Star Trek: Section 31: Release date, where to watch, and more details

The Star Trek universe is about to expand once again, this time with a standalone film, Star Trek: Section 31. Scheduled to premiere on January 24, 2025, this highly anticipated feature will focus on covert missions, moral dilemmas, and the complexities of loyalty.

Michelle Yeoh will reprise her role as Emperor Philippa Georgiou. The film offers a rare glimpse into Starfleet's secretive organization, Section 31, a shadowy division responsible for safeguarding the United Federation of Planets through unconventional means.

It occupies a space in the Star Trek timeline, bridging the gap between The Original Series films and The Next Generation.

What is the release date and where to watch Star Trek: Section 31? Details explored

Star Trek: Section 31 is all set to arrive exclusively on Paramount+ on January 24, 2025. Unlike many Star Trek series with staggered episode releases, this is a one-time event, offering fans the opportunity to enjoy the story in one sitting.

Paramount+ has become the central hub for Star Trek content, hosting everything from The Original Series to contemporary entries like Discovery and Strange New Worlds.

For fans outside the United States, especially in regions like the UK, Paramount+ subscriptions are available via platforms like Sky or Amazon Prime Video for approximately £4.99 per month. Indian fans may face restrictions as Paramount+ is not directly accessible in the region.

What is Star Trek: Section 31 about?

Star Trek: Section 31 dives deep into the realm of Starfleet’s covert operations. The narrative follows Emperor Philippa Georgiou, a former leader of the Terran Empire from the Mirror Universe, as she transitions to the Prime Universe and joins Section 31.

Tasked with protecting the United Federation of Planets from existential threats, Georgiou is also confronted by the haunting sins of her past. Her journey promises to be an exploration of redemption, duty, and the challenges of espionage.

Unlike the bridge crews of traditional Star Trek stories, Section 31 shifts the focus to a grittier, darker side of the universe. Georgiou's character, renowned for her ruthlessness and sharp intellect, embarks on a mission with a team of operatives, each bringing their unique skills to the table.

Cast details Star Trek: Section 31 explored

The film's cast is led by Academy Award-winning actress Michelle Yeoh. Her portrayal of Philippa Georgiou in Star Trek: Discovery was met with acclaim, and fans have long awaited her return.

Joining Yeoh are Omari Hardwick as Alok, a Section 31 agent, and Kacey Rohl as Rachel Garrett, the future captain of the USS Enterprise-C, who represents Starfleet in the mission.

The ensemble cast also includes Sam Richardson as Quasi, a Chameloid shapeshifter skeptical of Starfleet’s ideals, Sven Ruygrok as Fuzz, a loyal operative, Robert Kazinsky as Zeph, a mechanical exoskeleton-wielding agent, and Humberly Gonzalez as Melle, a Deltan.

Set in the lost era between The Original Series and The Next Generation, Section 31 promises a mix of nostalgia and innovation. The movie is directed by Olatunde Osunsanmi and written by Craig Sweeny.

Filming for the movie took place in Toronto from January to March 2024. According to Variety, sets from Star Trek: Discovery were repurposed, providing continuity while adapting to the film’s narrative demands.

How did Star Trek: Section 31 come to life?

The journey of Star Trek: Section 31 began in 2019 when Michelle Yeoh reportedly suggested a spin-off centered on her character to Alex Kurtzman. Initially envisioned as a series, the project faced delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic and scheduling conflicts.

With Yeoh’s star power on the rise after her Oscar-winning performance in Everything Everywhere All at Once, the team reimagined the project as a standalone film to accommodate her busy schedule. During an interview with Comic Book in April 2022, Michelle described the film as a fusion of Mission: Impossible and Guardians of the Galaxy.

In an conversation with TrekMovie.com in January 2019, producer Alex Kurtzman spoke about the project:

"And really, I think that we’ve all loved about Michelle Yeoh in this role, is, it’s not dark at all, and there’s something so delicious about it, and delicious about her relishing being in that part. So, our plan, it shouldn’t be dark at all, I think that we’re going to have a lot of fun with it."

Star Trek: Section 31 will be released on January 24, 2025, on Paramount+.

​