5 Years of Prodigy

October 14, 2026

Hey, cruisers!

It feels like just yesterday we were first introduced to a ragtag group of alien kids escaping the dreary mines of Tars Lamora aboard a sleek, experimental Starfleet vessel called the USS Protostar. But believe it or not, this October marks the 5th anniversary of Star Trek: Prodigy!

When Prodigy launched in 2021, it brought a fresh, vibrant, and accessible entry point into the franchise. Dal, Gwyn, Rok-Tahk, Jankom Pog, Zero, and Murf didn’t start out as disciplined Starfleet cadets. They were underdogs—kids who had never even heard of the Federation, let alone its ideals.

Guided by a holographic Hologram Janeway as well as the legendary Admiral Janeway herself, The Doctor, Chakotay, and of course Wesley Crusher, we watched them learn the values of teamwork, empathy, leadership, and second chances wasn’t just fantastic television; it was a fabulous distillation of the fun, adventure, intelligence, and heart that Star Trek has always been about. It reminded us all why we fell in love with this universe in the first place. Plus, it gave us the absolute, unbridled joy of Murf—undoubtedly one of the greatest, most indestructible Mellanoid Slime Worms in galactic history!

I was thrilled to write a Star Trek: Prodigy: Supernova, a novel that filled in the gap between seasons one and two and the popular video game. Over the last five years, Prodigy has built a passionate, dedicated, and multi-generational fanbase. It’s been so much fun watching parents, kids, and lifelong legacy fans come together to celebrate this show.

And, of course, that spirit shines bright whenever we set sail on Star Trek: The Cruise. You might remember me cosplaying as Murph a few years ago, have had the chance to chat with Dr. Erin Mcdonald, who famously taught Rok-Tahk temporal mechanics, had a photo with Admiral Janeway herself, Kate Mulgrew, or plan on welcoming Bonnie Gordon, who voices the USS Protostar’s computer on board, Prodigy has firmly cemented its place in our cruise family.

As we continue celebrating 60 years of the franchise and look ahead to our 10th Anniversary sailing in 2027, taking a moment for Prodigy reminds us that it’s up to us to help the next generation find their way to the bridge.