‘Star Trek: Discovery’ May Use the Late Majel Barrett’s Voice
There’s no one measure of Majel Barrett’s contribution to Star Trek, whether Nurse Chapel, Lwaxana Troi or the omnipresence of computer voices in later seasons, but Star Trek: Discovery may pay more tribute to Barrett than its “Number One” lead. According to reports, Barrett’s digitized voice may also feature into the new series as well.
Take this with a minor grain of salt for the moment, but the official Gene Roddenberry Twitter account claims that Barrett’s iconic voice could show up on more than just Star Trek: Discovery, potentially even your iPhone:
Incorporating Barrett’s voice would certainly bring the actor-producer’s legendary tenure full-circle, having voiced computers as far back as the original Star Trek, and portrayed the pilot “Number One” character (pictured above) who inspired Discovery’s lead role. Barrett also played Nurse Christine Chapel in the original series, before popping up as Lwaxana Troi on Star Trek: The Next Generation, and providing computer voices as far as the 2009 Star Trek reboot, before her death.
Shooting in Toronto this fall, the new 13-episode Star Trek: Discovery is officially said to take place 10 years before Kirk’s original Enterprise mission, as well to be “heavily serialized,” akin to a novel, more-so than an episodic nature. The new series will also feature a non-captain female lead, and explore the fallout of an event referenced, but never seen in the original series.
Bryan Fuller will headline the new streaming iteration of Star Trek as co-creator and executive producer, while Wrath of Khan director Nicholas Meyer has also joined alongside Gene Roddenberry’s son Rod, fan-favorite Voyager novel alum Kirsten Beyer, franchise vet Joe Menosky and Heroes writer Aron Coleite. 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.
Additional details will emerge within the next few months, including an updated ship design, but what else should we expect from the new streaming Star Trek: Discovery?
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