Why Bryan Fuller Left Star Trek: Discovery Before Production Even Began

Bryan Fuller, the creator of beloved genre shows like Pushing Daisies and Hannibal, was originally set to launch the new Star Trek series. However, his development timeline and vision for the franchise differed significantly from what CBS wanted. Fuller was brought on to showrun in early 2016 but was asked to step down by October.

CBS preferred a more cautious approach, starting with one serialized program instead of multiple serialized anthology shows that Fuller envisioned. Fuller also had disagreements with the network regarding the show's budget and the choice of director for the pilot, specifically wanting Edgar Wright. Additionally, CBS wanted to premiere the show by February 2017, which Fuller found challenging as he was actively working on the Starz series American Gods at the time.

Despite these issues, Fuller's exit was taken in stride. He expressed that he got to dream big with the concept but was sad for a week and then compartmentalized his experience. Fuller's ideas for Star Trek: Discovery, such as his proposed Starfleet uniform designs, were thrown out along with the larger anthology concept. However, he successfully ensured that a Black woman would be the lead, leading to the casting of Sonequa Martin-Green.

Fuller was particularly inspired by the representation of black people in the original Star Trek series, particularly Nichelle Nichols as Lt. Uhura, and wanted to continue this representation for a new era. Martin-Green's audition was fantastic, and Fuller found her incredibly insightful as an actor and delightful as a human being.

However, there was a delay as she was on The Walking Dead at the time, which prevented her from being released from the series. Fortunately, Fuller's exit allowed her to become available, and she was cast as the lead of Star Trek: Discovery as the Vulcan-raised human Michael Burnham two months after Fuller left the show. Fuller expressed his happiness that Star Trek finally had a Black woman commanding a Starship.