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Star Trek: Lower Decks

Star Trek: Lower Decks is an American adult animated science fiction comedy television series created by Mike McMahan for CBS All Access, later Paramount+.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Star Trek: Lower Decks is an American adult animated science fiction comedy television series created by Mike McMahan for CBS All Access, later Paramount+. It is the ninth Star Trek television series and the first animated Star Trek comedy, following the support crew aboard the USS Cerritos in the late 24th century.

Premise

The series follows the support crew aboard the USS Cerritos in the Star Trek universe, focusing on lower-ranking officers rather than the bridge crew. The setting is in 2380, within the late 24th century.

Production and release

Created by Mike McMahan, the series premiered on CBS All Access in August 2020 and later continued on Paramount+. It became the first animated Star Trek comedy and the franchise’s first animated series since the 1970s.

Reception

Star Trek: Lower Decks was generally well received by critics and earned industry recognition, including Primetime Creative Arts Emmy nominations and a Hugo Award.

Relation to Star Trek canon

The series is part of the broader Star Trek franchise and draws on established canon, including Starfleet, the United Federation of Planets, and references to earlier Star Trek series.

Key facts

  • The series centers on the lower-ranked support crew of the USS Cerritos, one of Starfleet’s least important ships.
  • It is the first animated Star Trek series since Star Trek: The Animated Series ended in 1974.
  • The show combines science fiction with comedy and adult animation.
  • The main cast includes Ensigns Mariner, Boimler, Rutherford, and Tendi.
  • The series ran for five seasons and 50 episodes, ending in 2024.
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Canadian context

The series was distributed in Canada through Paramount+, making it part of the Star Trek catalogue available to Canadian streaming audiences.

Frequently asked questions

What is Star Trek: Lower Decks about?
It follows the support crew of the USS Cerritos, focusing on lower-ranking Starfleet officers and their missions and personal lives.
Who created Star Trek: Lower Decks?
The series was created by Mike McMahan.
When did Star Trek: Lower Decks premiere?
It premiered on August 6, 2020, on CBS All Access.
How many seasons does it have?
The series has five seasons.
Is it canon to Star Trek?
Yes. It is an official Star Trek television series set within the franchise’s established continuity.
What ship does the series feature?
The main setting is the USS Cerritos, a Starfleet ship.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Trek:_Lower_Decks
    Supports: Premise, creator, premiere date, seasons, episodes, setting, reception
  2. StarTrek.com — https://www.startrek.com/series/star-trek-lower-decks
    Supports: Premise, main characters, USS Cerritos, setting in 2380
  3. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9184820/
    Supports: Release date and series identification