CBS All Access is officially moving forward on the development of a standalone “Star Trek” series starring Michelle Yeoh, Variety has learned.
The series would see Yeoh reprise the role of Philippa Georgiou, who is a member of Section 31, a shadowy intelligence agency operating within the Federation. Yeoh is also set to return for the second season of “Discovery,” which debuts on Thursday. The upcoming series will expand on Georgiou’s current role as a member of Section 31.
There have been rumors of a Yeoh-led Section 31 series since the conclusion of Season 1 of “Discovery,” after a deleted scene revealed Georgiou being approached by a member of the organization on the Klingon homeworld.
“I’m so excited to continue telling these rich ‘Star Trek’ stories,” Yeoh said in a statement. “Being a part of this universe and this character specifically has been such a joy for me to play. I can’t wait to see where it all goes – certainly I believe it will go ‘where no WOMAN has ever gone before!’”
During the first season of “Discovery,” Georgiou was the captain of the USS Shenzhou, before she was killed at the hands of the Klingons. The crew of the USS Discovery later encountered an alternate version of her when they traveled to the Mirror Universe (a parallel universe that is very famous in “Star Trek” lore), where she was the brutal Emperor of the Terran Empire. Georgiou would later return to the prime universe, where she joined with Section 31.
The new series will be written by Bo Yeon Kim and Erika Lippoldt and produced by CBS Television Studios, Alex Kurtzman’s Secret Hideout, and Roddenberry Entertainment. Kurtzman, Heather Kadin, Rod Roddenberry and Trevor Roth will serve as executive producers. Aaron Baiers will serve as co-executive producer along with Kim and Lippoldt.
“Michelle has shattered ceilings, broken boundaries, and astonished us with her grace and gravitas for decades. As a human, I adore her. As an actor, I revere her,” Kurtzman said in a statement. “Erika and Boey are remarkable, exciting writers who bring a fresh perspective to the world of ‘Star Trek,’ and we’re all thrilled to explore the next wild chapter in the life of Captain Philippa Georgiou.”
The potential Section 31 series is the latest “Star Trek” project to be put into development at All Access. Aside from “Discovery” and the shorts series “Star Trek: Short Treks,” the streamer has also ordered an untitled series in which Sir Patrick Stewart will reprise the role of Jean-Luc Picard and the animated comedy “Star Trek: Lower Decks” from “Rick & Morty” writer Mike McMahan.
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