Summary
Star Trekis targeting a younger audience through its 3D animated series,Prodigy,which is available on Netflix. The second season was released earlier this month, and Robert Picardo, who had reprised his role as The Doctor in the show, hopedStar Trek: Prodigywould be renewed for more seasons.
Star Trek: Prodigyfrom Emmy Award winners Kevin and Dan Hageman is the 10th series from theStar Trekfranchise and it debuted in 2021. The animated series appeals to a younger audience as it follows a group of young aliens in the 24th century who find theabandoned starship Protostarand discover the Starfleet. Although the first season received positive reviews from critics and the show won the Children’s and Family Emmy Award, Paramount Plus abruptly canceled it before the second season aired.Prodigyfound a new home on Netflix, andPicardo, who joined the second season, hoped the series would continue for more seasons.
Picardo reprised his role as The Doctor inStar Trek: ProdigySeason 2, which premiered on Netflix on July 1. In an exclusive interview withScreen Rant, they talked about a third season and theInnerspaceactor was hoping that the streaming giant would giveStar Trek: Prodigya greenlight since the series had the potential. He also hoped that Netflix would learn from his friend Bryan Cranston’s showYour Honor,which had modest viewers when it aired on TV but became a huge hit when it was moved to Netflix. Picardo believed thatProdigyhad the same potential. He said, “There’s an example of a show, likeProdigy, that started elsewhere. They picked it up. And if they recognize [Prodigy’s] potential, I think it should definitely get a season three and hopefully more. But it’ll depend on not only viewership but re-viewership. So I hope that young viewers, once they make it through season two, will go back and watch them all again.”
Picardo’s return to the franchise was confirmed at last year’sStar Trek Las Vegaswhen the producers played a four-minute footage forProdigySeason 2. The Doctor’s comeback was the biggest news that day and Picardo said he was delighted that the cat was finally out of the bag because he waited so long for the public to know it. According to him, he did most of his recording for the show two to three years ago. As for his return, Picardo considered it “poetic” because he playedThe Doctor virtually onVoyagerand did the same onProdigy. He added that he had always seen his character as a teacher at Starfleet Academy, mentoring young Starfleet cadets.
Picardo’s wish forStar Trek: ProdigySeason 3 is likely to happen because the animated series has gained thousands of fans worldwide. When Paramount Plus canceled the show,fans united to save the programusing the hashtag #SaveStarTrekProdigy. They also went as far as to fly a banner over Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon HQ with the message “#SAVE STAR STREK PRODIGY.” Their efforts worked because Netflix picked up the series months after Paramount Plus dropped it. There arepros and cons in writing aStar Trekprogram for kidswhen most fans are adults, but it seemingly works because it visibly resonates with both young and adult viewers. Also, numerous fans had already expressed their interest inStar Trek: ProdigySeason 3 after watching Season 2. So, Picardo is not alone in wanting a third season or more. WhetherProdigywill be renewed or canceled is something only Netflix can tell, so fans should wait for further announcements about the show.
