“Still the charming Kirk we know” - Star Trek: Strange New Worlds’ Paul Wesley on taking on the role of James T. Kirk

For trekkies, it is hard to imagine the coveted role of James T. Kirk in Star Trek being played by anyone but William Shatner. So, it came as an absolute surprise to see Paul Wesley embody a young Kirk in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds so skillfully. He not only kept many of Shatner’s attributes but also added a few of his own to give Kirk a well-rounded personality. Wesley shared that though he took inspiration from Star Trek: The Original Series, he also improvised many of his characteristics to fit the storyline.

In an interview with ScreenRant, Wesley got candid about portraying the role of Kirk in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. He said,

"[…] episode 3 of season 2 (Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow) was this rom-com, in a way, and I wanted that version of Kirk to be this boyish, nerdish, charming hero, for lack of a better word. I just wanted him to be still the charming Kirk we know, but a little more of a young kid with curiosity in this big world.”

He continued,

“He has never been on Earth, (so he's) like a kid in a candy store. And then in episode 6 of season 2 (Lost in Translation), we get to meet Prime Timeline Kirk. I didn't stray too far from episode 3, I still wanted him to be that kind of boyish cowboy (but) with a deep sense of curiosity, and a deep sense of adventure. But also someone who's selfless and wants to help people. And that's very much what he does with Uhura.”

Paul Wesley as James T. Kirk in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds

Paul Wesley portrays the role of Lieutenant James T. Kirk in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. Amusingly, in the series, we first meet Kirk in an alternate future timeline in Season 1, episode 10 titled ‘A Quality of Mercy'. In the future timeline, Kirk commands the USS Farragut, and an older version of Captain Christopher Pike (played by Anson Mount) as Rear Admiral. A throwback to the Star Trek: The Original Series episode ‘Balance of Terror’, Pike and Kirk team up against the Romulans.

In Season 2 episode 3 titled ‘Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow’, once again, we meet Kirk from an alternate timeline. USS Enterprise Chief Security Officer Lieutenant La'an Noonien-Singh (played by Christina Chong) encounters alternate timeline Kirk, who is the captain of the United Earth Fleet's USS Enterprise and grew up in space on the USS Iowa.

The two team up to prevent a Romulan attack on Earth, while trying to restore the timeline. La’an starts developing feelings for Kirk, who is tragically killed by a Romulan operative. La’an manages to fix the Prime timeline, erasing Kirk’s alternate timeline completely.

While he displays the same amount of zeal and enthusiasm, it is not until episode 6, titled ‘Lost in Translation’, that we meet Prime Timeline Kirk. Lieutenant Kirk comes aboard the USS Enterprise as the First Officer of the USS Farragut.

Kirk would even get a few lessons on his duties as First Officer from Number One Una Chin-Riley (played by Rebecca Romijn). The episode also helps build the foundation of friendship between Kirk and Ensign Nyota Uhura (played by Celia Rose Gooding).

Wesley shares that he found the dynamics between the two characters interesting, as it reflects their relationship in Star Trek: The Original Series. He said,

“It's one of the great, important relationships in Star Trek and The Original Series. Their communication and their dynamic is obviously iconic. And I love that there was an arc. I just love that the show keeps creating these really interesting arcs. And that's how I'm approaching Kirk in general. I want to build to the Kirk that we know. I want to create arcs. I want to I want to create this interesting backstory for Kirk. The genesis of Kirk that is a little unexpected, so that we are surprised every episode and (Kirk is) growing into something that we are then familiar with.”

While taking on the role of Kirk, Wesley was aware of the huge weight on his shoulders. He would refer to Star Trek: The Original Series episodes to take notes on Shatner’s performance and add some of his own elements to it. He explained,

“The season 1 finale, "A Quality of Mercy" was obviously based on "Balance of Terror." I watched "Balance of Terror" a few times, and I made a very conscious decision. I said, "Okay, literally the moment we meet Kirk in "A Quality of Mercy" is right after all these people have perished. And so, I made a pretty conscious decision to play him a little seriously and a little different, alt-timeline, more of like a kind of higher stakes. And if you watch "Balance of Terror," William Shatner is actually very serious in that episode. And I wanted to pay homage to that as well.”

Wesley will reprise the role again in Season 2, episode 9 titled ‘Subspace Rhapsody’. La’an will share her feelings with Kirk, who will reveal that his girlfriend Carol Marcus is pregnant. A throwback to Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.

It is also interesting to note that in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Kirk’s older brother, Lieutenant George Samuel ‘Sam’ Kirk (played by Dan Jeannotte), serves on the USS Enterprise and is a friend of Captain Pike as well.

William Shatner portrayed the role of James T. Kirk in Star Trek: The Original Series, Star Trek: The Motion Picture, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, Star Trek V: The Final Frontier, Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country and Star Trek Generations.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds will return with Season 3 on Paramount+ on July 17, 2025.

ALSO READ: This is why I think Spock’s warp command as Captain in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds stands out among the others

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