French
DeutschPhilippa Georgiou
| Philippa Georgiou | |
|---|---|
| Star Trek character | |
 Yeoh as Georgiou | |
| First appearance | "The Vulcan Hello" (2017) |
| Created by | Bryan Fuller Gretchen J. Berg Aaron Harberts |
| Portrayed by | Michelle Yeoh |
| In-universe information | |
| Species | Human/Terran |
| Gender | Female |
| Occupation | Captain |
| Affiliation | United Federation of Planets Starfleet USS Shenzhou USS Discovery Terran Empire Section 31 |
| Planet | Earth |
| Born | 2202 |
Philippa Georgiou is a fictional character appearing in the Star Trek franchise portrayed by Malaysian actress Michelle Yeoh. First appearing in "The Vulcan Hello", the pilot episode of Star Trek: Discovery, Yeoh features as a major member of the recurring cast during the first three seasons of the series, and is credited in the main titles as a "special guest star" during each of the episodes she appears in. The character is introduced as the respected captain of the USS Shenzhou and a maternal figure to series protagonist Michael Burnham (played by Sonequa Martin-Green). Beginning in "The Wolf Inside", the eleventh episode of the show's first season, Yeoh also portrays an alternate version of Georgiou from the Mirror Universe, a despotic and ruthless emperor of the Terran Empire. The character makes her final appearance in "Terra Firma", the two-part finale of Discovery season three.
Yeoh will reprise her role as Georgiou in the film Star Trek: Section 31, slated for release in late 2024.[1]
Casting and characterization
[edit]In November 2016, it was rumored that Yeoh had been cast in Star Trek: Discovery, which was later confirmed by series writer and consulting producer Nicholas Meyer.[2] Initial reports indicated that she would appear as a character named "Han Bo" who, at the time, was rumored to be one of two female leads in Star Trek: Discovery, and was captain of the Shenzhou.[3] The character was later renamed Philippa Georgiou.[4][5] Discussing the character, Yeoh described Georgiou as an explorer who "loved the universe" and particularly "the possibility of seeing new stars", but also someone who "has seen the horrors of war".[6] She felt that, while the relationship between Georgiou and protagonist Burnham was professional, it was also "multilayered" and included a "mother/daughter" dynamic.[7]
Characterization
[edit]Yeoh chose to retain her Chinese Malaysian accent for the role,and also chose her own decorations for Georgiou's ready room, including Malaysian puppets and a bottle of Chateau Picard wine (a reference to Captain Jean-Luc Picard of Star Trek: The Next Generation).[8][9] She explained that, while preparing to take on the role, she worked closely with showrunners Aaron Harberts and Gretchen J. Berg, pilot director David Semel, and writer Ted Sullivan to get a feel for the character and to understand some of Georgiou's backstory. Yeoh described her as a "very compassionate person" despite her experiences of war and conflict and that her belief in the "goodness of humanity" is what drew her to the part.[6]
Name and tiles
[edit]When the Terran emperor is revealed to be the Mirror Universe version of Georgiou, her full title is stated as "Her most Imperial Majesty, Mother of the Fatherland, Overlord of Vulcan, Dominus of Kronos, Regina Andor, Philippa Georgiou Augustus Iaponius Centarius". Jordon Nardino, who wrote the first season's twelfth episode "Vaulting Ambition", explained his creative process behind Georgiou's full name and titles in this universe, noting that a lot of the Terran Empire was inspired by the Roman Empire, the names of their emporers, and information he gleaned from the book SPQR: A History of Ancient Rome by Mary Beard. Nardino stated that Mother of the Fatherland is a play on "Father of the fatherland", and that the remainder of Georgiou's titles are based on words conquered by the terrans. Regarding Emperor Georgiou's many names, Nardino stated that "Augustus" was selected because the Terrans see themselves as inheritors of the Roman Empire so their Emperors take the title of Rome's first Emperor. "Iaponius" (the latin word for Japanese), is a reference to Hoshi Sato (played by Linda Park), a character who appeared in Star Trek: Enterprise who named herself empress of the Terran Empire, with Nardino believing that Georgiou would have chosen this to connect the two characters in some way despite Georgiou being Chinese-Malaysian like Yeoh. "Centaurius" was chosen to reflect the first system colonised by the terrans.[10]
Appearances
[edit]Star Trek: Discovery
[edit]Season one
[edit]Season two
[edit]Season three
[edit]Star Trek: Section 31
[edit]Novels
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Brian Wilkins (April 18, 2023). "Michelle Yeoh set to return as Philippa Georgiou in new Paramount+ film 'Star Trek: Section 31'". Trek News.
- ^ Kayla Iacovino (November 22, 2016). "UNCONFIRMED: "Star Trek: Discovery" May Have Its First Star In Michelle Yeoh". TrekMovie.com.
- ^ John Duchak (November 23, 2016). "BREAKING: Michelle Yeoh Reportedly Cast as Captain Han Bo of the U.S.S. Shenzhou in "Star Trek: Discovery"". TrekMovie.com.
- ^ Hibberd, James (November 29, 2016). "Star Trek: Discovery casts 3 actors, adds gay character". Entertainment Weekly.
- ^ Lincoln, Ross A.; Patten, Dominic (November 23, 2016). "'Star Trek: Discovery' Casts Michelle Yeoh In Captain Role". Deadline Hollywood. United States.
- ^ a b "Michelle Yeoh Sheds Light on Captain Georgiou, Discovery". StarTrek.com. September 12, 2017.
- ^ "O Discovery, Where Art Thou?". After Trek. Season 1. Episode 1. September 24, 2017. CBS All Access.
- ^ "Why Michelle Yeoh's "Chinese Malaysian" Accent In Star Trek Made A Fan Cry". Malaysian Digest. May 24, 2017.
- ^ Zalben, Alexander (September 10, 2017). "23 Secrets We Learned on the Star Trek: Discovery Set". TV Guide.
- ^ "Jordon Nardino on Twitter". Twitter. January 23, 2018.