<\/p>
Anthony Rapp has revealed that the Star Trek: Discovery<\/a> cast were not told in advance that season four would be withheld from international audiences until at least next year.<\/p>\n The sci-fi drama is returning for a brand new run of episodes this week on US streamer Paramount+<\/a>, with episodes initially expected to be available globally via Netflix the following day, as had been the case with the previous three seasons.<\/p>\n However, Deadline<\/a> announced the surprise development that ViacomCBS has bought out of its distribution deal with Netflix<\/a>, a move that saw Discovery pulled from its streaming library in all territories yesterday \u2013 including UK and Ireland.<\/p>\n This drastic action was taken in preparation for Paramount+ being rolled out in approximately 45 international markets over the next year, with Discovery being one of the platform\u2019s most valuable titles.<\/p> Star Trek fans are frustrated by the move as it means that many will now have to dodge spoilers for months as they wait for Discovery season four, while those living in regions with no Paramount+ launch date will have to sit tight for even longer.<\/p>\n Rapp, who plays Lieutenant Commander Paul Stamets, released a statement on his Twitter page in solidarity with international fans following the shock news.<\/p>\n \u201cWe cast members just found out about this as well and we share your disappointment and frustration,\u201d reads his tweet, which is the first in a five-part thread.<\/p>\n I hereby reach out to our many international #StarTrekDiscovery<\/a> fans, who are understandably upset at the last-minute news that you won\u2019t get to experience Season 4 until 2022. We cast members just found out about this as well, & we share your disappointment & frustration.<\/p>\u2014 Anthony Rapp SAG-AFTRA National & NY Board Member (@albinokid) November 17, 2021<\/a><\/blockquote>