Curious to know how and where to watch the animated series Star Trek: Lower Decks? If so, you’re not alone. The animated series is available for streaming, so it’s easy to watch it wherever and whenever you are in the universe.
Set in the 24th century, the half-hour comedy series follows the crew of the USS Cerritos. As the name implies, it follows the “lower deckers,” Starfleet’s minor officers, voiced by Tawny Newsome (Beckett Mariner), Jack Quaid (Brad Boimler), Noel Wells (D’Vana Tendi), and Eugene Cordero (Sam Rutherford). Of course, being a Star Trek show, you can expect plenty of cameos and references to other characters in the franchise. James Cromwell has already reprised his role from Star Trek: First Contact. Actor JG Hertzler, who was a regular on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine also makes a cameo as the voice of General Martok. These are just a few examples though — the series makes plenty of references to events and characters from the franchise’s long history.
Star Trek: Lower Decks is currently streaming on Paramount+. It’s exclusive to the platform. Given that Paramount owns CBS Studios, which in turn owns Star Trek: Lower Decks animation studio CBS Eye Animation Productions, it’s unlikely to come to other streaming platforms anytime soon.
Watch Star Trek: Lower Decks on Paramount+
Critical Acclaim for Star Trek: Lower Decks
Although the show’s emphasis is on the ship’s ensigns instead of its senior officers, there are plenty of references to notable officers and events in the greater Star Trek universe. The more familiar you are with Star Trek, the more you will get out of every episode. Plus, senior crew members aren’t ignored entirely. Instead, their own stories often intersect with the lower-deckers.
It’s this love for the Star Trek franchise that has led to Star Trek: Lower Decks receiving critical acclaim. Since its debut in 2020, the series has received numerous accolades, including nominations for Hugo, Saturn, Annie, and NAACP Image Awards. Recently, the show also received a Critics Choice nomination for Best Animated Series. Overall, it’s an impressive showing for the franchise’s first animated series since Star Trek: The Animated Series in the 1970s.
The show’s positive reception makes sense given the pedigree of the series creator, Mike McMahan. His previous experience includes work on Drawn Together and South Park, as well as a producing and writing stint for Rick and Morty and co-creating another animated series, Solar Opposites. Clearly, science fiction in general is one of McMahan’s interests. More importantly for Trekkies, Star Trek is something he has always loved, even to this day, which he mentioned when we interviewed him about Star Trek: Lower Decks season 3.
Where to Watch Star Trek: Lower Decks
Across the series’ (so far) 3 seasons, there’s a total of 30 episodes available. However, a fourth season of Star Trek: Lower Decks is on the way in 2023, so now’s the perfect time to catch up.
Currently, the entirety of the Star Trek: Lower Decks series is only available to stream on Paramount+. It’s available along with other Star Trek series, including The Ready Room, a Star Trek aftershow that frequently features the cast and creators of Star Trek: Lower Decks.
Watch Star Trek: Lower Decks on Paramount+.
