'Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' Lieutenant Kirk, Paul Wesley, Recounts His First Encounter with Captain Kirk, William Shatner

William Shatner and Paul Wesley at San Diego Comic-Con in 2022.

AUGUST 23, 2O23 - In the vast cosmos of science fiction, few names resonate as powerfully as that of James T. Kirk, the indomitable captain of the starship USS Enterprise. Immortalized by the legendary William Shatner in the iconic Star Trek: The Original Series, the role has now found a new embodiment in the form of Paul Wesley in the latest installment, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. Wesley's journey into the Star Trek universe, however, began with a peculiar and amusing encounter with none other than the original Captain Kirk himself, William Shatner.

Wesley's immersion into the world of Star Trek began when he was cast as Lt. James T. Kirk, the younger version of the beloved character portrayed by Shatner. Wesley, known for his role in The Vampire Diaries, embarked on this new chapter with both excitement and trepidation. Little did he know that fate had orchestrated a unique encounter that would forever bind him to the legacy of the starship captain.

In an interview on the Inside of You with Michael Rosenbaum podcast, recorded before the premiere of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2, Wesley recounted the uncanny tale. Fresh from shooting his debut episode, and under strict instructions not to reveal his casting, Wesley found himself on a flight from Chicago to LA. As he settled into his seat, a familiar figure caught his eye: William Shatner, the original Captain Kirk, who had just returned from space alongside Jeff Bezos.

To Wesley's astonishment, destiny had orchestrated a seating arrangement that placed him next to the very person he was now set to portray. Flabbergasted and questioning the reality of the situation, Wesley navigated the delicate art of conversation, attempting to allude to his role without blatantly revealing it. However, the encounter seemed more like a comedy sketch than real life, with Wesley admitting it was a "disaster" of a meeting.

“I honestly think he thought I was some deranged fan,” Wesley said. “I was stuttering… It was a disaster… I asked him for a selfie, and he was kind enough to do it. I felt terrible, but I said I gotta capture this moment.”

Despite the initial awkwardness, Wesley's story took a heartwarming turn. After the announcement of his casting, William Shatner took to Twitter to extend his support, tweeting a message that read, "Take care of my ship." This gesture not only reassured Wesley but also solidified a bond between the two Kirks that extended beyond their fictional roles.

Their paths crossed on multiple occasions following that fateful flight. At San Diego Comic-Con 2022, they reunited for a ceremony honoring Shatner's legacy, sparking yet another conversation. The most recent rendezvous occurred at STLV: 57-Year Mission in August 2023, where Wesley and Shatner took the stage together, joined by Dan Jeannotte, who portrays James' brother, Lt. Sam Kirk, in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. In a delightful twist, Shatner had originally portrayed both James and Sam Kirk in Star Trek: The Original Series.