'Star Trek Discovery' release date, news and updates: Series casts 'Crouching Tiger' actress Michelle Yeoh

Bryan Fuller has just left the role of showrunner for CBS' upcoming "Star Trek Discovery," but the production seems to be moving forward even without him. The show has just cast "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" actress Michelle Yeoh in a recurring role, and other reports are even saying that she is playing a Federation captain.

According to Variety, there are some reports claiming Yeoh has been cast for the lead part, but this is simply not the case. The studio is said to be looking for a much younger African-American or Latina actress to fill in the role for the lead. What's more, it's said that the studio is not looking to cast a big name for the part but would rather have a fresh face.

As for Yeoh's role, Deadline reports that Yeoh is a Starfleet captain, but not of the main ship that will be the focus of "Discovery." Yeoh will be a captain of another ship by the name of Shenzhou, and her character's name is Han Bo. Though her ship is not the star of the show, Han Bo and her crew will be playing a big role in the first season of "Star Trek Discovery."

The same reports says that the story will be taking place 10 years before the original series, and the lead character will not be a captain, but a lieutenant commander on the Federation ship Discovery. No name has been assigned to the lead, but it's said that the rest of the crew will be referring to her as "Number One."

A lot of fans were initially worried about Fuller leaving the role of showrunner initially, but it looks like the production has been moving wonderfully with its new showrunner.

There is no specific release date yet but fans can expect "Star Trek: Discovery" to air sometime in May 2017.