The Vampire Diaries' Paul Wesley joins Star Trek: Strange New Worlds as James T. Kirk
Paul Wesley as James T. Kirk in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. Image Paramount+
MARCH 16, 2022 - As Star Trek: Strange New Worlds gears up for a May 5th premiere, Paramount+ officially announced the addition of actor Paul Wesley to the cast.
Who’s he playing? A young James T. Kirk.
Paramount+ posted a welcoming message for Wesley to social media, saying, “Hello there, Jim @paulwesley will join #StarTrek #StrangeNewWorlds Season 2 as James T. Kirk!”
Hello there, Jim 👋 @paulwesley will join #StarTrek #StrangeNewWorlds Season 2 as James T. Kirk! pic.twitter.com/wP4tLZj733
— Paramount+ (@paramountplus) March 15, 2022
The announcement came after Wesley was seen filming with series regular Christina Chong on the streets of Toronto earlier this week. Wesley is known for his work on multiple television shows, including roles in The Vampire Diaries, Army Wives, and American Dreams.
Shortly after the announcement came from Paramount+, Wesley took to Twitter, acknowledging his role on Strange New Worlds. Wesley tweeted, “I am deeply humbled and still a little startled to have been given the honor of playing the inimitable James T Kirk. Ever since I was a kid, I have been awed by the imaginative world Gene Roddenberry created.” Wesley went on to tell a brief story about a recent flight to Los Angeles, one in which he happened to be seated next to the original Jim Kirk, William Shatner. After saying he’s “not one who usually believes in fate”, Wesley had to admit it was “more than a coincidence”.
I am deeply humbled and still a little startled to have been given the honor of playing the inimitable James T Kirk. Ever since I was a kid, I have been awed by the imaginative world Gene Roddenberry created.
— Paul Wesley (@paulwesley) March 15, 2022
Recently, I boarded a flight to LA to discover that the man in the pic.twitter.com/U8GVD4ZemP
Shatner passed along a few kind words for Wesley, welcoming him to the Star Trek family in a separate tweet which read, “@paulwesley Keep my ship and crew safe, Captain! Congratulations!”
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is set to premiere on Paramount+ May 5th, 2022.
Chris Peterson is a contributing writer for Daily Star Trek News on the Roddenberry Podcast Network. An outdoor enthusiast and a fan of film and literature, he is also an actor, singer and musician with stage credits including CATS, Fiddler on the Roof, The Rocky Horror Show and The Producers.
