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Kacey Rohl as Rachel Garrett on `Star Trek: Section 31,` streaming on Paramount+ starting Jan. 24. (Photo credit: Michael Gibson/Paramount+)
Kacey Rohl as Rachel Garrett on "Star Trek: Section 31," streaming on Paramount+ starting Jan. 24. (Photo credit: Michael Gibson/Paramount+)

Q&A: Kacey Rohl on entertaining, action-packed 'Star Trek: Section 31'

by jmaloni
Thu, Jan 23rd 2025 06:55 pm

Michelle Yeoh returns for Paramount+ feature film

Behind the Screens with Joshua Maloni

@joshuamaloni

Having already released three exceptional live-action “Star Trek” series, Paramount+ has set a high bar for future Roddenberry-inspired projects. Of course, when we’re talking about one of the world’s biggest, most-beloved franchises – not to mention its storied “Trekkies” fanbase – expectations are already off the chart.

It wouldn’t be out of order, then, to question the streamer’s logic in building a new story centered on a rogue special unit with a checkered past.

Though designed to protect Starfleet interests, Section 31 often bends rules – and, at worst, sought to end humanity in one memorable season of “Star Trek: Discovery.”

If fans are to be enticed to embark upon a journey with such a rag-tag group – and to *gasp* cheer on these morally ambiguous space crusaders – they'll need a good reason.

A dynamic force.

Something like, say, Philippa Georgiou – and a world-ender she had created when emperor of the Terran Empire.

WATCH:

 

For those don’t know, Academy Award-winning actress Michelle Yeoh forged two characters on “Star Trek: Discovery”: textbook Starfleet captain Georgiou in this universe, and a delightfully unhinged, destroyer-of-all-challengers Georgiou in the “mirror universe.”

It was the high-kicking, fist-punching, sword-slinging latter – who stole scenes (and anything else she wanted) while capturing fans over the course of three seasons – that became the lynchpin for “Star Trek: Section 31.”

In the stand-alone feature, Georgiou is offered one last mission. She is presented with a chance to get in on the action, to “be who you are,” and to use both her good and bad angels to recover the bioengineered super weapon.

“Star Trek” fans will be pleased with the way in which Georgiou’s story continues – and those who’ve never seen “Discovery” will have no problem figuring out what’s what thanks to a short explanation at the beginning of the movie.

But for both “Trekkies” and newbies alike, the takeaway in watching “Section 31” will be how much fun the story is – and that is due, in large part, to the cast.

Leading the team is humanoid Alok (Omari Hardwick), a hard-charging “strategic mastermind”; Quasi, a shapeshifting Chameloid with many of the charming quirks actor Sam Richardson used in his role on the comedic “The Afterparty”; Zeph (Robert Kazinsky), a weaponized agent in a mechanical exoskeleton; Fuzz (Sven Ruygrok), a bite-size creature who can get inside and take control of other entities – in this case, a Vulcan; and Melle (Humberly González), a Deltan whose vibes unarm and enchant others.

“Star Trek” fans can meet Rachel Garrett (Kacey Rohl), before she becomes captain, in “Star Trek: Section 31” on Paramount+. (Photo credit: Jan Thijs/Paramount+)

••••••••

Tasked with keeping this group on the rails is Rachel Garrett (Kacey Rohl), whom “Trekkies” might recall is the future captain of the USS Enterprise-C (as seen on “Star Trek: The Next Generation” and “Star Trek: Picard”). Here, Rachel is a top-tier science officer with a strong desire to find order amidst vast chaos.

This character presents a few twists to the tale, and is often a foil to Georgiou’s plan of attack. Rachel’s quick thinking also provides a humorous solution to a key fight scene.

“When we find her in this film, she is so staunchly Starfleet. She is so by the book; she finds deep, deep comfort in order and control and rules. If there was a book that they get at the Academy where it's like, ‘In the event of this, do this,’ she's loves that. She's all about it. She loves the system,” Rohl said. “Then she's thrust into Section 31, which is kind of the polar opposite of that. It's just rolling with it, and throwing stuff at the walls and seeing what sticks, and coloring outside the lines – and really operating in a gray area, which is a challenge for her.

“I think the cool thing that Rachel gets to experience is to impart some of the ways in which order can help us reach our goals. But then also, that she is affected by the chaos of Section 31 and begins to see sort of the merits of that.”

Rohl has had memorable roles in M. Night Shyamalan’s monster mash “Wayward Pines,” and in Greg Berlanti’s “Arrow,” but said fans most often recall her work as Abigail Hobbs on “Hannibal,” and as the “bitchy” Marina on “The Magicians.”

She said the enjoyment that comes from watching her new film “mirrors” the joy she found on set.

“I really lucked out with the cast we have here and all of the people on board,” Rohl said. “The amazing thing about ‘Trek’ is they hire really kind people (laughs), which is pretty cool!

“The knowledge that I had about who was on board, when I signed on, was basically just Michelle, and everybody else was a wonderful surprise when I got there.

