Finally, the universe is in order with the Star Trek timeline
Star Trek - infinite space, infinite confusion. This ultimate Star Trek timeline provides an overview of all movies, TV and audiobook series.
Infinite expanses – this not only applies to space itself, but also to the Star Trek universe. As a long-running television programme of 7 series, with a total of 725 episodes, 13 movie spin-offs, 700 novels, as well as short stories – even die-hard fans can lose track of them. To the rescue: our Star Trek timeline, finally bringing order to the universe.
The Star Trek saga was not told chronologically but was grouped with numerous prequels and sequels around the original series of 1966. To cause more confusion, some of the spin-offs play on an alternative timeline, the Kelvin timeline (in our graphic in purple). The original timeline has since been called the Prime Timeline and is home to the original series, its history and various sequels. On our full Star Trek timeline, it is shown in blue.
We present all the films, TV and radio series of the Star Trek universe in the chronological order of the plot. So, the timeline does not represent the story of its origins, but rather the chronological sequence of all stories of the Star Trek universe – regardless of whether it is a TV series, film, or audiobook series. (We have left out the more than 1,000 comics that are also part of the franchise).
▶ More about this topic: All Star Trek audiobooks on Audible.
Star Trek: Enterprise (TV series from 2001-2005)
Our Star Trek timeline begins in 2151. Captain Jonathan Archer took over the command of the very first Warp-5 Powered Starship: Enterprise NX-01. Onboard are his dog Porthos, his chief engineer and friend "Trip" Tucker, the scientist officer T'Pol of the Vulcans and a crew of 80. Their mission: to explore space and make contact with other civilisations.
Originally, this prequel about the first human forays into space was supposed to consist of seven seasons. Unfortunately, after just four, it came to an end after a decline in audience ratings.
Kelvin Timeline (films from 2009, 2013 and 2016)
The three feature films Star Trek, Star Trek into Darkness, and Star Trek Beyond were set in the years 2258 to 2260, but on a parallel timeline, the Kelvin timeline. This ‘trick’ allowed director Jeffrey Jacob Abrams to let his imagination run wild, regardless of the main universe. The Kelvin timeline owes its name to the Federation spaceship, U.S.S Kelvin. This will be destroyed at the beginning of the 2009 movie by the spaceship of the Romulan Nero, which comes from the future. As a result, the time continuum is confused and an alternative timeline is created. The hero of these films is a young Captain Kirk (played by Chris Pine), who experiences with his crew a quite different adventure to the Kirk played by William Shatner in the original series.
Star Trek: Rise of the Federation (Audiobook series 2017- 2019)
Back to the Prime Timeline: it continues with the years after 2162. The Series Star Trek: Rise of the Federation was invented. The hero, Jonathan Archer, Captain of the U.S.S. Endeavour (later the U.S.S. Pioneer). As the leader of the Starfleet, he defends a group of non-Federation planets. This is an opportunity for the still-young Federation to position itself as an interstellar power.
Star Trek: Discovery (TV series and audiobook series from 2017-2020)
In 2255, a hundred years after Captain Archer's adventures and ten years before Captain Kirk's adventures, the Starfleet officer Michael Burnham launched a war between the Federation and the Klingon Empire. This was the prelude to a series of events that took place on board the U.S.S. Discovery under the command of Captain Philippa Georgiou and later Captain Gabriel Lorca and Captain Christopher Pike. The American TV series "Star Trek: Discovery" covers the years up to 2269. In flashbacks, you will learn about Burnham's childhood and get to know the Vulcan diplomat Sarek, the father of Spock, among others. So far, the TV series comprises two seasons, the third is expected to start in mid-2020. The audiobook series Star Trek: Discovery is based on the novels of the TV series. It starts in 2256 and is comprised of three parts, the first of which was released by Audible in 2018.
Star Trek: The Original Series (TV series from 1966 – 1969)
The original, known by fans as TOS ("the original series"), ran on NBC from 1966 to 1969. In this series, Captain James Tiberius Kirk and his crew crossed the Milky Way between 2265 and 2269. The series was conceived by Gene Roddenberry and consisted of three seasons with a total of 79 episodes. At the time, this series was not very popular, but with its pacifist attitude, it matched the spirit of the time. Only after the series was discontinued in 1969 did it develop into a much-loved hit and one of the largest media franchises in the world.
Star Trek: Vanguard and Seekers (audiobook series from 2010 – 2018)
The audiobook series based on eight novels, "Star Trek: Vanguard" like the original series, plays from 2265 to 2269, but not on the "Enterprise", but on the Vanguard. Captain James T. Kirk is to have his damaged spaceship repaired. He realises that the Vanguard is not what it seems to be – a suspicion that has already come to the Tholians, Orions and the Klingon Empire.
In another mission, the teams of the reconnaissance company U.S.S. Sagittarius and the Crusader U.S.S. Endeavour, under the command of Captain Atish Khatami, reveals the secrets of the Taurus region. In the process, a Klingon captain and the mysterious people of the Tomol intersperse with them, whose members commit ritual suicide when they enter adulthood.
The Star Trek feature films (1979 to 1986)
The six Star Trek feature films, which were screened in the 1980s, cover the events of 2273 to 2293. The hero of these films is Captain Kirk, played by William Shatner. The films are also known as the era of William Shatner. In particular, it is "Star Trek: The Motion Picture" (1979), "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan" (1982), "Star Trek III: The Search for Spock” (1984), "Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home" (1986), "Star Trek V: The Final Frontier" (1989) and "Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country" (1991). In the fifth part, Shatner even directed himself. In the sixth, he said goodbye to the big screen to make room for the "Next Generation" of Jean-Luc Picard.
