“We have places to go” – Scott Bakula wanted Star Trek: Enterprise to continue for more seasons

When Star Trek: Enterprise was canceled by UPN after four seasons, it led to outrage from fans, who started a campaign to save it. However, the network remained firm on the decision, disappointing the audience.

Interestingly, fans were not the only ones who wanted the sci-fi series to continue for more seasons. In a 2023 interview with TrekMovie.com, actor Scott Bakula, who played the lead role of Captain Jonathan Archer, echoed similar thoughts.

Bakula said that Star Trek: Enterprise deserved to go on for at least seven seasons, like most shows in the franchise before it. He cited a lack of syndication as one of the reasons behind the series’ cancellation and said:

“Had we been syndicated, we would have gotten an easy seven [seasons], easy breezy. And our numbers were beyond what anybody else had done when we started out, but the nature of network television… it was just a different animal.”

When Scott Bakula talked about Star Trek: Enterprise’s cancellation

Scott Bakula further talked about what led to Star Trek: Enterprise’s cancellation after Season 4, revealing that there was an overhaul in the network’s hierarchy, which negatively impacted the show. The actor added that though he is grateful for his time on the show, he wished that it had gone on for more seasons:

“There were lots of changes in the hierarchy, of not only Paramount but of the network. And we were there at an kind of an unfortunate time. And yet I still have to say, gratefully, we got four seasons. But yeah, it would have been nice to do more. We certainly had more stories to tell, we have places to go, but it didn’t work out.”

Bakula also said that he was still open to reprising his role as Jonathan Archer in a future Star Trek show, whether it be a live-action or an animated project:

“I’ve been doing this too long to ever say never or no to anybody. I talk to everybody about stuff. So, sure. I’ve done a bunch of animated voice-over work and animation, so I enjoy it. It just hasn’t come across my desk. But I do appreciate being referred to as ‘legacy’ as opposed to ‘old Trek.’ That’s very nice.”

Star Trek: Enterprise served as a prequel to The Original Series, and was set in the 22nd century. The show chronicled the adventures of Captain Jonathan Archer, Commander Trip Tucker, Sub-commander T’Pol, and their team as they came across various galaxies and species while exploring a new part of the Star Trek universe.

The series premiered in 2001 and initially received mixed reviews, after which the creators introduced various changes in the storyline. It eventually achieved a loyal fan base but was canceled in 2005 after four seasons. Fans were left heartbroken by the development and started a letter-writing campaign to persuade UPN to renew the show.

Following the conclusion of Star Trek: Enterprise, there was no Star Trek series on air for over a decade. The franchise finally returned in 2017 with the sequel series, Discovery, and has since introduced multiple spin-offs like Picard and Strange New Worlds.

Talking about the new shows in the franchise, Scott Bakula said the series is able to resonate with the audience due to its relevance to current times:

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“The reason that it stays relevant, sadly, is that we have most of the same issues still exists on our planet. We have not made the jump to figuring out that we’re all in this together… that’s straight out of the Trek playbook.”

All seasons of Star Trek: Enterprise are available to stream on Paramount+.

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