Star Trek: Discovery showrunners replaced, again

Gretchen Berg and Aaron Harberts (who replaced Bryan Fuller) replaced by Alex Kurtzman

(CBS)

Star Trek: Discovery looks set to go through another huge switch-up, CBS confirming that the current showrunners are being replaced.

Gretchen Berg and Aaron Harberts currently lead the series, having replaced Bryan Fuller during the final episodes of the first season.

Now, the duo themselves are being swapped out for executive producer Alex Kurtzman, who previously wrote the first two rebooted Star Trek movies, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

“We’ve made some producer changes at Star Trek: Discovery,“ a statement from the network reads.

“The series continues under the creative vision and leadership of executive producer and co-creator Alex Kurtzman. Discovery remains on course for season two in 2019 with new and continuing stories that build on its successful premiere season.”

The THR report alleges that Berg and Harberts departed the series not for creative differences but operational issues. The budget for the season two premiere reportedly ballooned past expectations, meaning future episodes will suffer as a result.

Insiders also told the publication that Berg and Harberts were allegedly becoming increasingly abusive to writing staff, with some saying they felt uncomfortable working on the series.

The two former showrunners will likely be credited on the first five episodes of season two, Kurtzman taking over from thereon. The show is said to be taking a planned production hiatus while Kurtzman regroups the writing staff.

Discovery season two will still be released in 2019.