Roddenberry’s Future: The Canadian Cast of ‘Section 31’ Compare The Great White North to Gene’s Great Vision
‘Star Trek: Section 31’ stars Kacey Rohl and Humberly González discuss the heartfelt inclusion they’ve felt from fans, and how both Canada and Trek reflect that same ideal.
Trekkies are getting a Star Trek film for the first time in nearly a decade, and while the franchise certainly has roots in Canada, it seems more and more of the fictional future has a future North of the border. The Canadian content all began with the late great James Doohan and his iconic Scottish accent in the original cast. Joining Doohan, helming the cast and the Enterprise was a veteran stage actor, fresh off the Stratford stage who brought a foreign cadence of his own was William Shatner.
Like much of new Trek, the most recent made-for-streaming feature film, Section 31 was shot predominantly in the greater Toronto area, and features local talent including Kacey Rohl (Wayward Pines) and Humberly González (Tarot).
The film follows Philippa Georgiou (Michelle Yeoh) as she works with Section 31, a secret division of Starfleet tasked with protecting the United Federation of Planets, and must face the sins of her past. Section 31 often goes deep into the satchel of the past, pulling out some amazing Easter eggs and deep cuts for the real Trekker. Notably, comedian Sam Richardson plays Quasi, and as you would expect, Richardson brings a lighthearted energy to the otherwise dark and often jaded underbelly of the Federation Section 31 represents. However Quasi also brings back a long forgotten piece of Trek history, as he is a shape-shifting Chameloid, who is naturally perfect for the espionage of the group. The golden-eyed Chameloids haven’t been seen since Martia (played by Iman) helped Kirk and McCoy escape the Klingon gulag known as Rura Penthe. The Trek universe is full of shape-shifting alien species, but a Chameloid sighting is few and far between.
Click below for the full video interview with Gonzalez and Rohl, or continue scrolling for the remainder of the article.
González and Rohl both represent deep dives, with González playing another species rarely seen. Her character Melle is a Deltan, a rarely seen alien race known for their striking bald heads and celibate nature. Rohl has the opportunity to bring a specific fan favorite character back to her youth. In one of the greatest Next Generation episodes, “Yesterday’s Enterprise”, fans got to witness a rift in time which opened a portal to the past. Through that portal emerged Captain Rachel Garrett, the captain of the Enterprise C and her battle-torn ship. In the Section 31 universe, Rohl plays a young, paint-by-numbers Garrett, a mere lieutenant and the one member of the squad to ensure things don’t get too out of hand.
Knowing the immense history of the property, and knowing they represent both the past and future of Trek, the two actors do not take for granted the gravity of the situation, and the sheer size of the Star Trek universe.
“This is unlike anything” Rohl admits. “How lucky am I that I found my way into incredible fandoms and that I'm now a part of this one that's just massive and passionate and joyful and enthusiastic? It's just such a privilege that I'm really grateful and don't take lightly.”
That passion and joy is something both Rohl and González notice follows the franchise in almost every aspect of production. They both experienced their first ComicCon last summer, and that meant blessing the hallowed Hall H. To see that many fans is something hard to put into words unless you’ve experienced it first hand. Rohl simply describes it as “unbounded joy”.
“Everyone’s owning what they're passionate about.” Rohl continues. “That's just such an incredible energy to be around. There's no shame around any of the things that people are into.” González sums it up by saying “It’s for absolutely everybody”.
If that phrase doesn’t also represent the ideal that Trek creator Gene Roddenberry intended to release into the world, what does? González recognizes that it once again comes full circle back to Canada in a very heartfelt and patriotic way.
“My family and I moved here and decided to move here because it was easier to immigrate here. I think when you don't take so many steps to be included in a new country, instantly you feel like you're invited and that you're going to be accepted in some way.” González’s family fled Venezuela during a time of political turmoil, and while Canada is far from perfect, there are many citizens who embrace the beautiful melting pot the country is. Once again, at least the good side of Canada represents the optimistic future of Trek.
“I think those themes always run through Star Trek.” continues González. “It's the acceptance and the inclusivity that you do matter, no matter where you're from, no matter the challenges that you've had in your life. You're still worthy, and there's still a purpose for you. I'm so grateful that my dad and my family thought of taking us from a political turmoil and giving us a fresh start in Canada, where I got to find my passion and my career for acting. I’m always very proud to be from here and now being part of this legacy. It's kind of like this full circle moment”.