“I'm happy that the joy we felt with each other in making it comes through, because we really did bond as a cast. We have an extremely active group chat that's still going over a year later! We're celebrating each other's birthdays and accomplishments. It's a really special group of people.

“And so, to be able to come into this world, into this franchise, and then also do it with a bunch of people who are my buds now, is really, really cool.”

The actor shared more about her career, and “Star Trek: Section 31,” in this edited Q&A.

Rachel Garrett (Kacey Rohl) in “Star Trek: Section 31.” Find the actor on Instagram. (Photo credit: Sophy Holland/Paramount+)

••••••••

BTS: What attracted you to this role?

Kacey Rohl: Well, first of all, it's “Trek,” which is incredibly cool. Second of all, Michelle Yeoh was involved when I signed on, which is mind-blowing and very cool. And then, I think, just being able to join the legacy of “Star Trek,” and particularly in Rachel Garrett, knowing who she is to the fandom and also who she is – she's a really powerful woman; a very strong woman. And that's super attractive to me. So, being able to step into that kind of character and feel that power in myself – I carry that into my life, and it's a fun thing to chase for me.

BTS: When I've spoken with actors who were on “Discovery” or “Picard,” they would tell me they had moments where they would just sort of be like, “Oh my gosh, I'm on ‘Star Trek’!” They'd have to pull it together and focus on the role. Did you find yourself having moments where you were like, “This is surreal”?

Kacey Rohl: Of course! It's been like kind of a bit with my manager for the past 10 years, is I just want to go to space – and he's right here; he's laughing. So, yeah, I would absolutely have moments where I would walk onto the set and just be completely flabbergasted. I would just be so floored.

First of all, the artistry of everyone who built our sets – it’s an incredibly immersive world. I have a specific memory of the first time we stepped onto one of our mission ships – and I did cry. I'm a crier; but I fully was like, “Whoa!” Knocked on my butt.

An incredible amount of craftsmanship. You really do feel like you're in space! And when they get all the screens going, it's just bananas. They're telling you to throw yourself to the right and throw yourself to the left. It's kind of like 8-year-old Kacey is like, “Are you kidding me?” That's who I felt close to this entire project. It was so playful and so joyful, and so – pardon this pun – out of this world. It just cracked me open in a really joyful way (laughs).

BTS: This story is also not just for “Star Trek” fans. Anyone can come in and just enjoy this movie and be immersed in the experience.

Kacey Rohl: Yeah; that's what I think so great about “Section 31,” is that I absolutely think it will appeal to people who've been fans of “Trek.” I think there's lots of things that we've built in – lots of things that are going to bring people a lot of joy to see, either back on screen or on screen in a different way, or all of that. But then I also think it acts as a really amazing bridge for people who maybe weren't fans of “Trek” before, or maybe have a taste for action films or something, but have never gotten into “Trek” for whatever reason. And so, I think our film operates in a cool space where we can appeal to both of those camps.

Michelle Yeoh returns to “Star Trek” as the infamous Georgiou. She teams with Section 31 agents, including Rachel Garrett (Kacey Rohl), to retrieve a stolen weapon capable of ending worlds. (Photo credit: Michael Gibson/Paramount+)

••••••••

BTS: You mentioned Michelle, and certainly – and rightfully so – she has been one of the most acclaimed actors of this decade. She really has made a name for herself with the quality of her work. There are some great scenes in this film where your character gets to square off with hers. How cool was it to go face-to-face with her?

Kacey Rohl: I mean, it's a dream come true, truly. I have a visceral memory of watching “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” as a kid, and having my world exploded. So, to be able to get to go toe-to-toe with her is so amazing.

The other cool part, too, is that Michelle is so nice and normal and grounded and funny and kind. It's not as though I was having to penetrate a bunch of, like, “famous person smog” to get to her. When she shows up to work, she's very there and very present, and is the type of person who brings her incredible experience to the table in a way that makes you want to rise to the challenge. And she does it by not making you feel small. She just, without even saying it, she sees your light, and she doesn't want to get in the way of you shining it.

We have some cool stuff together. It's just completely playful. And every now and then, I zoom out and I go, “Oh my god, it’s Michelle Yeoh! That's crazy (laughs)”

But most of the time, the great gift of her is her presence. And so, we can just drop right in together and go on a ride.

BTS: I have zero confidence you will be able to answer this question, but I will ask it anyway, because, as I mentioned, I really enjoyed the film – and it sounds like you had a blast.

The potential for future films or future team-ups with this cast?

Kacey Rohl: You know, I think we're all completely open to the possibility of that. I think we're all ready to talk about it, or consider it, or roll it around. I think we would all jump at the opportunity. We all genuinely have great affection for each other. So, if it makes sense, and the fans want it, and everything is tickety boo – I can speak for myself: I would leap at the opportunity.

Michelle Yeoh as Georgiou. (Photo credit: Sophy Holland/Paramount+)

(Paramount+ press photo // courtesy of EPK.TV)

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