Saru (Star Trek: Discovery)

Saru is a fictional character in the Star Trek franchise, appearing as a main cast member in the television series Star Trek: Discovery (2017–2024). A Kelpien—a species created specifically for the series—Saru is portrayed by actor Doug Jones throughout all five seasons of the show. Introduced as the cautious and principled Starfleet officer, Saru becomes a central figure in the series' exploration of diplomacy, leadership, and post-traumatic transformation. Over time, he rises through the ranks to become captain of the starship USS Discovery, later serving as a United Federation of Planets ambassador and ultimately attaining the rank of admiral. Saru was the first member of a pre-warp civilization to join Starfleet and the first Kelpien to serve in the organization.

Saru was the first major role created specifically for Doug Jones, offered to him without an audition—an unprecedented moment in his decades-long career. Known for his long history of prosthetic-based performance in genre films, Jones embraced the opportunity despite initially planning to retire from such physically intensive work. Saru’s elongated gait and distinct silhouette were direct results of the elevated costume design, particularly the hoofed footwear. Critics and fans frequently compared Saru to earlier iconic non-human characters such as Spock, Data, and Odo, noting his position as the first alien to captain a title ship in the franchise.

Within the narrative, Saru undergoes significant development, transitioning from a fear-driven officer shaped by his prey-species biology into a bold and principled leader. His evolution is catalyzed by the Kelpien rite of passage known as vahar’ai, which transforms his psychological state and strips away instinctive fear. His character arc explores themes of colonialism, identity, and trauma recovery, especially through his attempts to reconcile his Federation duties with the needs of his homeworld, Kaminar. Saru’s relationship with crewmates—including Michael Burnham and Sylvia Tilly—serves as a central emotional axis of the show, with Burnham eventually taking over the captaincy as Saru transitions to diplomatic service.

Jones’s performance as Saru received critical acclaim, earning him two Saturn Awards for Best Supporting Actor. The role brought him mainstream recognition and is often cited as the defining part of his career. Critics and scholars have praised Saru’s characterization for challenging the archetype of the non-human "other" in Star Trek, offering instead a layered depiction of fear, resilience, and leadership. His storyline has been interpreted through lenses of globalization, post-colonial identity, and gender egalitarianism.