'Star Trek: Discovery' release date, latest news: Upcoming 'Star Trek' series delayed again; James Frain to play Spock's father

CBS All Access may, once again, delay the premiere schedule for the upcoming sci-fi series "Star Trek: Discovery."

CBS has recently released a statement regarding the potential delay of the show's launch on their online streaming service website. The statement reads: "Production on 'Star Trek: Discovery' begins next week. We love the cast, the scripts and are excited about the world the producers have created. This is an ambitious project; we will be flexible on a launch date if it's best for the show. We've said from the beginning it's more important to do this right than to do it fast. There is also added flexibility presenting on CBS All Access, which isn't beholden to seasonal premieres or launch windows."

According to Variety, the show may be delayed further due to the troubles encountered by the show even before the start of its production. With Bryan Fuller as showrunner, "Star Trek: Discovery" was supposed to be CBS All Access' first original series. However, Fuller stepped back from the showrunner role and handed over the reins to executive producers Gretchen Berg and Aaron Harberts.

Due to this change, initial plans to air "Discovery" this January was moved to May, making "The Good Fight" — which is set to premiere on Feb. 19 — the first All Access original series to be launched instead.

Production was supposed to start in November, but core casting was only completed in December. Hence, even the show's production was delayed until January.

On the other hand, CBS has also announced the casting of James Frain in "Star Trek: Discovery" as Sarek, Spock's father. He will be joining the "Discovery" cast which includes Sonequa Martin-Green ("The Walking Dead") in the lead role, as well as Michelle Yeoh, Anthony Rapp, Doug Jones, Chris Obi, Shazad Latif, and Mary Chieffo.

Whether the planned May launch date will push through or not, "Star Trek: Discovery" will have a special linear premiere on CBS. Its subsequent episodes will then be made available via CBS All Access.