Star Trek's Biggest Ever Milestone Is Way Closer Than You Think
By Dan Bibby
Ever since Star Trek broadcast its first episode in 1966, Gene Roddenberry's iconic space opera has grown into one of the most influential sci-fi franchises of all time. Although it's already hit countless milestones, there's one that's coming up that will eclipse them all.
All the Star Trek movies and TV shows combine to form a sprawling saga - even if the JJ Abrams' Kelvin Timeline trilogy unfolds away from the Prime Universe. Although there were no Star Trek shows in the 12 years between Enterprise's 2005 finale and Discovery's 2017 premiere, the TV branch of the franchise continues to be its most prolific area of storytelling. Now, Star Trek is set for an incredibly rare achievement.
All the Star Trek movies and TV shows combine to form a sprawling saga - even if the JJ Abrams' Kelvin Timeline trilogy unfolds away from the Prime Universe. Although there were no Star Trek shows in the 12 years between Enterprise's 2005 finale and Discovery's 2017 premiere, the TV branch of the franchise continues to be its most prolific area of storytelling. Now, Star Trek is set for an incredibly rare achievement.
Star Trek's 1000th Episode Is Finally In Sight
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 3's finale is scheduled to air on 11th September 2025. While it'll only be the 30th episode of Strange New Worlds, it'll be the 959th episode of the entire Star Trek TV franchise. So, with 41 more installments left to go, it won't be long until Star Trek's 1000th episode is put into production.
Star Trek's continued success through the decades is what has given it such longevity. While 2025's Star Trek: Section 31 gave the franchise its 14th movie, the saga is still predominantly known for its episodic endeavors. The quality of the various shows and movies has understandably fluctuated, but Star Trek has largely endured its occasional failures.
Star Trek's continued success through the decades is what has given it such longevity. While 2025's Star Trek: Section 31 gave the franchise its 14th movie, the saga is still predominantly known for its episodic endeavors. The quality of the various shows and movies has understandably fluctuated, but Star Trek has largely endured its occasional failures.
Every Star Trek TV Show So Far
Star Trek: The Original Series (1966-1969)
Star Trek: The Animated Series (1973-1974)
Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987-1994)
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993-1999)
Star Trek: Voyager (1995-2001)
Star Trek: Enterprise (2001-2005)
Star Trek: Discovery (2017-2024)
Star Trek: Short Treks (2018-2019)
Star Trek: Picard (2020-2023)
Star Trek: Lower Decks (2020-2024)
Star Trek: Prodigy (2021-2024)
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (2022-Present)
Star Trek: The Original Series (1966-1969)
Star Trek: The Animated Series (1973-1974)
Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987-1994)
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993-1999)
Star Trek: Voyager (1995-2001)
Star Trek: Enterprise (2001-2005)
Star Trek: Discovery (2017-2024)
Star Trek: Short Treks (2018-2019)
Star Trek: Picard (2020-2023)
Star Trek: Lower Decks (2020-2024)
Star Trek: Prodigy (2021-2024)
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (2022-Present)
Plus, despite having such a huge library of episodes, Star Trek has continued to present new jumping-on points for aspiring Trekkies. Sure, you could start with The Original Series and watch everything in order of release, or you could start with Star Trek: The Next Generation or literally any of its successors.
While the various shows can be quite referential to one another, they're also designed to be standalone projects. So, Star Trek is still finding new fans due to the decreased intimidation factor of not needing to watch hundreds of episodes to get up to speed.
While the various shows can be quite referential to one another, they're also designed to be standalone projects. So, Star Trek is still finding new fans due to the decreased intimidation factor of not needing to watch hundreds of episodes to get up to speed.
What Will Star Trek's 1000th Episode Look Like?
Although new Star Trek content has been copious in recent years, Strange New Worlds is currently the only show keeping the franchise alive. If that were to remain true, then the fact that the show has already been confirmed to be concluding with season 5 (which will presumably air in 2027) means Strange New Worlds wouldn't be able to get Star Trek to the 1000th-episode mark on its own.
However, as Star Trek: Starfleet Academy is set to debut in 2026, just in time for the franchise's 60th anniversary, Strange New Worlds' confirmed total episode tally means that either show could realistically gain the honor of making Star Trek's 1000th installment in the coming years.
Plus, there are a whole bunch of other Star Trek shows currently being considered at Paramount. There has been mention of William Shatner somehow returning as Captain Kirk in a new show, as well as Scott Bakula getting a sequel show to Star Trek: Enterprise, which would see him reprise his role as Captain/Admiral Jonathon Archer.
So, Star Trek could be set for another dense patch of small-screen projects, making it anyone's guess which show will produce episode 1000 - if, indeed, a special 1000th episode with no direct affiliation to any show isn't made instead. What I am fairly certain of is that the franchise won't let the occasion pass by unmarked.
However Star Trek chooses to celebrate the achievement, I'm sure the episode in question will be packed with references to as many famous characters and storylines as possible - while also remembering to look to the future.
However, as Star Trek: Starfleet Academy is set to debut in 2026, just in time for the franchise's 60th anniversary, Strange New Worlds' confirmed total episode tally means that either show could realistically gain the honor of making Star Trek's 1000th installment in the coming years.
Plus, there are a whole bunch of other Star Trek shows currently being considered at Paramount. There has been mention of William Shatner somehow returning as Captain Kirk in a new show, as well as Scott Bakula getting a sequel show to Star Trek: Enterprise, which would see him reprise his role as Captain/Admiral Jonathon Archer.
So, Star Trek could be set for another dense patch of small-screen projects, making it anyone's guess which show will produce episode 1000 - if, indeed, a special 1000th episode with no direct affiliation to any show isn't made instead. What I am fairly certain of is that the franchise won't let the occasion pass by unmarked.
However Star Trek chooses to celebrate the achievement, I'm sure the episode in question will be packed with references to as many famous characters and storylines as possible - while also remembering to look to the future.