If you click on a link and make a purchase we may receive a small commission. Read our editorial policy.
Star Trek has a new central Klingon actor in Jay-Den Kraag, and he says he got expert prosthetics acting advice from Michael Dorn AND Doug Jones
Worf actor Michael Dorn is helping the next generation of Star Trek Klingons learn how to deal with prosthetics
Popverse's top stories
- Secret Wars gives up its mysteries in a new book about the origins of the Marvel epic - and you can help make it happen
- Here's how to watch all the New York Comic Con 2025 panels
- Watch GUNDAM Showcase - featuring Iron-Blooded Orphans, Hathaway, and the Future of Gundam from NYCC 2025
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy is all about learning for the characters and their actors. For the characters, it’s about training to be a Starfleet officer. For the actors, it’s about learning what it takes to be a part of the Star Trek universe.
Karim Diané, who plays Jay-Den Kraag, had to learn how to be a Klingon. After all, he had never been one before. Luckily Michael Dorn, who played Worf in Star Trek: The Next Generation was on hand to help. And Diané needed help…. especially with the prosthetics.
“I have never ever been in prosthetics ever for a role,” Diané says during a Star Trek spotlight panel at New York Comic Con 2025. “I had no idea what to expect, but going into it I quickly realized that it is a bit of a challenge. 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. But I have a world of people who have come and helped to make this experience seamless.”
“In the beginning it took about five hours every single day to get ready, and I had over 100 applications of the makeup, but they’ve cut that time in half, which is really helpful. I also got the chance to chat with Michael Dorn, which is really awesome. [Showrunner Alex Kurtzman] set up a FaceTime with him before I went into the makeup for the first time, so it was really dope to be able to talk to the Klingon, and then go and become a Klingon for the first time.”
Dorn wasn’t the only classic Trek actor Diané consulted with.
"I also talked to Doug Jones on the phone halfway through the season, because I was just like, ‘Man, this is hard. I need help.’ So, I got on the phone with him, and he gave so much great advice about being a prosthetics actor, how to really successfully get through the day, and manage everything. So, I take his words with me to work every single day.”
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy premieres January 15, 2026.
Want to know what's coming up next in pop culture? Check out Popverse's guides to:
About New York Comic Con
Welcome home, hero. This is your event where you can feel unafraid to geek out. Where you’re accepted and embraced for being yourself, regardless of your cultural background, physical ability, personal identity, or self-expression. Where you can experience the best in pop culture, be inspired, get star struck, treat yourself, and create all of those memories with the people you care about the most.
Dates
-
Location
New York City
United States
Follow Popverse for upcoming event coverage and news
Find out how we conduct our review by reading our review policy
Let Popverse be your tour guide through the wilderness of pop culture
Sign in and let us help you find your new favorite thing.
Comments
Want to join the discussion? Please activate your account first.
Visit Reedpop ID if you need to resend the confirmation email.