If the LGBTQ+ representation in Season 1 of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy upset you, Karim Diane has a warning about Season 2: “Prepare to be pissed off.”
With the Paramount+ series preparing to end on its second season, the young actor, who plays Klingon cadet Jay-Den Kraag, teased what's ahead. And while he couldn’t reveal much about the story, he made it clear that the show won’t be backing away from the themes that divided viewers.
Speaking with TrekMovie, Diane was asked whether he could share anything about the upcoming season without getting himself in trouble.
“Without getting in trouble, no. But I can say… If anybody was excited by seeing gay things in the first season, ba-by!” he said, laughing. “If anybody was upset by gay things in the first season, prepare to be pissed off.”
Diane had a similar tone when responding to the show’s cancellation back in March. At the time, he described Season 2 as “GAY AF”, thanked fans for supporting Jay-Den, and promised to continue sharing behind-the-scenes footage celebrating the character.
As an openly gay Klingon who wants to become a doctor, Jay-Den offered a different take on a species usually defined by its warriors. His pacifism also cut against what fans expected from Klingon characters. Some viewers praised the change, while others argued it didn’t line up with the franchise’s established lore.
That back-and-forth fed into the larger debate around Starfleet Academy, which was review-bombed soon after it premiered, with critics calling the series too “woke.” When Paramount canceled the show in March 2026, it didn’t give a reason, though reports pointed to low viewership. Some fans and cast members have suggested Paramount’s new ownership was less interested in backing the show, but whether the culture-war criticism played any role remains speculation.
Diane hopes that future Star Trek shows will continue making room for characters whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the people watching.
“Include people, that’s the only thing that I hope for Star Trek moving forward," he said. "Include real people. People look so different. I look so different from you, I am so different from you, and you are different from me. I hope that we both can continue to see ourselves when we watch this TV show.”
His comments follow those of co-star Robert Picardo, who returned as the Doctor from Star Trek: Voyager. As we previously reported, Picardo suggested that the political climate and hostility toward diversity shaped the reaction to the series. He also expressed hope that future projects would preserve the franchise’s values.
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy will conclude with Season 2, leaving one more season for Jay-Den and his fellow cadets.