The Nacelle Company Plans History Channel ‘Star Trek’ Documentary ‘The Center Seat: 55 Years Of Star Trek’
by Erik Amaya
While “the center seat” may not be the most popular euphemism for the captain’s chair on Star Trek, it is a wonderful way to label not just the captain’s physical place on the bridge, but their role as supreme executive authority on a starship as a whole. Used seemingly once — in Star Trek: The Motion Picture of all places — it is interesting to note when it reappears in Star Trek lore and discussion.
It might be one of the reasons we’re excited to learn The Nacelle Company, makers of The Toys That Made Us, will produce a documentary series about Star Trek called The Center Seat: 55 Years Of Star Trek. According to Deadline, the 8-part History Channel program will “offer Trekkies a behind-the-scenes look at pivotal moments in the franchise’s history — from its inception at Lucille Ball’s production company, Desilu, through recent film and television adaptations.” And considering its longevity, there are plenty of pivotal moments both on and off screen. The program will strive to tell fresh stories and even examine Star Trek: The Animated Series and the abandoned Star Trek: Phase II project which ultimately molted into The Motion Picture.
In a statement, executive producer Brian Volk-Weiss said, “If it wasn’t for the words ‘I don’t believe in the no-win scenario,’ I’d be very alone, broke, and miserable in this world. So to say this is a passion project would be a tremendous understatement.” To see some of that passion on display, just take a look at the Toys That Made Us episode about Star Trek.
Ian Roumain will serve as showrunner with Gates McFadden, Cisco Henson and Mark Altman onboard as executive producers.
