How to watch Star Trek TV Shows in order? Explained 

Star Trek, the science fiction franchise with numerous TV series and films, was created by Gene Roddenberry. The original series dates back to 1966.

Throughout the years, the franchise has expanded the lore with many movies, prequels, sequels, and spin-off series, which have been to the fans' delight.

While the plethora of TV series in the franchise could be overwhelming, we have curated a list of all the Star Trek series according to their timeline because watching the franchise chronologically is the best way. The franchise begins in the 22nd century and travels to the 32nd century.

Here are the Star Trek TV Shows in order, according to their timeline.

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Star Trek TV shows in order, according to their timeline

1) Star Trek: Enterprise (2001-2005)

While Enterprise premiered in 2001 and is the sixth series in the universe, it is set in the 22nd century, between 2151 and 2161, which makes it the first series if you are watching according to the timeline. It also serves as the official prequel to the original series set 100 years before the events of the original.

The series follows the first space explorers in Starfleet aboard the first spaceship, Enterprise. The first warp-five capable vessel is led by Scott Bakula's Captain Jonathan Archer, whose father developed the first warp engine but died before using it. The Temporal Cold War storyline added a layer of mystery to the series, which ran for four seasons.

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2) Star Trek: Discovery Seasons 1-2 (2017-2019)

It is the seventh Trek series overall, but the first two seasons of Discovery are set in the 23rd century, between 2256 and 2258, which makes them the second in the timeline. The show is set a decade before the original series, making it a direct sequel to Enterprise.

Discovery Seasons 1 and 2 follow the war between the United Federation of Planets and the Klingon Empire, started by Commander Michael Burnham's (Sonequa Martin-Green) actions. Season 2 followed a massive time jump, which made the rest of the seasons fall in a different timeline.

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3) Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (2022 onward)

This ongoing series is the eleventh series but it falls early in the timeline because it is set in the 23rd century, i.e., 2259 onwards. Season 3 is set to release in 2025, and the show has already been renewed for Season 4.

Starring Anson Mount and Ethan Peck, this modern take on Star Trek follows Captain Christopher Pike aboard the starship USS Enterprise (NCC-1701). While the show is modern, it is set a decade before the original show and follows the crew's adventures as they discover new worlds across the galaxy. While the show is ongoing, fans can still catch up on two seasons to follow the franchise's timeline.

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4) Star Trek: The Original Series (1966-1969)

The series that started it all in 1966 falls fourth in the overall timeline because of its setting between 2266 and 2269. While TOS was canceled, it became immensely popular, giving rise to a sequel, which could not progress. But the show made way to numerous Star Trek movies and shows, expanding on the lore.

Led by William Shatner's Captain James T. Kirk, science officer Spock, and medical officer Leonard H. "Bones" McCoy, the show follows the crew's adventures, searching for new worlds across the Milky Way Galaxy.

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5) Star Trek: The Animated Series (1973-1974)

The Animated series, which premiered after the cancellation of TOS, expanded on the franchise's lore. Set between 2269 and 2270, The Animated Series featured most of the original cast members, who reprised their roles as voice actors, and the show proved to be immensely popular.

It continued on the adventures of the USS Enterprise, under the Starfleet division, who continued on their mission to establish contact with otherworldly beings.

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6) Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987-1994)

The third series in the franchise aired right after the animated series and also follows the chronological order, as it is set in the 24th century, between 2364 and 2370.

Patrick Stewart and Jonathan Frakes debuted as the Captain and Commander of the USS Enterprise-D, which is a part of the Starfleet division. The show, which ran for seven seasons, follows the ship's adventures as it searches for the Alpha Quadrant and Beta Quadrant in the Milky Way. The success of the show gave way to Deep Space Nine.

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7) Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993-1999)

Deep Space Nine, the spin-off that was commissioned after the success of Next Generation, is set between 2369 and 2375. The series expanded on the Next Generation elements and had many firsts in the franchise.

Firstly, it was the first series that was created without the involvement of franchise creator Gene Roddenberry and secondly, it was the first series to have an African American lead, Avery Brooks' Captain Benjamin Sisko.

In addition, it was the first show set in a space station instead of a starship, which was located close to a wormhole.

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8) Star Trek: Voyager (1995-2001)

After a Black lead, Voyager was the first series in the franchise to introduce a female lead in Kate Mulgrew's Captain Kathryn Janeway, who was the female commanding officer of USS Voyager.

Voyager was created to assist in expanding the lore started in Next Generation, and it also ran for seven seasons, assisting Deep Space Nine. The story also maintained an important theme from the series, mainly the relationship between ex-Federation colonists Maquis and the Starfleet division.

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9) Star Trek: Lower Decks (2020 onward)

Another animated and modern adaptation and the ninth series in the franchise, Lower Decks, falls here on the timeline because it was set in the 24th century, 2380 onward.

The most unique series of the lot, Lower Decks, followed the employees' adventures at the USS Cerritos' lowest rungs. While previous shows focused on captains and commanders, this animated series focused on crew members who had menial jobs like human ensigns, tactical officers, and medical crew.

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10) Star Trek: Prodigy (2021 onward)

The first and only 3-D animated series of the franchise, Prodigy, ran for two seasons and was set in the 24th century, 2383 onward.

Mulgrew reprised her character from Voyager in the show's second season and followed the adventures of the alien crew aboard USS Protostar, who have to make their way to the Alpha Quadrant.

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11) Star Trek: Picard (2020-2023)

Set between 2399 and 2402, Picard saw the return of Stewart's Admiral Jean-Luc Picard from The Next Generation. His last appearance was in Star Trek: Nemesis, after which he was troubled by the events in the film.

The show follows the return of Picard's old nemesis Q, an extra-dimensional being, and Picard's consciousness is trapped in another artificial time. Picard travels back to the 21st century to find answers to his past and save the galaxy.

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12) Star Trek: Discovery Seasons 3-5 (2020-2024)

Discovery's later seasons were set in the 32nd century, 3188-onward, following the huge time jump at the end of Season 2, which places them chronologically late.

After Burnham's court-martial and the ship's fight with Red Angel, it travels 900 years ahead in the future in Season 3, where the Federation is fragmented after a destructive event called the Burn. The later seasons follow their adventures as they investigate the Burn and rebuild the Federation.

A short anthology series, Star Trek: Short Treks, was also released in companion with Discovery from 2018-2020.

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13) Star Trek: Starfleet Academy (2025)

The latest series in the franchise and also the most far in the future, Starfleet Academy is set in the 32nd century and will serve as a direct sequel to Discovery.

The show follows the training of many Starfleet cadets as they will become captains and commanders in the future. Holly Hunter stars as captain and chancellor of Starfleet Academy. The show does not have a release date for Season 1 as of yet!

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