Star Trek: Discovery expands with the announcement of a spinoff series starring Michelle Yeoh! Will the series’ second season set her up for departure?

As Star Trek: Discovery season 2 prepares to welcome members of the Enterprise, one of their own will make the move to star in her own spinoff series. Michelle Yeoh, who originated the role of Captain Philippa Georgiou, is officially confirmed to lead the latest addition to the ever-expanding Star Trek universe at CBS. Like its predecessor, the series will be exclusive to CBS All Access in the States.

“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,” said Alex Kurtzman in a statement. The untitled series is set to be penned by Bo Yeon Kim and Erika Lippoldt, both of whom write for Discovery. The pair will also executive produce.

“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,” Kurtzman added.

Kurtzman is responsible for steering the Star Trek ship to CBS All Access (and beyond) following the departure of Bryan Fuller ahead of the series’ first season debut. Since then, Kurtzman has written, directed, and been handed an overall deal with the network to develop many, many Trek-centric projects, including animation and the launch of the new Picard series.

The Yeoh-centered spinoff was first announced to be in development back in November 2018.

“I’m so excited to continue telling these rich Star Trek stories,” Yeoh said in a statement about the series. “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!’”

What does the future hold for Georgiou now that she has a series? It appears Star Trek: Discovery‘s second season will serve as a backdoor pilot for the spinoff which will focus on her time in Section 31. The mysterious division of Starfleet recruited mirror-verse Empress Georgiou, whose ruthless tactics set her up as a formidable opponent to anyone who dares cross her path. Sounds like Section 31 is the perfect fit for her.

Discovery has already slightly expanded with the addition of Short Treks, four short single stories focused on characters (or, in one case, a ship) linked to Discovery. A young Georgiou appeared at the tail end of the Saru-focused story, “The Brightest Star.”

Star Trek: Discovery season 2 premieres Thursday, January 17 on CBS All Access.