Last week, Paramount+ and CBS Studios announced that Star Trek: Starfleet Academy will conclude after its second season. While the cancellation wasn’t entirely surprising due to the show’s well-documented low viewership, reactions were mixed, with fans divided along familiar lines.
Series star Karim Diane was one of the show's actors to speak out following the news, sharing an update on social media and celebrating his time on the show.
"Season 2 will be our last season. That is really hard for me to say, because I love this show so much. I got the chance to create 20 episodes within one of the most iconic sci-fi franchises of all time, alongside some of the most experienced and talented artists in this entire industry. And, there is 10 episodes left. Season 2 is basically just Season 1 turned all the way up. I also have so much behind-the-scenes content that I am going to continue sharing. Thank you guys so much for supporting me, supporting Jay-Den, and supporting this show."
Karim Diane was one of Starfleet Academy's standouts, playing Klingon cadet Jay-Den Kraag. As Star Trek’s first openly gay Klingon, Jay-Den represented a major milestone for representation, but he also quickly became a focal point of both praise and criticism among viewers.
While many fans celebrated Jay-Den as meaningful representation, others pushed back. Some felt that a smiling, pacifist Klingon who wants to be a doctor didn’t fit the historic representation of Klingons as aggressive warriors. Others openly criticized the show’s progressive themes, rejected Jay-Den, and even celebrated its cancellation.
Karim Diane responded to detractors in a comment on his own video, leaning into the criticism with humor and pride, even describing Season 2 as "GAY AF". He wrote:
season 2 is GAY AF, and I have SOOOOO much bts content coming your way. Please prepare to be sick of me 😭😭 im going to be EVEN LOUDER and more annoying about this beautiful gay Klingon. we going out IN FLAMES 🔥 🔥 🔥
Poking the bears typically isn’t encouraged, but in this case, Karim Diane has nothing to lose and nothing to be embarrassed about. As he noted, he got to play a meaningful role in one of the most iconic sci‑fi franchises of all time. While it isn’t the ending everyone involved had hoped for, there’s still plenty of reason to celebrate.
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy Season 2 has already wrapped filming, but Paramount+ has not yet announced a release date.