Although the upcoming Star Trek: Strange New Worlds takes place years before James T. Kirk captained the U.S.S. Enterprise, it seems that the iconic character will be making an appearance nonetheless. THR has reported that Paul Wesley, best known for The Vampire Diaries, will be playing Captain Kirk in the second season of Strange New Worlds.
“Paul is an accomplished actor, an astonishing presence and a welcome key addition to the show,” said executive producer Alex Kurtzman and showrunners Akiva Goldsman and Henry Alonso Myers in a statement. “Like all of us, he is a life-long Star Trek fan and we are excited by his interpretation of this iconic role.” An image of Paul Wesley as Captain Kirk in Strange New Worlds was also released, showing the character seated on the bridge of a Starfleet vessel, possibly even the Enterprise itself.
The first season of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds won’t debut until May, but production on the second season is already well underway in Toronto. Paul Wesley will be the third actor to play Captain Kirk after Chris Pine and William Shatner.
Strange New Worlds will star Anson Mount as Captain Christopher Pike alongside Rebecca Romijn as Una Chin-Riley, Ethan Peck as Spock, Babs Olusanmokun as Dr. M’Benga, Jess Bush as Christine Chapel, Celia Rose Gooding as Nyota Uhura, Melissa Navia as Erica Ortegas, Bruce Horak as Hemmer, and Christina Chong as La’an Noonien-Singh. It’s been said that Strange New Worlds will tell more episodic stories than Discovery and Picard, which I think a lot of fans will appreciate.
The official synopsis for Star Trek: Strange New Worlds:
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is based on the years Captain Christopher Pike manned the helm of the U.S.S. Enterprise. The series will feature fan favorites from season two of STAR TREK: DISCOVERY: Anson Mount as Captain Christopher Pike, Rebecca Romijn as Number One and Ethan Peck as Science Officer Spock. The series will follow Captain Pike, Science Officer Spock and Number One in the years before Captain Kirk boarded the U.S.S. Enterprise, as they explore new worlds around the galaxy.
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds will debut on Paramount+ on May 5, 2022.