Alex Kurtzman Inks New Overall Deal with CBS Studios

CBS Studios has signed a new overall development and production deal with writer, producer and director Alex Kurtzman and his production banner, Secret Hideout, through 2026.

Under the new pact, Kurtzman will remain at the helm of the Star Trek franchise for the next six years. The Star Trek universe includes Star Trek: Discovery, Star Trek: Picard, Star Trek: Lower Decks, the upcoming animated Star Trek: Prodigy and, coming in 2022, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. Additionally, Secret Hideout is in development on a Star Trek project based on “Section 31,” with Michelle Yeoh attached to star.

Heather Kadin will continue to lead the Secret Hideout content team, along with Senior VP Aaron Baiers and Director of Development Robyn Johnson. Under this new deal, Secret Hideout will expand to include new executives for the growing slate of shows and development.

Per the deal, CBS will have exclusive rights to develop and produce Secret Hideout content on all platforms.

“Extending our valuable partnership with the brilliant Alex Kurtzman and Secret Hideout has been a top priority for CBS and Paramount+,” said George Cheeks, president and CEO of CBS. “Alex’s vision and leadership of the Star Trek franchise and his ability to create artistic and commercial series across all platforms put him in a special class of creative talent. His substantial accomplishments at CBS and the spirit of collaboration we enjoy with his team are greatly valued and we are excited to build on his already impressive slate far into the future.”

“Alex and Secret Hideout have been extraordinary partners who, through their prolific output of high-quality shows, have allowed our studio to grow exponentially,” said David Stapf, president of CBS Studios. “Alex’s vision and breadth of interest are unmatched as he and his team have reignited the Star Trek franchise with five (and counting) brilliantly unique series, while at the same time creating long-running hit series for both the network and premium spaces. As an artist, Alex does it all. Not only is he a visionary who creates worlds, he has that rare skill of being able to write, direct, produce and inspire those who work with him to be the best version of themselves. We are so grateful to be extending our relationship together.”

With respect to the agreement and relationship, Kurtzman said, “CBS Studios has been my home for over a decade because the incomparable David Stapf always finds a way to demonstrate his decency and creative passion, not just for the work we do, but for the many people who do it. In David Nevins, I’ve found a rare breed executive with auteur taste and the guts to take chances, who’s encouraged us to create premium streaming and cable that pushes boundaries. And over the last year, I’ve had the extraordinary privilege of being an eyewitness to the steady leadership George Cheeks has brought to CBS. He’s guided Secret Hideout, and me personally, with thoughtful care and strategic brilliance, as the rules of our business grow and change daily. As Secret Hideout expands its footprint across ViacomCBS, I can imagine no greater partners, and I’m so excited to tell more stories together for years to come.”