The Star Trek franchise is bringing back one of its main characters with a new story that explores a previously unseen chapter. However, the story will arrive as part of a comic series rather than a television or film project.
Titled Star Trek: Crusher, the comic centers on Dr. Beverly Crusher. Actress Gates McFadden is penning the limited comic series for IDW Publishing, Variety reports. McFadden famously played the role in several Star Trek projects, starting with Star Trek: The Next Generation in 1987.
Megan Levens handles the art while Charlie Kirchoff serves as the colorist in the Crusher comic. In addition to McFadden’s return to the iconic role, it also marks her comic-book writing debut.
McFadden played the Enterprise doctor across six seasons of The Next Generation. She also appeared in all four TNG movies, including Star Trek: Generations, Star Trek: First Contact, Star Trek: Insurrection, and Star Trek: Nemesis. She returned to play the older version of the character in the final season of Star Trek: Picard in 2023.
How Gates McFadden is exploring Beverly Crusher’s missing years
The comic covers a roughly 20-year stretch missing from Beverly Crusher’s on-screen story. That period begins after Star Trek: Nemesis and leads into the events of Star Trek: Picard Season 3.
“It’s such an honor to return to Starfleet and expand Beverly Crusher’s storyline in a whole new way,” the 77-year-old told Variety. “I’ve spent years bringing the words of other great writers to life in Beverly’s shoes, so it’s inspiring and thrilling to now be the one scripting a new chapter in this fabulous character’s saga.”
IDW has yet to share the plot details. The announcement arrives as Star Trek celebrates its 60th anniversary. IDW CEO Davidi Jonas highlighted the narrative potential of the era in his statement. “There is a 20-year gap in the fan-favorite character’s story. Who better to tell it than Beverly Crusher herself?” he said.
The Star Trek: Crusher comic series is planned to launch in summer 2027.
