‘Star Trek: Discovery’ Loses More Showrunners, Shifts Behind The Scenes Production Team

Boldly going where no man has gone before has required another major leadership change. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the current showrunners for CBS All Access’ Star Trek: Discovery‘ have been  kicked out and replaced by executive producer Alex Kurtzman. The decision to oust Aaron Harberts and Gretchen Berg had to do with operational and leadership issues.

Figuring out who’s in charge of Star Trek: Discovery can sometimes feel like a saga in and of itself. The series was originally helmed by Byran Fuller, who is known for his work on shows like Hannibal, Pushing Daisies, and American Gods. After largely coordinating the creative direction for Star Trek: Discovery, Fuller stepped down so he could work on his other projects (he later left those projects too, STARZ’s American Gods and Apple’s Amazing Stories). Harberts and Berg, Fuller’s Pushing Daisies‘ collaborators, were then given command of the Bridge. Now they’re out and Kurtzman is in.

According to reports, the decision to let go of the showrunner pair had to do with budgetary problems and staff mistreatment. Harberts and Berg were almost finished completing the first five episodes of Star Trek: Discovery Season 2. But the cost to produce those episodes went over budget, and the creators were expecting to take the costs out of subsequent Season 2 episodes.

There have also been claims from insiders that Harberts and Berg were abusive to Star Trek: Discovery‘s writing staff. At one point, Harberts allegedly leaned across the writing table and screamed an explicative at a member of the show’s staff. Several writers either went to HR with complaints about the showrunners or quit the series altogether. When Harberts heard of these HR complaints, he allegedly threatened the staff so they would keep their complaints internal.

“We’ve made some producer changes at Star Trek: Discovery. The series continues under the creative vision and leadership of executive producer and co-creator Alex Kurtzman. Discovery remains on course for season two in 2019 with new and continuing stories that build on its successful premiere season,” CBS said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter.

As far as replacement Star Trek showrunners go, Alex Kurtzman is a pretty good choice. Not only did he work closely on Discovery‘s first season, but he’s also worked on some of the franchise’s feature films. He will act as showrunner for Season 2 and oversee the writer’s room. But Kurtzman doesn’t come completely drama-free.

In the same article, The Hollywood Reporter revealed that executive producer Akiva Goldsman did not return to the series. Goldsman was described as serving as Kurtzman’s “right-hand man” during Season 1. The show producer and director of Season 1’s finale reportedly left after clashing with the production’s management style and writer’s room. It’s unclear if he will return now that Kurtzman is fully in charge.

As successful as Star Trek: Discovery has been for CBS All Access, the flagship drama has also been a headache for the streaming service. The series, which was supposed to premiere in January of 2017, was pushed back to May, and since it was announced, four people have now been named Star Trek: Discovery’s showrunner. It’s been a lot. Here’s hoping Season 2 sorts itself out for CBS All Access’ sake.

Stream Star Trek: Discovery on CBS All Access