Rick Berman, Executive Producer of Star Trek: Voyager, confirmed that a new Star Trek series is in the works, and will premiere after Voyager concludes its seven-year run, as reported last night on UPN affiliate KCOP in Los Angeles.

"I think we've come up with a concept that's dramatically different from Voyager or Deep Space Nine, but at the same time it's going to definitely be Star Trek at its core," Berman said. The new series will likely debut in September 2001, according to the news segment.

Berman also spoke about the final season of Voyager, saying that the series will conclude either with the U.S.S. Voyager returning home, or remaining lost in the Delta Quadrant. "There are a great number of repercussions in either scenario," he said, pointing out that the fates of certain characters come into question if they reach Earth. For example, what will happen to the Maquis crew members who are outlaws to the Federation, the Doctor whose holographic program has far exceeded its original design, and Seven of Nine, whose Borg heritage will be of great interest to Starfleet?

If the crew remains stuck on the other side of the galaxy, Berman said, "there are numerous interrelationships between our characters that might be dealt with in very unique ways."

Berman promised that fans can expect some major surprises from Star Trek: Voyager in the next year. "I would always like to believe that, with one season left, the best episodes are yet to come," he said.

Please note: All production information is subject to change.