Captain Kirk’s Full Enterprise Crew Is “Magical” In Star Trek: Strange New Worlds’ Series Finale, Says Paul Wesley (Exclusive)

Published Sep 10, 2026, 9:39 PM EDT John Orquiola is a New & Classic TV Editor, Senior Writer, and Interviewer with a special focus on Star Trek. John has over 5,000 published articles at SR, and he has interviewed the biggest names in Star Trek on the red carpet and VIP events, among other beloved shows, movies, and franchises. Warning: SPOILERS for Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 4, Episode 8 - "Orders of Magnitude"Paul Wesley discusses the magic on set when Captain James T. Kirk's USS Enterprise crew assembles in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' series finale. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' fifth and final season, which wrapped filming last December, will end with James Kirk becoming Captain of the USS Enterprise. The transition from Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount) to Captain Kirk is the endgame of the prequel's 'five-year mission.' Strange New Worlds season 4 is in the process of building towards this pivotal moment in Star Trek history, as Kirk evolves into the captain he's destined to be. Paul Wesley spoke to ScreenRant's John Orquiola about Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 4, episode 8, "Orders of Magnitude." It's an amazing episode, and Strange New Worlds' latest showcase for Wesley's portrayal of James Kirk. Regarding his favorite instance of playing Kirk, Paul reveals that "there was something truly magical" when Captain Kirk's entire USS Enterprise crew assembles in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' series finale. Read Wesley's quote below: ScreenRant: What has been your favorite time playing Kirk so far, or is it still to come? Paul Wesley: “Um, it's very hard because, you know, ‘favorite.’ There's always something special about many different moments. I will say, it was announced, as you guys know, that we cast Bones and we cast Sulu. We obviously have Spock, and I will say without giving anything away that there was something truly magical about having these characters on screen together. Our own version of it. When we were on set, I was like, ‘Wow, there's something magical here. There's something working.’ The chemistry's on point, and certainly, that was the case for The Original Series, and I think we have a bit of a semblance of that as well.” Before Star Trek: Strange New Worlds wrapped filming the series finale, Paramount+ revealed that Thomas Jane was cast as Dr. Leonard "Bones" McCoy and Kai Murakami will appear as Lieutenant Hikaru Sulu. Both iconic characters will appear in Strange New Worlds' final episode, completing Captain Kirk's Starship Enterprise crew. (Ensign Pavel Chekov doesn't come aboard until Star Trek: The Original Series season 2.) Wesley praising the cast's "chemistry" being "on point" is an exciting prospect. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' casting has been consistently stellar. Along with Wesley's Kirk, Ethan Peck's Mr. Spock, Celia Rose Gooding's Lieutenant Uhura, Martin Quinn's Scotty, and Jess Bush's Nurse Christine Chapel gel beautifully when they share the screen. It sounds like Jane's Bones and Murakami's Sulu will fit right in when they complete Kirk's Enterprise crew. Image credit: Paramount+ Captain Kirk and his crew launching the Starship Enterprise's five-year mission at the end of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is a bridge to Star Trek: Year One, executive producers Akiva Goldsman and Henry Alonso Myers' proposed continuation spinoff. Given Paramount Skydance's nebulous plans for the future of Star Trek's TV franchise, there has been no movement on Star Trek: Year One. However, everyone who would be involved in Star Trek: Year One would be thrilled to return for the spinoff. Meanwhile, Strange New Worlds season 4's finale, "Tomorrow's Enterprise," will actually show Captain Kirk in command of his legendary starship. Footage of "Tomorrow's Enterprise" was included in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' San Diego Comic-Con sizzle reel. "Tomorrow's Enterprise" could be a proof of concept of Star Trek: Year One, and if it's well-received, it may nudge Paramount+ to invite Paul Wesley and his Starship Enterprise crew back for more voyages. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 4 is streaming on Paramount+ Release Date 2022 - 2027-00-00 Network Paramount+ Showrunner Henry Alonso Myers, Akiva Goldsman Directors Dan Liu, Amanda Row, Maja Vrvilo, Akiva Goldsman, Dermott Downs, Eduardo Sánchez, Jeffrey W. Byrd, Jonathan Frakes, Jordan Canning, Leslie Hope, Valerie Weiss, Sydney Freeland, Christopher J. Byrne, Rachel Leiterman Writers Onitra Johnson Franchise(s) Star Trek Creator(s) Akiva Goldsman, Alex Kurtzman, Jenny Lumet