Star Trek: Prodigy creator Kevin Hageman has confirmed that the animated series will be set in the Prime Universe along with the rest of the main Star Trek shows. The series is the first Star Trek property to be aimed specifically toward children, with the aim to bring new generations of Trekkies into the fold. Star Trek: Prodigy will premiere on Nickelodeon on October 28 with a one-hour special episode.
The series, which has already been greenlit for a season 2, will explore different periods throughout the timeline of the Star Trek shows. The cast includes Jason Mantzoukas (Big Mouth), Dee Bradley Baker (Star Wars: The Bad Batch), Jimmi Simpson (Westworld), John Noble (Fringe), Ella Purnell, Brett Gray, Angus Imrie, and Rylee Alazraqui. The show will also feature the return of Star Trek: Voyager's Kate Mulgrew as Captain Kathryn Janeway.
In an interview with TrekMovie.com, Kevin Hageman (who created the series with his brother Dan) broke down where Prodigy is placed within the Star Trek universe. Although the show is most closely linked to Star Trek: Voyager thanks to the presence of Captain Janeway, it will explore elements from the film universe and the constellation of Star Trek series on Paramount+. All of this will be taking place in the Prime Universe and not the Kelvin Timeline introduced in the Abrams movies, keeping Prodigy in continuity with every other Star Trek show. Read the full quote here:
"Yes, [it takes place in] in the Prime Universe. When we started, we wanted to have a very big cinematic scope. And part of that was for Dan and I, our introduction to Star Trek was through the movies. Wrath of Khan was our first way in. And so I think you'll see big drama, big scope in our animated series. I would say it's very influenced by the movies, if anything."
Star Trek: Prodigy is about a group of rogue teens led by the character Dal. The group happens across an abandoned Starfleet vessel called the U.S.S. Protostar and use the ship as their ticket to a better life. The series will explore the perspective of characters who are unfamiliar with Starfleet, learning about its principles and ideals as they go along. Captain Janeway will be guiding the teens in the form of a hologram.
Star Trek: Prodigy will be joining its fellow animated series Star Trek: Lower Decks in exploring every nook and cranny of the Trek that came before. Although the latter series does this with the intention of poking fun at some of the idiosyncrasies and inconsistencies the franchise has exhibited in its decades of existence, Prodigy is likely going to treat these prior outings with a little more gravity. Or, at least as much gravity as is possible for a children's program. It makes sense that, in order to properly have its characters (and by extension, the audience) learn about the ins and outs of Trek, it needs to have pride of place in the proper universe.
Source: TrekMovie.com