The newest cadet stepping onto the grounds of Starfleet Academy is making history before his first class even begins. Actor Karim Diané is transforming into Jay-Den Kraag, a character marking a major return for one of Star Trek‘s most famous alien races. For the first time since the era of Michael Dorn’s Worf, a full-blooded Klingon is a central character in a Star Trek series. Diané recently pulled back the curtain on the intense process of becoming a Klingon, sharing a detailed look at the prosthetics, molds, and fittings required to bring Jay-Den to life.
This journey is part of the larger arrival of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy. The series will premiere globally on Paramount+ on January 15, 2026, starting with two episodes. Set in the late 32nd century, the show follows the first new class to study at the reopened Starfleet Academy on Earth in over a century. The series features a mix of new alien species and classic ones, with Klingons taking a prominent spot in the storyline.
Behind the Scenes: Building a Modern Klingon
The path to becoming Cadet Jay-Den Kraag is a physical marathon. Karim Diané shared an Instagram Reel documenting the transformation, giving fans a rare view into the elaborate practical effects work. The process begins with creating a 3D mold of the actor’s head, a claustrophobic and precise first step. From there, prosthetic pieces are carefully applied to build the iconic Klingon ridged brow and facial structure.
Diané described the daily routine as a significant challenge, initially taking between four and a half to five hours to complete. This involves not just the facial prosthetics, but also wig application, makeup, colored contact lenses, and getting into the full Starfleet uniform and bodysuit. The makeup team even conducts a “stress test,” pushing and pulling on the applied pieces to ensure they can withstand long shooting days and intense scenes. Thanks to the skill of the prosthetics team, this time was eventually reduced to about two hours.
“I had no idea what to expect… It’s a lot going on. You’re getting all this stuff glued to your face, the wig, the hair, the makeup, the suit. There’s a lot going on there.” – Karim Diané on the makeup process.
This commitment to practical makeup continues a long Star Trek tradition, distinguishing the new Klingons from the more controversial, heavily altered designs seen in early seasons of Star Trek: Discovery. Jay-Den Kraag’s look is a return to the classic, ridge-browed appearance that fans recognize.
Jay-Den Kraag: A Klingon Unlike Any Other
While the appearance is familiar, Jay-Den’s character breaks the mold for Klingons in Starfleet. He is not training for tactical command or security. Instead, Jay-Den is a student of Life Sciences and Medicine, aiming to become a medical officer. This focus on healing and science, rather than combat, presents a new dimension to Klingon honor and strength within the franchise.
His unique path sets him apart even among other Klingon characters in the series. He is the only full Klingon main cadet. He will be surrounded by hybrids, including the villain Nus Braka, played by Paul Giamatti, who is half-Klingon and half-Tellarite. Another key officer is Commander Lura Thok, portrayed by Gina Yashere, a half-Klingon and half-Jem’Hadar who serves as the Cadet Master. This dynamic allows the show to explore Klingon identity and culture from multiple angles.
Before stepping into the role, Diané sought guidance from veterans of prosthetic acting in the Star Trek universe. He spoke with Michael Dorn, the iconic actor behind Worf, right before his first costume fitting. He also reached out to Doug Jones, renowned for his roles in Star Trek: Discovery and other sci-fi projects, for advice on managing the physical demands of the job.
“I got the chance to talk to Michael Dorn right before I went into costume for the first time… an icon, right? So I literally talked to Worf before I went to become a Klingon for the first time.” – Karim Diané.
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Starfleet Academy’s First Cadet Class
Jay-Den Kraag is one of several young cadets at the heart of the new series. They form the first new class at the Academy since a galactic catastrophe known as “The Burn” forced its closure over a century prior. The show’s official synopsis states it follows “a young group of cadets who come together to pursue a common dream of hope and optimism,” navigating friendships, rivalries, first loves, and a new enemy.
The core cadet crew includes:
- Caleb Mir (Sandro Rosta): A human orphan and outsider who is initially disillusioned with Starfleet.
- Series Acclimation Mil ‘Sam’ (Kerrice Brooks): A photonic hologram—essentially a sentient, newborn hologram—attending the Academy for the first time.
- Genesis Lythe (Bella Shepard): A Dar-Sha, which is a brand new alien species created for the show, and the daughter of an admiral.
- Darem Reymi (George Hawkins): A Khionian from a wealthy homeworld, defined by pressure and competition.
- Tarima Sadal (Zoë Steine): A Betazoid, a classic Star Trek species known for telepathy.
They are guided by instructors including Captain Nahla Ake (Holly Hunter), the half-Lanthanite chancellor of the Academy and commander of the USS Athena, which serves as both school and ship. The cast also features returning franchise favorites like Robert Picardo as the Emergency Medical Hologram from Voyager and Jonathan Frakes, who directs an episode.
Global Release and Season Details
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy is set for a global premiere. The first two episodes will be available on Thursday, January 15, 2026, on Paramount+. The first season will consist of ten episodes in total. Production on a second season is already underway in Toronto, indicating Paramount+’s confidence in the new series.
Promotion for the show is increasing as the date approaches. A new clip shown at the CCXP convention in Brazil in December 2025 features the USS Athena coming under attack by Paul Giamatti’s character, Nus Braka. The series is executive produced by Alex Kurtzman and Noga Landau, key figures in the modern Star Trek television universe.
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