Speaking at WonderCon 2018, Star Trek: Discovery showrunners Gretchen J. Berg and Aaron Harberts have offered fans an update on Season 2.
When Star Trek: Discovery began last year, fans were wary. For one thing, the show was releasing exclusively on CBS All Access, a streaming service that wasn't really known for original content. Fortunately, Discovery proved good enough to drive record subscriptions, and CBS were delighted with the result. They confirmed that the show would be renewed for a second season back in October of last year. The final episode closed with the Discovery assisting the U.S.S. Enterprise herself, a plot twist that left fans thrilled. For one thing, it raised the tantalizing possibility that Season 2 would actually introduce a younger version of Spock. Also, Season 1 featured Starfleet's black ops division, Section 31, working in the shadows; a recently released "secret scene" teased that they could well play a major role in Season 2.
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Right now, fans are eager for news. Showrunners Gretchen J. Berg and Aaron Harberts spoke to TrekMovie at WonderCon, and gave an update on production. They revealed that CBS has signed up for a 13-episode season, and that production will begin in April. Frustratingly, they weren't able to reveal a release date; previous comments have suggested Season 2 won't air until 2019, and that still seems likely.
Plans can change, of course. Season 1 was originally intended to run for 13 episodes too, but the episode count was extended to 15 during production. It will certainly be interesting to see whether or not something similar happens with Season 2. Meanwhile, fans will also be eagerly watching for news of any more spinoff novels. Where most Star Trek novels aren't part of continuity, the Discovery novels have been considered canon. As such, they present crucial elements of the characters' backstories, and even showed key interaction between Michael Burnham and Spock. Novel sales have been fairly strong, so CBS may choose to continue that approach.
Production of Season 1 was plagued by delays, causing a lot of bad press for Discovery. It's entirely possible CBS is choosing to hold back on a date until they see how production on Season 2 is going. Right now it really does look as though Season 2 won't air until early 2019, but - should production prove to go better this time round - that may yet change. The show has certainly found its feet, exploring ethical questions about Starfleet that have never been asked before, and using the Mirror Universe in a unique and imaginative way. Given that's the case, Season 2 should be far more assured and confident.
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Source: TrekMovie