Strange New Worlds Finale Nearly Ended the Series, Goldsman Says
Showrunner Akiva Goldsman says the Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 4 finale was written before season 5 was confirmed, and was almost the show's ending.
The Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 4 finale was almost the last episode of the series, according to showrunner Akiva Goldsman. Goldsman said the episode, titled "Tomorrow's Enterprise," was written before the team knew whether the show would be renewed for a fifth season.
Once the renewal was confirmed, the finale was re-engineered so it would not serve as the show's ending. Goldsman's comments were reported by polygon.com.
The finale aired last week, closing out season 4. In 2025, Paramount+ announced that Strange New Worlds would receive a fifth and final season.
That final season will be truncated, containing only six episodes rather than the typical 10 episodes of previous seasons. Goldsman, co-showrunner Henry Alonso Myers, and series co-creator Alex Kurtzman said they were "deeply grateful to Paramount+ for the chance to complete our five-season mission, just as we envisioned it, alongside our extraordinary cast and crew."
Quick answers
Was the Strange New Worlds season 4 finale meant to end the series?
Showrunner Akiva Goldsman said the finale, "Tomorrow's Enterprise," was almost the episode to end the show with. It was written before the team knew whether the show would be renewed for a fifth season, and was re-engineered once they learned season 4 would not be the end.
How many episodes will Strange New Worlds season 5 have?
Season 5 will be truncated and contain only six episodes, compared with the typical 10 episodes in previous seasons.