A Paramount Streaming official says that the Section 31 Star Trek series starring Michelle Yeoh is still in the development phase. Yeoh, the star of Everything Everywhere All At Once, entered the Star Trek world in Season 1 of Star Trek: Discovery as Captain Philippa Georgiou, but tragically, she perished very early on. Yeoh returned in season 2 as mirror-universe tyrant Emperor Georgiou, who subsequently got involved with Starfleet’s enigmatic clandestine wing Section 31, despite this early character death. Yeoh, therefore, continued to be a part of the Star Trek family.
It is true that the idea behind Section 31 is compelling enough to warrant the production of a spinoff series with Yeoh playing Georgiou. Section 31 has failed to see the big screen, despite several assurances throughout the years, including a statement from Paramount during the TCA event in 2022 that the show was still on. Fans shouldn’t lose faith, though, since Paramount has once more provided a positive update on the progress of Section 31. Tanya Giles, the chief programming officer for Paramount Streaming, confirmed to TVLine during this year’s TCA that the spinoff starring Michelle Yeoh is indeed still in the works.
Overview of Star Trek: Section 31
In a plot line in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, the covert Section 31 of Starfleet was first revealed. They were trying to recruit Dr. Bashir, who originally rejected them but subsequently joined in order to assist Sisko and Odo in uncovering their murky actions. Later on, Star Trek: Enterprise would make a passing reference to Section 31. It would reappear in J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek: Into Darkness as the group in charge of waking up Khan, played by Benedict Cumberbatch, from cryo-sleep.
Given Section 31’s secrecy, it’s understandable why Paramount+ execs see potential in a drama that centers on it. Unfortunately, not much information has been provided on the actual content of the resulting program. The program is “weirder” than Discovery, according to Yeoh, who also described it as “Mission: Impossible meets Guardians of the Galaxy in space” back in 2022. Of course, Yeoh’s involvement in the program would be a major selling point if it ever made it to the screens. However, Yeoh’s fame is growing as a result of an awards season run for her performance in Everything Everywhere All At Once, so it’s reasonable to ask how long she’ll remain committed to the protracted project.
There is cause for optimism that Section 31 will soon start moving forward, despite the fact that it currently appears to be in a condition of suspended animation. Progress on Section 31 depends on another Trek program ending, freeing up a spot on the Paramount+ list, as Alex Kurtzman informed fans back in 2021. And with Star Trek: Picard’s upcoming release of its last season, such a spot is going to become available. There is hence cause to believe that Section 31 may find fresh life after the demise of Picard. But it’s still unclear if the Star Trek/Yeoh spinoff will be chosen to replace Picard or whether another project will be prioritized ahead of it.