“Star Trek: Section 31”: Release Date, Cast, Plot, and All You Need to Know

If you’re a Star Trek fan, or even if you’re just someone who likes epic space quests, get ready for something totally new. Star Trek: Section 31 is on the way, and it’s breaking all sorts of boundaries for the iconic sci-fi franchise. This isn’t your usual Star Trek tale with flashy starships and nonstop space battles.

We’re stepping into the secretive world of Section 31—Starfleet’s mysterious, shadowy division. And leading the way? The incredible Malaysian actress Michelle Yeoh, who is back as the fan-favorite Emperor Philippa Georgiou.

Michelle Yeoh in Star Trek: Section 31 (Credits: Paramount+)

If you’ve watched Star Trek: Discovery, you know Georgiou is no ordinary Starfleet officer. She ruled the Mirror Universe’s Terran Empire with an iron fist before joining Section 31 in Season 2. Now, Star Trek: Section 31 dives into her story in the shadows. So, what’s this movie all about?

We’ve got time travel, black-ops missions, and some pretty enigmatic events that take place in a Star Trek era we’ve barely scratched the surface of. If you’ve been waiting for something fresh and spell-binding in the Star Trek world, this is it. Let’s break down everything we know about Section 31—the plot, the cast, and when it’s finally dropping!

Star Trek: Section 31 makes history as Paramount+’s first streaming-only film

A scene from Star Trek: Section 31 (Credits: Paramount+)

Star Trek: Section 31 will be the first-ever Star Trek movie made specifically for streaming. Yes—forget theaters for a second. This is an exclusive release on Paramount+, and it’s a momentous affair for the Star Trek franchise.

Now, this isn’t the first Star Trek movie ever. Of course, we’ve had plenty of films over the years, with Star Trek: The Motion Picture setting the stage in 1979. But Section 31 is turning the page in most unexpected way.

For one, it’s not following the accustomed pattern of Star Trek films that involve a big Starfleet ship or galaxy-threatening enemies. Instead, it’s taking us into the deep, secret world of Section 31, which operates behind the scenes in the Star Trek universe. And that’s a first.

Plus, we’re talking about a two-hour movie, which is a great format for Star Trek on a streaming service. This movie will set a precedent for future Star Trek content on Paramount+, showing that the franchise can deliver blockbuster-level stories without needing to hit the theaters.

If this movie does well, we could see more Star Trek movies following the same formula—maybe even some spin-offs or continuations of the shows we love. Who knows? A Star Trek: Picard continuation, anyone?

What is Star Trek: Section 31 really about?

Michelle Yeoh in Star Trek: Section 31 (Credits: Paramount+)

Star Trek: Section 31 is a story shrouded in mystery. And when you hear that, you know it’s going to be ravishing. If you’re familiar with Section 31, you know Starfleet’s secret division deals with the darker, more dangerous parts of protecting the United Federation of Planets.

Think of them as Starfleet’s undercover agents. They handle the dirty work that no one else wants to touch, and that’s where the intrigue begins. This movie will explore Emperor Philippa Georgiou’s journey as she joins Section 31 and faces the consequences of her past actions.

You might remember her as the former ruler of the Terran Empire in the Mirror Universe in Star Trek: Discovery. She’s tough, calculating, and not afraid to get her hands dirty. But now Georgiou’s dealing with a whole new set of problems as she steps into the world of Section 31, a division known for its morally gray actions.

What makes this movie even more interesting is the time travel aspect. Yeoh’s character isn’t just stuck in one place—she’s actually traveling 800 years back in time from the 32nd century to the early 24th century.

This opens up the possibility of exploring the ‘lost era’ of Star Trek, the period between the original series (TOS) and The Next Generation (TNG), which has been largely unexplored in the franchise. Here’s the official breakdown of Star Trek: Section 31 (per Deadline):

In Star Trek: Section 31, Emperor Philippa Georgiou, joins a secret division of Starfleet tasked with protecting the United Federation of Planets and faces the sins of her past.

This time period offers a lot of potential to fill in some gaps in the Star Trek timeline, and we might even get to see how Section 31 started operating during that era. The story is sure to keep us guessing. And fans can expect some startling shifts and turns along the way.

Who’s in the cast of Star Trek: Section 31?

Kacey Rohl, Michelle Yeoh, Rob Kazinsky, and Omari Hardwick in Star Trek: Section 31 (Credits: Paramount+)

As we already all know, Michelle Yeoh is the star of the show, reprising her role as Philippa Georgiou. If you haven’t seen Yeoh in action, you’re missing out. She’s an absolute powerhouse.

From her striking feats in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon to her Oscar-worthy triumph in Everything Everywhere All At Once, she’s a true marvel. Now, she graces the Star Trek realm anew, breathing life into her rich and many-layered role once more.

But Yeoh isn’t the only talented actor in this movie. Joining her are a bunch of exciting names. Sam Richardson plays Quasi, a Chameloid shapeshifter (the first since Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country).

Omari Hardwick and Kacey Rohl also join the cast, with Rohl portraying Rachel Garrett, the ill-fated captain of the USS Enterprise-C in The Next Generation’s classic episode Yesterday’s Enterprise. Hardwick plays Alok Sahar, a brilliant strategist and the leader of Section 31.

Rob Kazinsky is another notable addition to the cast, playing a character who’s not a Borg despite his cybernetic exo-suit. Then there’s Humberly Gonzalez as Melle, a Deltan, a species that was first introduced in Star Trek: The Motion Picture.

Miku Martineau is also featured in the movie, and she will be playing a younger version of Philippa Georgiou. This weaves an intriguing thread into the tale, showing Georgiou at various points in her life. With such a talented cast, these characters are bound to leap off the screen, making this an escapade to remember.

When can we watch Star Trek: Section 31?

Michelle Yeoh in Star Trek: Section 31 (Credits: Paramount+)

Star Trek: Section 31 has been in the works for a long time, but it’s finally set to premiere on January 24, 2025. It’s been a long wait, but we’re almost there. The movie was originally announced back in 2019, but a series of delays, including the COVID-19 pandemic, pushed things back.

Plus, Yeoh’s busy schedule also played a part in the wait. Now, the movie is officially set to drop on Paramount+, and it’s going to be worth the wait. This release comes at a time when Star Trek fans are hungry for new content, and we couldn’t have been more excited.