Warning: This article contains spoilers from theStar Trek: Strange New Worldsseason 1 finale.
A new captain has beamed up to the command deck.
This Kirk, Wesley says, is somewhere in between.
Paul Wesley makes his debut as Captain Kirk on the season finale of ‘Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.'.Marni Grossman/Paramount+
“This is a whole new look,” he notes.
TheSNWfinale sees Captain Pike (Anson Mount) getting a visit from his future self.
Farragut and arrives on the scene amid a conflict with the Romulans.
Paul Wesley beams up to the command deck as a young Captain Kirk in ‘Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.'.Marni Grossman/Paramount+
PAUL WESLEY: Gosh, how many adjectives?
I could give you about a hundred and it would still not really describe it.
Obviously, it is incredibly daunting.
Captain Kirk (Paul Wesley) and Captain Pike (Anson Mount) convene in ‘Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.'.Marni Grossman/Paramount+
Then I’ll say “Captain Kirk.”
It’s arguably the most iconic fictional character.
There’s Hans Solo and there’s Captain Kirk.
What is your personal Captain Kirk?
He’s somewhere in between.
It’s an interpretation that is different.
I think doing an imitation of either [Kirks] would be an insult.
We just remind people that it’s not William Shatner.
This is a whole new look.
It’s a whole new Spock.
It’s a whole new Uhura.
It’s a whole new Kirk.
It’s a new Pike.
They’re old characters interpreted in a new way.
What was really important for you to bring out in him with your debut in the season 1 finale?
It’s an alternate projected timeline of something.
If Pike hadn’t died and he was still commanding the Enterprise, what would this world look like?
Of course, it doesn’t exist.
It’s just in his mind.
So he meets Kirk, and Kirk is not captain of the Enterprise.
Kirk is captain of the Farragut.
So, in a way, it allowed me to…
I’m not gonna say whatever I wanted, but it’s a looser interpretation, right?
We’re not sticking to a regiment.
So it was a little liberating because I didn’t have as much pressure.
Season 2, we get to explore a little bit more of Kirk.
In the finale, we see Kirk and Pike hitting up against each other.
Do you see this episode as setting up that particular character dynamic in season 2?
Yeah, I do.
The two men have a great deal of respect for one another.
So it’s fascinating to see this.
There’s never really a sense of animosity or real competitiveness.
There’s a deep sense of respect, ‘cause ultimately they want the same thing.
Kirk just knows that he’ll figure it out quickly and he’s relied on that his entire life.
We found out about you playing Kirk with the anticipation you would come in season 2.
Obviously, you have this surprise appearance in season 1.
Did you have to shoot this appearance under the cover of darkness, as it were?
I didn’t tell anyone other than very, very close family and friends.
I’m glad they did because it allows people to digest it in a way, you know?
It was really hard to not tell.
I ran into some people who are diehardStar Trekfans.
This was before the announcement.
They’re like, “Oh!
I’m like, “Maybe you’ve heard of him.
They’re like, “Shut up!
No, you’re not.”
It’s such an iconic role that everyone thinks you’re pulling their leg.
So I was glad that the announcement came out.
This interview has been edited and condensed for length and clarity.
Star Trek: Strange New Worldsseason 1 is currently streaming on Paramount+.
