A Unique Take on a Legendary Role
Actor Paul Wesley has taken on the iconic role of James T. Kirk in the hit Paramount+ series, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. For fans of the Star Trek franchise, the name James T. Kirk is synonymous with the bold and brave captain of the USS Enterprise, originally portrayed by William Shatner. Shatner, now 94, first brought the character to life in Star Trek: The Original Series, which ran for three seasons from 1966 to 1969.
In a September 2025 interview with Entertainment Tonight, alongside his castmate Ethan Peck, Wesley shared an unexpected encounter with Shatner that occurred when he was first cast as Kirk for Star Trek: SNW Season 1, which premiered in 2022. According to Wesley, he had just finished shooting his first episode of Strange New Worlds when he found himself on the same airplane as Shatner. At first, he thought it might be a prank or a hidden camera show.
"At first I was like, I don't know. This is so bizarrely, like, am I hallucinating or is this a hidden camera show? Did Paramount do this? But I quickly realized it wasn't. It was just a coincidence," said the Vampire Diaries star during the interview.
Wesley began his conversation with Shatner by reminding him that they used to be neighbors. He then decided to tell him he was cast as a younger version of Kirk for Star Trek: SNW. "We're mid-flight and I'm like, 'I got to tell him. I got to tell him. I got to.' And I'm like, 'Bill, listen,'" said Wesley to Peck, who plays Mr. Spock, originated by the late Leonard Nimoy. "He was like reading a book, and I was like, 'I hate to interrupt you, but I got cast in a role that I think you know well. You might be familiar with.' And he was just like, 'Well, what's the role?' And I was like, 'You know, Kirk.'"
Wesley theorized that Shatner didn’t believe him at first. "I think he really thought that I was like kind of pulling a fast one. He was just like 'What is this guy going on about?' And we chatted a little bit. He's like, 'Well, good luck.' Not much because I think he thought I was crazy," said Wesley in the interview.
However, Shatner later gave Wesley words of support on social media when it was officially announced that he was cast as Kirk. "Then it's announced that I got the role and then he tweets me, 'Take care of my crew and my ship.' And 'Congratulations Captain,'" said Wesley.
Creating a New Version of Kirk
In an August 2025 interview with CGMagazine, Wesley explained why he chose not to "replicate" Shatner's performance as Kirk, which he described as brilliant. "I realized quite quickly and with the advice of others that I will never be able to match his intrinsic qualities as a human being," said Wesley in the interview. "So what I tried to look at some of the qualities that are non-negotiable for the character. And then instill my own version of James T. Kirk that is unique to me."
Wesley emphasized the importance of bringing his own perspective to the role while honoring the legacy of the original character. His approach reflects a deep respect for the Star Trek universe and the impact of Shatner’s portrayal of Kirk.
The fifth and final season of Star Trek: SNW is currently in production, and fans are eager to see how Wesley continues to shape the character of James T. Kirk in this new chapter of the Star Trek saga.
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