Star Trek: Discovery’s final voyage is set to blast off in April 2024. The upcoming fifth season sees the USS Discovery embark on a galactic treasure hunt to find an ancient power, which has been hidden for centuries. Captain Michael Burnham and her crew—including returning favourites Saru, Paul Stamets, Sylvia Tilly, Hugh Culber, and Cleveland “Book” Booker—are sent on an epic adventure across the universe, racing against dangerous foes also seeking the mysterious power.
With the series concluding, season five sees the Discovery crew contemplating their next challenges and reflecting on their time together as a found family. The story this season focuses on a tonal shift towards adventure and fun, with a treasure hunt structure reminiscent of Indiana Jones lending the series a lighter, more upbeat tone than previous seasons.
New faces this season include Eve Harlow as Moll, a highly intelligent and dangerous strategic mind; her partner L’ak, played by Elias Toufexis, a tough and impulsive outlaw; and Callum Keith Rennie as the gruff and unpredictable Captain Rayner, a Starfleet captain who struggles in peacetime but thrives during wartime. Moll and L’ak are described as Bonnie and Clyde-style star-crossed lovers, while Rayner will push Burnham to grow and develop further.
Also returning are David Cronenberg as Kovich, Oded Fehr as Charles Vance, and Tig Notaro as Jett Reno. The new season promises a sense of wonder, with the crew exploring new worlds and civilizations, as well as a few surprises for long-time Trek fans. According to executive producer Alex Kurtzman, the origin of the treasure hunt will reward viewers who remember older Star Trek iterations.
Filmed at Pinewood Toronto Studios in Toronto, Canada, the fifth season sees the crew without their unique Spore Drive, following its sacrifice in the fourth season finale. The 10-episode season—a reduction from previous seasons—is scheduled to premiere on Paramount+ on 4 April 2024, with the first two episodes available on the same day. The rest will be released weekly until 30 May.
Although the series is coming to an end, Kurtzman has suggested that the 32nd century era of Star Trek: Discovery could continue in future projects. The upcoming Starfleet Academy, set in the 32nd century, is one such successor already confirmed.
