Generation” to the political intrigue of “Deep Space Nine,” the franchise thrives when it mixes exploration with intellect. “Star Trek: United” aims to live in that tradition, focusing on how alliances are forged, how ideals are tested, and how a captain turns into a leader for an entire civilization.

Whether or not the pitch warps ahead, one thing is certain — the possibility of Scott Bakula returning as Jonathan Archer has reignited the fan conversation. If “Star Trek: United” gets the signal to proceed, it would give “Enterprise” faithful the most meaningful sequel yet, not just a reunion, but a new mission, charting how the Federation became the Federation.