Paramount+ series, Strange New Worlds, which is built around early adventures of the Enterprise when commanded by its original Captain Christopher Pike, has cast actor Paul Wesley to play the role of James T Kirk. The series which is not meant to mimic the original Star Trek series is likely to feature Kirk as a key part of the crew along with Ethan Peck’s Spock. As longtime Star Trek fans will know Captain Pike is destined to have an unfortunate end for his command and be stuck essentially in essentially a space iron lung until he finally retires to a planet where he can live out a life in happiness. Whether that element of the character is ever addressed on the series is anybody’s guess.
“Paul is an accomplished actor, an astonishing presence and a welcome key addition to the show. Like all of us, he is a life-long Star Trek fan and we are excited by his interpretation of this iconic role,” said Alex Kurtzman, Akiva Goldsman and Henry Alonso Myers.
Strange New Worlds season 1 has yet to debut, but Star Trek Discovery fans have already gotten a taste of this universe’s Pike and Spock during the second season of the series.
Wesley will be the third actor to play James Kirk on screen following Chris Pine and of course William Shatner.
