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!”

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”.

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.