Federation president of the 32nd century, of mixed Bajoran, Cardassian and human descent, who guided the Federation through the Dark Matter Anomaly crisis.
Laira Rillak, played by Chelah Horsdal, is President of the United Federation of Planets in the 32nd century. She is of mixed Bajoran, Cardassian and human heritage and is a skilled political operator, focused on rebuilding the Federation's ties with worlds that drifted away after the Burn.
Rillak is introduced in Discovery's fourth season, when she promotes Michael Burnham to captain and then works with her during the crisis caused by the Dark Matter Anomaly and the species behind it, Unknown Species 10-C. The two often disagree about method, as Rillak puts politics and alliances first while Burnham trusts her instincts, but they come to respect each other. In the fifth season Rillak sends Discovery on the secret search for the Progenitors' technology and handles the diplomatic fallout with the Breen.
Rillak gave Discovery's later seasons a political view of the Federation's recovery. She is one of the few Federation presidents in Star Trek to have a recurring role.