'Star Trek: Discovery' release date, cast news: Michelle Yeoh to play a captain named Han Bo

A screenshot from the "Star Trek: Discovery" trailer.CBS

More details about Michelle Yeoh's role on "Star Trek: Discovery" has been trickling in since "Star Trek" screenwriter Nicholas Meyer shared the news of her casting with ComingSoon.

People initially thought Yeoh was going to portray one of the main characters in the series, or perhaps even the lead character who happens to be the lieutenant commander of the U.S.S. Discovery. After all, CBS was looking for a female minority actress for the role they had in mind. But that may not be the case.

Sources have told Deadline that Yeoh is going to be portraying a character named Han Bo, and this character is the captain of a ship called the Shenzhou. The publication says Han Bo is going to play a prominent role in the first season of the series.

Variety says Han Bo will be a recurring character, so she probably won't be present in every episode. Well, this won't be the first time Yeoh will portray a minor character in a TV series. The "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" star also played Lotus in the second season of "Marco Polo."

As of this writing, CBS has yet to make an announcement confirming Yeoh's role for the series, so just take everything with a salt of grain in the meantime.

Meanwhile, the lead role is still up for grabs and Variety has reported that casting has been underway for months now, but they have yet to find the right person for the job. The publication's sources say the network wants to cast a young African-American or Latina actress. Apparently, CBS is not looking for an established actress and they want to cast a fresh face for the role.

"Star Trek: Discovery" is set to premiere on CBS in May 2017 before it moves to the network's All Access platform. Episodes will be made available on Netflix 24 hours after they premiere.