Blame Ryan Murphy if Angela Bassett is Too Busy for Bryan Fuller’s ‘Star Trek’

Bryan Fuller’s CBS All-Access revival of Star Trek has upped its fan cred twice over with the additions of Nicholas Meyer and Rod Roddenberry, though many also point to Fuller’s diversity pledge with past suggestions of Angela Bassett and Rosario Dawson. Sadly, Bassett doesn’t believe herself available, and we have American Horror Story to blame.

We don’t yet know what to expect from Bryan Fuller’s take on a new 2017 vision of Star Trek, though many were quick to reference the Hannibal creator’s 2013 words to Den of Geek that “I want Angela Bassett to be the captain, that’s who I would love to have, you know Captain Angela Bassett and First Officer Rosario Dawson.”

Granted, Dawson seems reasonably busy as a go-between of Marvel’s Netflix Defenders, but E! News unfortunately dispelled likelihood that Bassett would leave behind American Horror Story for a role:

That’s thrilling, that’s very nice, but how am I going to do that and American Horror? How is that going to work? … Oh my gosh, and raise twins?

That would seem to confirm Angela Bassett’s presence for American Horror Story Season 6 (Lady Gaga recently also confirmed a return), where previously series creator Ryan Murphy had only mentioned a role in mind for the Coven, Freak Show and Hotel star.

Hannibal and American Gods showrunner Fuller will headline the new streaming iteration of Star Trek as co-creator and executive producer, while the series looks to chart its own course with new characters and adventures independent of the core franchise. So reads the initial synopsis for the series, which debuts on CBS in January 2017 before moving to All-Access:

The brand-new “Star Trek” will introduce new characters seeking imaginative new worlds and new civilizations, while exploring the dramatic contemporary themes that have been a signature of the franchise since its inception in 1966.

Fellow producer Alex Kurtzman wrote both the 2009 Star Trek reboot and its 2013 sequel with frequent partner Roberto Orci, though Orci has no involvement in the new TV series. Surprisingly, the new series will not have any ties to the upcoming Star Trek Beyond.

Fuller may not see every aspect of his initial vision through, but can his new TV Star Trek live up to the old?

Check Out 100 TV Facts You May Not Know!