“Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” Actor Paul Wesley Speaks While Playing Captain Kirk Mantle About the Surprise Appearance at the End and What’s Next

[This story contains spoilers for Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season one finale, “A Quality of Mercury.”]

Paul Wesley knew immediately that everything would be all right. The world clearly told him it was his time to play Captain James T. Kirk – after all, who better to bless than William Shatner?

At the beginning of the year it was announced that Vampire Diaries The star played the role of Captain Kirk in the second season. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. But fans were stunned when Wesley made his debut as the iconic sci-fi character this week in the Paramount+ series’ first season finale “A Degree of Mercury,” a brilliant mirror image of the classic. Star Trek: The Original Series Episode, “Balance of Terror”.

And it didn’t disappoint, bringing a unique and endearing look at the iconic captain that Shatner made a pop culture staple and then introduced to a new generation in the JJ Abrams film series starring Chris Pine. And as fate would have it, Wesley accidentally Share a plane ride with Shatner at the time his casting was announced. Obviously some footage was done at the time for the secret season finale. After that, Shatner publicly gave his blessing To the new Kirk: “Protect my ship and my crew, Captain! joyful!”

in the conversation the hollywood reporter Before the season finale, Wesley explains how much he appreciated Shatner’s kind gesture and explores how he grew closer to his Captain Kirk, including a motorcycle riding lesson.

In the chat below, the actor also talks about how he got the mystery role and how season two will improve the relationship between Kirk and his brother Samuel.

The selection process was so secret to the others I interviewed that I can’t imagine how close it was for you. Tell me, how did this happen?

It was a mystery! It happened so fast I thought it was a joke because it was literally my agent calling me over the weekend and saying, “Hey, you want to zoom in fast.” [showrunners] Akiva and Henry and the casting directors? I told him, “Yes, of course. Do you know what that’s for?” And they said, “This is a character that is very iconic. a grave roadjust talk to them and see what happens.” So we scaled it up and we all had a great time. The episode hadn’t been written yet, but they knew they wanted Kirk to come. So there was no material, it was just general conversation about anything you can imagine. And that was it. So it was literally like, “You’re leaving next week.” (laughs.)

That’s wild. Once you were hired, how did you make your own iteration of such a classic sci-fi character? Did you want leftovers from Mr. Shatner on this Kirk?

The most important aspect is not to imitate anything that is sacred. And obviously, William Shatner’s portrayal of Captain Kirk really touched people; It was important to people for several reasons. I think the most important thing is not to impress, because that’s an insult to such an iconic character, and it’s a reminder that I’m not William Shatner. (laughs.) So this is a version of Kirk we’ve never seen, and every episode is different.

Obviously, the season one finale is an alternate timeline that doesn’t exist because it takes place in the future. He is not the captain of the Enterprise. He never met Spock and never had an experience like this. This is a Kirk that has a different shape. So I was really open to interpretation at the end of the season. In season two, we meet the Kirk we know best. I think the most important thing was to respect the important pillars of his personality: his morals, his incredible instincts, his courage, his compassion for others and how protective he is of his crew.

What was it like wearing this suit for the first time, overwhelming? Authorized? Incredible?

(laughs.) All these words are pretty accurate. The TV moves fast and even sitting in the chair I was watching it from the start. COUGH episode, I’m trying to find a pose or where to hold my hands; I feel at home in this chair. I ride a motorcycle and the first time you get on a motorcycle you don’t really understand how it moves and you don’t understand how to make good sharp turns. You don’t feel comfortable. And the chair is how you sit. It was one of the things I needed to understand, so I felt like I had sat there a thousand times. And so it is in this set. I know this outfit; I feel at home in it.

We never saw much of Kirk’s brother Samuel. COUGH Except for Shatner with a short mustache, so it was really fun to see more of him. SNW. Do you and Dan Janot have a good relationship? Will this relationship be further explored?

Dan is wonderful and it was very easy for me to relate to him. I don’t know how to describe it. However, we will explore this in future episodes, especially in season two. I don’t want to be too sarcastic, but there’s a rivalry between them because they’re so different. There is competition. They both want to impress their father, and it’s hard when Kirk has accomplished so much, so quickly. Samuel is having a hard time dealing with it.

I finally knew the fans were back when Shatner blessed them via Twitter after the two of you flew together. I bet it works wonders for nerves and anxiety when you put yourself in Kirk’s shoes. how did you feel

What class for him. I should not have done it. We had a really good conversation on the plane, but you know, he didn’t need it. He went out of his way to tweet “good luck and congratulations”, which really meant a lot. You have no idea how much that meant to me. He hadn’t seen what we were doing, but he gave me his blessing to enjoy the character. And that meant everything to me.

The interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 1 is streaming now on Paramount+.