Convention - SDCC 2025 : Star Trek Khan – The Long-Awaited Return of the Galaxy’s Most Infamous Villain in a Bold New Audio Drama

By Mulder, San Diego, Convention Center, Hall H, 26 july 2025

On July 26, 2025, Hall H at the San Diego Convention Center once again became the epicenter of Star Trek news as Alex Kurtzman took the stage during the Star Trek Universe presentation to finally unveil full details about the long-anticipated Star Trek: Khan. This scripted audio drama, premiering September 8, 2025—fittingly on Star Trek Day—will span nine weekly episodes through November 3 and promises to chronicle the harrowing twenty years Khan Noonien Singh spent on Ceti Alpha V, bridging the gap between the events of Star Trek: The Original Series episode “Space Seed” and Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. Based on a story by Nicholas Meyer, the writer-director of The Wrath of Khan, and written by Kirsten Beyer and David Mack, the series will offer an in-depth look at how a “beneficent tyrant” became one of Starfleet’s most dangerous adversaries.

In Hall H, Alex Kurtzman confirmed that Naveen Andrews will take on the role of Khan, bringing new layers to the iconic character first portrayed by Ricardo Montalbán. Wrenn Schmidt will voice Lieutenant Marla McGivers, reprising the role originally played by Madlyn Rhue, while Sonya Cassidy will portray Dr. Rosalind Lear, a character who discovers the “lost logs” decades later, providing the narrative’s framing device. Star Trek legends George Takei and Tim Russ will return as Captain Hikaru Sulu and Ensign Tuvok respectively, anchoring the story within the USS Excelsior era first referenced in the Star Trek: Voyager episode “Flashback.” The supporting cast includes Olli Haaskivi as Delmonda, Maury Sterling as Ivan, Mercy Malick as Ursula, and Zuri Washington as Madot.

The project’s journey to reality has been a long one. Originally envisioned in 2017 by Nicholas Meyer as a three-episode television miniseries titled Ceti Alpha V, it was shelved due to high production costs and corporate restrictions between CBS and Paramount Pictures. The 2019 merger of CBS and Viacom paved the way for unified Star Trek storytelling, and by 2022 Alex Kurtzman had announced plans to expand the franchise into scripted podcasts. Star Trek: Khan evolved from Meyer’s initial concept into a nine-episode audio drama, allowing for a richer exploration of Khan’s exile. Recording was completed by February 2025, with the final cast announced in July.

Produced by CBS’s Eye Podcast Productions Inc., Secret Hideout, and Roddenberry Entertainment, the series is directed by Fred Greenhalgh with Robyn Johnson as co-executive producer. Executive producers include Alex Kurtzman, Aaron Baiers, Kirsten Beyer, Molly Barton, Fred Greenhalgh, Trevor Roth, and Rod Roddenberry, with Realm serving as the production studio. For long-time fans, the inclusion of Star Trek veterans alongside new voices signals both a respect for the franchise’s legacy and a willingness to explore bold, untold territory.

When Alex Kurtzman unveiled the trailer and key art in Hall H, it was clear this wasn’t simply a nostalgia exercise. The glimpses of life on Ceti Alpha V—harsh landscapes, political power struggles, and the slow unraveling of utopian ambitions—hinted at a story that will challenge perceptions of Khan. Rather than a one-dimensional villain, listeners may find themselves confronting the tragic arc of a man who once dreamed of building a paradise. By the time the final episode drops on November 3, Star Trek: Khan may not only deepen our understanding of one of the franchise’s most enduring antagonists but also stand as a landmark in Trek’s expansion into the audio drama medium.

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Star Trek: Khan
Starring  Naveen Andrews, Wrenn Schmidt, Sonya Cassidy, George Takei, Tim Russ
Written by Kirsten Beyer, David Mack
Directed by Fred Greenhalgh
Produced by Robyn Johnson
Executive producers : Alex Kurtzman, Aaron Baiers, Kirsten Beyer, Molly Barton, Fred Greenhalgh, Trevor Roth, Rod Roddenberry

Photos and video : Boris Colletier / Mulderville