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Tawny Newsome brings Lower Decks' comedy lessons to Starfleet Academy.
Summary
Tawny Newsome, who voiced Beckett Mariner on Star Trek: Lower Decks, is a writer and co-producer on Star Trek: Starfleet Academy and says she applies creator Mike McMahan's approach of celebrating Star Trek through comedy. The series premieres with two episodes on January 15 on Paramount+.
Content
Tawny Newsome is a writer and co-producer on Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, which premieres with two episodes on January 15 on Paramount+. She spent five seasons voicing Ensign/Lieutenant Beckett Mariner on Star Trek: Lower Decks before joining the Starfleet Academy creative team. At the series' world premiere, Newsome said she carries lessons from Lower Decks creator Mike McMahan into the new show, aiming for comedy that does not "punch down" but instead lifts up and celebrates Star Trek. Newsome also worked as the writers' room's continuity cop and co-wrote episode 5 with Kirsten Beyer.
Key points:
- Star Trek: Starfleet Academy premieres on January 15 on Paramount+ with two episodes and lists Alex Kurtzman and Noga Landau as executive producers.
- Newsome voiced Beckett Mariner for five seasons on Star Trek: Lower Decks before moving into a writer and co-producer role for Starfleet Academy.
- In the Starfleet Academy writers' room, Newsome served as a continuity cop and co-wrote episode 5 with Kirsten Beyer.
- Newsome said she follows Mike McMahan's philosophy of writing comedy that celebrates Star Trek rather than undercutting it.
- Alex Kurtzman described Newsome as "a stone-cold killer" in recognition of her writing work, and Newsome and Jack Quaid previously appeared in a live-action crossover episode directed by Jonathan Frakes.
- Newsome is also developing a Star Trek live-action comedy that is awaiting word from Paramount Skydance.
Summary:
Newsome's involvement brings elements of Lower Decks' comedic sensibility into Starfleet Academy while the show keeps ties to Star Trek's broader themes of teamwork and adventure. The series debuts on Paramount+ on January 15 with two episodes, and separate developments about Newsome's live-action comedy remain pending.
