There is no confirmation of the show being a prequel, but this is, we believe, the first official confirmation of the names "Enterprise" and Jonathan (not Jackson) Archer. Here's the release:
SOURCE: Paramount Network Television
Scott Bakula to Star as Captain Archer in Paramount Network Television's ENTERPRISE, the Newest 'Star Trek' Series
Bakula Also Extends Development Deal With the Studio
HOLLYWOOD, May 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Golden Globe Award-winning actor Scott Bakula has signed on to star as Captain Jonathan Archer in the new Paramount Network Television drama series ENTERPRISE. Further, Bakula has extended his first-look development deal with the studio, it was announced today by Garry Hart, president of the Network Television Division of the Paramount Television Group.
In the fifth installment of the landmark ``Star Trek'' franchise, Bakula will portray Captain Jonathan Archer, a physical and intensely curious captain with a bold personality. Although he has a strong sense of duty, he is a bit of a renegade and is not afraid to question orders or even disobey them if he feels in his gut that he is right.
Bakula comments, ``Obviously, I love the genre and am a long-time fan of Star Trek. I am also thrilled to be working on a TV series again with Kerry McCluggage and Garry Hart, a relationship that dates back to 1988 with 'Quantum Leap.'''
Under his newly extended deal with Paramount Network Television, Bakula, along with partner Tom Spiroff, will continue to develop projects that will encompass series, telefilms, features and specials.
``We couldn't be happier,'' says co-creator and executive producer Rick Berman, ``Scott personifies the charm and intelligence that the role calls for.''
The accomplished actor, who appeared in the 1999 Oscar-winning Best Picture ``American Beauty,'' recently concluded filming the New Line Cinema feature film ``Life As A House,'' directed and co-produced by Academy Award-winner Irwin Winkler.
Bakula is best known for his five-year stint on the innovative drama series ``Quantum Leap'' for which he earned a Golden Globe Award in addition to four consecutive Emmy Award nominations and three more Golden Globe Award nominations.
The Paramount Television Group is a part of the entertainment operations of Viacom Inc.
Horsies!!!
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P.S.: ROBOGEEK here. I spotted a couple interesting things in Michael Schneider's story for Variety this morning on the Bakula ENTERPRISE casting announcement, and thought I ought to share them...
First off, Variety refers to the series as "Star Trek: Enterprise" - even though the press release calls it simply "Enterprise". Is this just an honest mistake on Variety's part, or has this issue not yet been completely resolved - perhaps even contributing to the delay of the UPN deal for the series? (Personally, if I were buying a "Star Trek" show, I'd certainly want to be able to leverage the brand in the title - even considering how tarnished said brand currently is.)
Even more interesting, however, is the final sentence of the Variety article: "Other 'Star Trek: Enterprise' cast members include Jolene Blalock, John Billingsley, Linda Park, Anthony Montgomery, Dominic Keating and Connor Trinneer." Given that the names aren't listed in alphabetical order - and that we now have seven cast members - can we assume Ms. Blalock is T'Pau? (Knowing this is the token "Seven of Nine" sex appeal role, Blalock's current Maxim pictorial backs up this theory in spades.)
Herc here again. More photos of more cast members can be found at the TrekToday site. Click here to see what the new crew looks like.
