Star Trek: Prodigy - A Diverse Cast of Star Trek Aliens

Introduction to Star Trek: Prodigy

Star Trek: Prodigy introduced a diverse range of young Starfleet Academy hopefuls and new alien species to the Star Trek franchise. The animated Star Trek series was aimed at a younger audience, and is the perfect entry-level show for young fans. Alongside new alien species like the Vau N'Akat and the mystery of the heritage of Dal R'El (Brett Gray), Prodigy also introduced characters from existing races like the Medusians and Tellarites.

Dal R'El is attacked by a Borg drone during the Star Trek: Prodigy season 1 episode, "Let Sleeping Borg Lie"

Star Trek: Prodigy's young crew were brought together at the Tars Lamora prison colony, where they were used as slave labor in the colony's mines by the Diviner (John Noble). Discovering the abandoned Star Trek: Prodigy hero ship the USS Protostar, the youngsters are given the chance to be heroes thanks to the guidance of Hologram Janeway (Kate Mulgrew). Prodigy's young heroes also learned more about themselves throughout season 1, as they explored their passions for science, engineering, and exploration. On top of this, they also learned more about their mysterious origins, and what it takes to be a Starfleet recruit.

Dal stands in front of a green hexagon display in Star Trek: Prodigy

Dal R'El - The Lead Protagonist

Dal R'El is the lead protagonist of Star Trek: Prodigy, and is the unofficial captain of the USS Protostar during season 1. Unaware of where he came from, Dal was raised by a Ferengi called DaiMon Nandi, who later sold him into slavery on Tars Lamora. Dal later discovered this on being reunited with Nandi, and turned his back on the closest thing he had to a mother. Dal's search for answers about his origins was a big part of Prodigy season 1, and he eventually discovered that he was a humanoid augment, genetically hybridized with multiple alien species by scholars of Star Trek's Arik Soong (Brent Spiner).

admiral-janeawy-dal-gwyn-prodigy-finale

Unfortunately, Dal's genetic augmentations barred him from entry into Starfleet Academy, due to the ban on genetically enhanced species still being enforced. Luckily, Vice Admiral Janeway vouched for Dal, recognizing his heroism and value to the organization. Dal also had a tentative romantic connection with Gwyndala (Ella Purnell) which was abruptly paused in the Star Trek: Prodigy season 1 finale, due to her decision to return to Solum and prepare her people for the arrival of the Federation. As Prodigy season 2 starts, Dal will no longer be a captain, and will instead be a young warrant officer aboard the USS Voyager-A, something which may not sit well with this supremely confident, and occasionally brash, leader.

Closeup of Dal R' El from Star Trek: Prodigy

Gwyndala - The Genetically Engineered 'Daughter'

Gwyndala was the genetically engineered 'daughter' of the villainous Diviner, who was taken hostage by Dal during his escape from Tars Lamora. After their initial enmity, Gwyn and Dal grew closer, after she was left to die by her father. The Diviner's plans in Star Trek: Prodigy season 1 overshadowed his duty as a father, and his abandonment led Gwyn to join the Protostar crew as a valuable ally. Gwyn had a talent for communication, understanding an impressive array of languages, which proved to be invaluable when the Living Construct disabled the Federation's universal translators.

Star Trek Dal Prodigy

Gwyn learned about the historic tragedy that devastated her home planet, and has resolved to travel to Solum to unite her people. Her hope is that by uniting the Vau N'Akat and preparing them for the arrival of the Federation, she can avert a civil war that will leave the planet devastated in 50 years. This means that Gwyn will not be joining her friends aboard the USS Voyager-A in Star Trek: Prodigy season 2, suggesting a dual narrative split across 24th and 25th-century Solum.

Ella Purnell voices Gwyndala in Star Trek: Prodigy