Toronto actor Humberly Gonzalez, a graduate of the venerable Canadian Film Centre, continues her rise in television with a leading role in the highly anticipated Star Trek: Section 31, now streaming on Paramount+. The film, which premiered on January 24, sees Michelle Yeoh reprising her role as Emperor Philippa Georgiou, who navigates the shadows of Starfleet’s secretive division, all the whilst confronting her past.
Gonzalez joins a star-studded ensemble cast including Omari Hardwick (Power), Emmy-winning actor Sam Richardson (Ted Lasso), Robert Kazinsky (Pacific Rim), Kacey Rohl (Hannibal), Sven Ruygrok (One Piece), James Hiroyuki Liao (Barry), and Joe Pingue (The Expanse). Best known for her role as Sophie Sanchez in Netflix’s Ginny & Georgia, Gonzalez has steadily built an impressive resume across television, film, and even gaming. Her latest foray marks another significant milestone in her career, solidifying her status as one of Canada’s rising stars.
“It’s a wonderful day, I just saw myself on a billboard in Times Square,” says Gonzalez during a recent interview after the show’s premiere. She describes filming at Pinewood Studios’ famous Star Trek stage as unique, highlighting how the entire main cast was present on the first day. “That’s very rare on a film or TV set. A lot of times it’s very out of order chronologically,” she notes. “But we spent two full film days with one scene, which is when you first meet the entire team. That was the best way to start the project because we all really had to rely on each other.”
According to Gonzalez, the Star Trek: Section 31 team features Yeoh, who positively influenced the cast dynamic. “She really lifted everybody up,” Gonzalez remarks. “Everything trickles down from the top. So Casey, Michelle, and I are the women of the cast, and I felt very taken care of. I had permission to play because she was very playful.”
Being Canadian and proudly Venezuelan, Gonzalez brings cultural depth to her diverse body of work. “I do feel the program is such an accelerator for the talent we have in Canada,” she states. “They are nurturing the next wave of Canadian talent, and I always wanted to go to this school.” During filming, she took pride in showcasing Toronto to her castmates, highlighting activities like attending Toronto Maple Leafs games, karaoke nights, and enjoying the local cuisine. “Toronto has a lot to offer. We grew really close very quickly; it’s such a gift to have,” she reflects.
Gonzalez emphasizes the significance of working on Star Trek productions for actors from Toronto. “It’s such a rite of passage to do Star Trek. We have Pinewood Studios and within it, we have the Star Trek stage. Everybody knows it shoots there,” she explains. “So, if you’re an actor or up-and-coming actor, you know about it and you want to be part of it. It’s really impressive—the sets, costumes, and makeup; it’s such a family.”
Beyond her stellar role, Gonzalez has been making waves in gaming, voicing the character Kay Vess in the upcoming Star Wars: Outlaws video game. She recently completed filming for Netflix’s upcoming series The Waterfront, created by Kevin Williamson, and starred in Sony Pictures’ horror hit Tarot, which grossed $45 million globally on just an $8 million budget. With such accomplishments, Gonzalez shows how her career is just beginning, making significant strides toward the final frontier.
At the center of Star Trek: Section 31, the film delves deep within the titular organization, known for operating clandestinely, often crossing moral lines where Starfleet cannot. The biggest secret, surprisingly, isn't what the group does but rather the cameo of Oscar-winning legend Jamie Lee Curtis, marking her Star Trek debut.
The narrative follows Philippa Georgiou (Yeoh) and her ragtag group of celestial misfits as they encounter familiar and new challenges. At the film's start, as they are briefed on Georgiou's surreal story via narration from their boss known as 'Control', by the end, they successfully prevent the universe's end, bringing Georgiou on future missions.
Everything Everywhere All at Once, Curtis’s cameo was both fitting and spectacular.Executive producer Alex Kurtzman shared the behind-the-scenes story of Curtis’s involvement, noting the tight-knit friendship between Michelle and Jamie. “When I said to Michelle, 'The director of Section 31 should actually be somebody recognizable,' she said, 'Let’s ask Jamie.' And I thought, 'Well, we'd be the luckiest people.' She came, did it. It was great,” he states.
Director Olatunde Osunsanmi added, “Her cameo was the opening of our principal photography. She was amazing. It was fitting.” Yeoh, showcasing her leadership qualities, highlighted the collaboration among the producers to finalize Curtis's cameo, noting it as truly team-work driven.
With the film hinting at more potential adventures with Georgiou and crew, the future remains open yet secretive, keeping fans on the edge of their seats. Whether Curtis’ character returns for more than just her minute of airtime remains to be seen. Who knows? Perhaps more stars will align for future journeys among the stars.
Star Trek: Section 31 is currently streaming on Paramount+.