Star Trek: Section 31 – All we know About Michelle Yeoh’s Return to the Star Trek Universe

The official trailer for Star Trek: Section 31 made waves at CCXP in São Paulo, Brazil, with Paramount+ unveiling an action-packed glimpse of this groundbreaking film. Michelle Yeoh, fresh off her Oscar win, returns to the Star Trek universe to lead this thrilling new chapter as Emperor Philippa Georgiou. 

Fans were treated to intense scenes showcasing Georgiou’s return to galactic missions, setting the stage for an exciting exploration of Starfleet’s most secretive division. Unlike anything we’ve seen in Star Trek before, this movie steps into the shadows with Section 31, the Federation’s covert ops unit, blending espionage with the franchise’s signature moral dilemmas. 

The film promises time-bending narratives and a dive into the “lost era” of Star Trek history. With Yeoh’s powerhouse performance at its core, Star Trek: Section 31 teases high-stakes drama, complex character arcs, and a darker, grittier side of Starfleet.

Want to know what makes this Star Trek movie truly unmissable? From casting surprises to its unique timeline and more, we’ve compiled everything fans need to know. Stay with us as we uncover every fascinating detail about this much-anticipated film—and don’t forget, we’ll keep updating with fresh insights as new revelations emerge!

Release date & Where to Watch

Star Trek: Section 31 debuts Friday, Jan. 24, 2025, exclusively on Paramount+ in the US and other regions where the platform is available. The film is rated PG-13 for violence, bloody images, suggestive content, and some language.

What is the plot of Star Trek: Section 31?

In Star Trek: Section 31, Emperor Philippa Georgiou embarks on a compelling journey as she joins a covert Starfleet division responsible for safeguarding the United Federation of Planets. 

This shadowy organization, introduced in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, operates outside the official Starfleet and Federation frameworks, often employing morally ambiguous methods. Georgiou’s mission isn’t just about protecting the galaxy; she must also confront the consequences of her actions as the former ruler of the Terran Empire in the Mirror Universe.

The film explores the mysterious "lost era" of the Star Trek timeline, set between The Original Series and The Next Generation. It follows Georgiou as she navigates the morally complex world of Section 31 and grapples with her personal redemption. With time travel playing a pivotal role, the movie delves into unexplored aspects of the franchise’s history, potentially filling gaps in the Federation’s narrative.

Key to the story is Georgiou’s temporal displacement. After being thrust into the far future at the end of Star Trek: Discovery season two, she was sent back to the 23rd century by the enigmatic Guardian of Forever. This setup provides a rich backdrop for exploring how Section 31 evolved from a visible part of Starfleet intelligence to a secretive organization shrouded in myth by the events of the Deep Space Nine.

Adding to the intrigue is the appearance of Rachel Garrett, portrayed by Kacey Rohl as a younger version of the fearless captain of the USS Enterprise-C, a character first introduced in The Next Generation. These elements promise a gripping tale of espionage, galactic stakes, and personal redemption, all while expanding the Star Trek universe.

The movie marks the first television film in the Star Trek franchise and the fourteenth film overall. It is a spin-off of Star Trek: Discovery and forms part of Alex Kurtzman's expanded Star Trek Universe.

Who’s Starring in Star Trek: Section 31?

• Michelle Yeoh as Philippa Georgiou
• Sam Richardson as Quasi
• Kacey Rohl as Rachel Garrett
• Humberly González as Melle
• Omari Hardwick as Alok Sahar
• Lusi Zhao as Wulan
• Robert Kazinsky as Zeph
• Avaah Blackwell as Vaadwaur
• Miku Martineau as Young Philippa Georgiou
• Nicole Dickinson as Xindi
• Joe Pingue as Dada Noe
• Sven Ruygrok as Fuzz
• Robert Perry Bierman as Barram security
• Cindy Goh as Georgious' Mom
• Jimmy Chimarios as Baraam Security
• James Huang
• Augusto Bitter
• James Hiroyuki Liao

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Is There a Trailer for Star Trek: Section 31?

Paramount+ unveiled the trailer for Star Trek: Section 31 at CCXP, offering a glimpse of Michelle Yeoh's return as Emperor Philippa Georgiou. 

The preview begins with Georgiou confronting a surprise visitor at her space station. “What are you doing in my space station?” she demands, only to be met with an intriguing proposition: “I’m giving you a chance to get back in on the action on a galactic scale.” Georgiou's sharp response, “What a cute idea,” confirms her readiness to rejoin the Federation’s missions, setting the stage for her pivotal comeback.

When & Where did Star Trek: Section 31 film?

Filming for Star Trek: Section 31 began on Jan. 29, 2024, at Pinewood Toronto Studios in Toronto, Canada, under the working title Dovercourt. The studio, previously used for the production of Star Trek: Discovery, saw several sets from that series repurposed for the film.

Director Olatunde Osunsanmi noted that he pushed the crew harder than usual during production. Filming was scheduled to last six weeks, concluding on March 13, 2024, though actor Robert Kazinsky announced its completion on March 21, 2024.

Behind the Scenes

The film Star Trek: Section 31 is written by Craig Sweeny and directed by Olatunde Osunsanmi, with Alex Kurtzman, Michelle Yeoh, and others serving as producers. Produced by CBS Studios in collaboration with Secret Hideout and Roddenberry Entertainment, the film is distributed by Paramount Global Content Distribution. Executive producers include Kurtzman, Sweeny, Aaron Baiers, Olatunde Osunsanmi, Frank Siracusa, John Weber, and others.