X

50 years of 'Star Trek' (pictures)

"Star Trek" began filming in November 1964 and changed television history -- set course for our gallery to boldly go through 50 years of "Trek."

Richard Trenholm
Richard Trenholm was CNET's film and TV editor, covering the big screen, small screen and streaming. A member of the Film Critic's Circle, he's covered technology and culture from London's tech scene to Europe's refugee camps to the Sundance film festival.
Richard Trenholm
shootingthecage.jpg
1 of 38 CBS/Paramount

Filming begins on the first "Star Trek" pilot episode, "The Cage," on 27 November 1964. It was rejected by NBC and would not be seen for another 20 years -- luckily a second pilot led to a full series.

mccoy-kirk-spock-smile.jpg
2 of 38 CBS/Paramount

Mr. Spock smiles in this behind-the-scenes photo from the original series of "Star Trek," which began in 1966.

animatedcrew.jpg
3 of 38 CBS/Paramount

Capt. Kirk and crew took to the stars in animated form in 1973.

thenextgenerationmaincastseason1.jpg
4 of 38 CBS/Paramount

In 1987, a new crew and a new Enterprise set out on a new mission. "Star Trek: The Next Generation" ran until 1994.

ds9crewseason1.jpg
5 of 38 CBS/Paramount

In 1993, the "Star Trek" universe expanded to space station "Deep Space Nine."

voyagercastwithkes.jpg
6 of 38 CBS/Paramount

Between 1995 and 2001 the crew of "Star Trek: Voyager" were lost in the Delta Quadrant.

enterprisecrewseason1.jpg
7 of 38 CBS/Paramount

In 2001 "Star Trek: Enterprise" took us back to the earliest days of Starfleet.

chekovkirkscottbonessuluuhura.jpg
8 of 38 CBS/Paramount

In 2009, a new generation of actors took on the familiar roles of the original series' crew for a big-screen reboot.

ussenterprisethreefootdeliveredtogeneroddenberrybyrichardc-datinjr.jpg
9 of 38 CBS/Paramount

A model of the iconic USS Enterprise is shown to series creator Gene Roddenberry.

christopher-pike-the-cage.jpg
10 of 38 CBS/Paramount

The captain of the Enterprise in the first -- rejected -- pilot episode was Christopher Pike, played by Jeffrey Hunter. Sadly, Hunter died in 1969.

james-kirk-2266.jpg
11 of 38 CBS/Paramount

A second pilot saw William Shatner take the conn as Capt. James T. Kirk -- and the rest is history.

therewillbenotribbleatall.jpg
12 of 38 CBS/Paramount

Kirk was joined on the bridge by his trusty crew, including Spock, McCoy, Uhura and Scotty.

kirksurroundedbytribbles.jpg
13 of 38 CBS/Paramount

Kirk contemplates a Tribble in the famous episode "The Trouble With Tribbles," from the original series' second season.

sulu-chekov.jpg
14 of 38 CBS/Paramount

In those racially charged days of the Cold War, "Star Trek" made a bold statement with its diverse crew, including Chekhov and Sulu.

kirkandshahna.jpg
15 of 38 CBS/Paramount

Capt. Kirk had a distinctive approach to furthering intergalactic relations.

edithkeelerandjimkirk.jpg
16 of 38 CBS/Paramount

Here Shatner is seen with guest star Joan Collins in the classic episode "The City on the Edge of Forever."

uhuradistractshikarusulumirror.jpg
17 of 38 CBS/Paramount

In the classic episode "Mirror, Mirror" the crew met their evil counterparts.

siskotapsbadge.jpg
18 of 38 CBS/Paramount

On the show's 30th anniversary, the next generation of "Trek" paid homage to its roots with this time-traveling "DS9" episode.

tribblecolonyinkirkschair.jpg
19 of 38 CBS/Paramount

The original series was followed by a colourful animated series. The abundance of pink is due to a colour-blind director.

kirkmccoychapelandspock2270s.jpg
20 of 38 CBS/Paramount

Following the success of "Star Wars," "Star Trek" was revived in 1979 on the big screen with a new look.

khan-scream.jpg
21 of 38 CBS/Paramount

Classic sequel "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan" saw the movies hit their stride. Khaaaannn!

spocksdeath1.jpg
22 of 38 CBS/Paramount

"The Wrath of Khan" saw one of the crew sacrifice himself to save the ship.

enterprisecrewstartrekiii.jpg
23 of 38 CBS/Paramount

Until "Star Trek III: The Search for Spock", anyway.

kirkdoubledumbassonyou.jpg
24 of 38 CBS/Paramount

The hilarious "Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home" saw the Enterprise crew journey to the present day.

captainscookingbreakfast.jpg
25 of 38 CBS/Paramount

"Star Trek: Generations" saw the mantle officially passed from Kirk to Picard.

riker-shades.jpg
26 of 38 CBS/Paramount

"The Next Generation" ran for seven seasons and four big-screen adventures.

picardasborg.jpg
27 of 38 CBS/Paramount

In one of the best TV cliff-hangers ever, "The Best of Both Worlds" saw beloved Capt. Picard transformed into an evil Borg.

discussingasceneallgoodthings.jpg
28 of 38 CBS/Paramount

"The Next Generation" crew film their final episode.

shinzon.jpg
29 of 38 CBS/Paramount

Before he was Bane, Tom Hardy played a clone of Captain Picard in "Star Trek: Nemesis."

jamest-kirkduringthekobayashimaruscenario.jpg
30 of 38 CBS/Paramount

A new Kirk for a new generation: in JJ Abrams reboot of the series, Chris Pine takes the captain's chair.

spockatkirkshearing.jpg
31 of 38 CBS/Paramount

And Zachary Quinto steps into Mr. Spock's eyebrows.

ussenterprisencc-1701ent.jpg
32 of 38 CBS/Paramount

The original USS Enterprise, designated NCC-1701.

ussenterprise-ainspacedock.jpg
33 of 38 CBS/Paramount

The Enterprise was souped up for the big screen.

ussenterpriseselfdestruct.jpg
34 of 38 CBS/Paramount

That'll mess up the no-claims bonus.

ussenterprise-dthesearethevoyages.jpg
35 of 38 CBS/Paramount

"The Next Generation" saw the launch of a new Galaxy class Enterprise, NCC-1701-D.

ussenterprise-eatwarp.jpg
36 of 38 CBS/Paramount

Later movies saw a sleeker NCC-1701-E.

sulufencing.jpg
37 of 38 CBS/Paramount

In recent years, Mr. Sulu actor George Takei has enjoyed a new resurgence of popularity as an online hero...

wesleylaforgeandtractorbeam.jpg
38 of 38 CBS/Paramount

...as has Wil Wheaton, pictured left, who played teenage genius Wesley Crusher.

More Galleries

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera
A houseplant

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera

20 Photos
Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra
magic-v2-2024-foldable-1383

Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra

10 Photos
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum
Samsung Galaxy S24

The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum

23 Photos
Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design
The Galaxy S24 Ultra in multiple colors

Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design

23 Photos
I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites
img-0368.jpg

I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites

34 Photos
17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About
Invitation for the Apple September iPhone 15 event

17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About

18 Photos
AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?
img-1599-2.jpg

AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?

17 Photos