Star Trek: The Next Generation (TV series 1987 to 1994)_
The success of the feature films made Paramount pictures create another series with new actors and a more modern spaceship: The Next Generation, in Trekkie-jargon, TNG. The plot takes a casual leap of 78 years and resumes in 2364. Jean-Luc Picard, a Frenchman, was captain of the Enterprise-D. At his side: the first officer William Riker, the ship's counsellor Deanna Troi, the Android Data, the Klingon Worf, the marine doctor Beverly Crusher and the blind chief engineer Geordi LaForge. They are mainly on diplomatic missions, mediate in intercultural conflicts, research foreign cultures and help with technical problems. They only resort to military means in an emergency, for example against the invincible Borg, who want all to integrate into their collective. The series includes seven seasons and a total of 178 episodes.
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (TV series, 1993 – 1999)
The commercial success of the TNG series led Paramount pictures to a successor: Deep Space Nine – in fan circles DS9. This was the third Star Trek television series (or the fourth if you count the animated series. The plot covers the years 2369 to 2375 and plays mostly in the orbit of the planet Bajor. Officer Benjamin Sisko is in command. The research and trade base occupies an important position in an increasingly warlike universe. In DS9, religious and political conflicts are mostly fought out by force.
Star Trek Generations (Film, 1994)
As the title suggests, the legendary Captain James Kirk and Jean-Luc Picard meet in the seventh Star Trek movie. This gathering is made possible by the "Nexus", a paradise where time does not matter. Together, Kirk and Picard must stop the scientist Dr. Soran from destroying the solar system. Kirk is killed in the process. (Fun fact: angry fans wrapped up the house of screenwriter Brannon Braga with toilet paper.)
Star Trek: Voyager (TV series 1995-2001)
The fifth television series is set in the years 2371 to 2378. In seven television seasons, Captain Kathryn Janeway has to board the U.S.S. Voyager. The crew of the Voyager spaceship is concentrating on the discovery of foreign civilizations. At the beginning of the plot, the starship is captured by a gigantic wave of energy and thrown into the delta quadrant. 70.000 light-years from the "United Federation of Planets", the crew must join a group of rebels to find their way back home.
Star Trek feature films from 1996 and 1998
A minor intermission: based on the series "The Next Generation", the 1996 film "Star Trek: First Contact" and the 1998 film "Star Trek: Insurrection", which play in 2373 and 2375, describe the further adventures of Captain Picard and his crew.
Star Trek: Voyager (audiobook series, since 2017)
The audiobook story of the series Star Trek: Voyager from the author Kirsten Beyer, is set in 2378. This series appeared as an audiobook on Audible in 2018. In it, Admiral Kathryn Janeway and her crew finally land back home. But they can't put their feet up for a long time: the holograms rebel, a Borg disease erupts and someone wants to steal and sell the Voyager technology.
Star Trek: Nemesis (film, 2002)
The 10th film, Star Trek: Nemesis was first released in 2002 set in the year 2379. Vice Admiral Kathryn Janeway ordered Captain Picard to fly to the Romulus command. Here comes the final showdown between Picard and his genetic clone Shinzon. For the fans, this film was first intended to say goodbye to Jean-Luc Picard and his crew. You would think Patrick Stewart would be enjoying his well-earned retirement from the show now, but more… in a moment.
Star Trek: Audiobooks from 2009-2017
Since 2009, Trekkies who have not been able to deal with Jean-Luc Picard's retirement have found comfort in five series of audiobooks, which were released after Star Trek: Nemesis. In 2379, the story of "Death in Winter", the first novel in an eight-part series, began. Picard has to travel to Kevratas, on a desolate, ice-covered planet, on which an epidemic has broken out.
The popular audiobook Star Trek: Titan: Fortune of War is one of eight titles and the final piece of the Titan series based on the film Star Trek: Nemesis by eight different authors. Written by best-selling author David Mack and narrated by Robert Petkoff. After twenty years since the Husnock were exterminated a new discovery draws the attention of the federation.
The trilogy Star Trek: Prometheus, was written on the 50-year anniversary of the original series. The main character is Captain Richard Adam, commander of the most powerful ship in the Starfleet. He is to pacify the Lembatta Cluster, in which the fanatical people of the Renao live. The three parts Fire with Fire, The Root of All Rage, and In the Heart of Chaos are set in 2385.
The plot of the three audiobooks in the series Star Trek: Prey by author John Jackson Miller, are set in 2386, but records events up to one hundred years ago. Korgh, heir of the fight against James T. Kirk and the fallen Klingon commander Kruge, has waited a lifetime for his revenge. Now the time has finally come. The alliance between the Federation and Klingons falls into a deep crisis.
Star Trek: Picard (TV series)
Star Trek: Picard plays about twenty years after the events of Nemesis and of course has the legendary Jean-Luc as a hero – still embodied by now 78-year-old Patrick Stewart. The new Picard series follows on from the classic Prime timeline.
In January 2019, CBS also announced that another new series, "Star Trek," is planned, which focuses on the secret organisation Section 31. Here, Michelle Yeoh, already known from "Star Trek: Discovery", has the main role. Even though our Star Trek timeline ends here, the history of the United Federation is far from over…
Discover more: Popular Fantasy & Sci-Fi book series at Audible
