Paul Wesley’s reveal about when he will filmStar Trek: Strange New Worldsseason 4 has excitingimplications forStar Trek’s 60th anniversary. In 2026,Star Trekturns 60, when the 1966 premiere ofStar Trek: The Original Seriesis celebrated on June 18, 2025, which is also Star Trek Day.Star Trek: Strange New Worldsreturns in 2025 for season 3 on Paramount+.Strange New Worldsseason 3 was filmed from December 2023 to May 2024 and is currently in post-production. Paramount+ also gaveStar Trek: Strange New Worldsan early season 4 renewal.
The Hollywood Reporterspotlighted Paul Wesley and Brother’s Bond, the bourbon company Paul founded with hisThe Vampire Diariesco-star, Ian Somerhalder. Wesley plays Lieutenant James T. Kirk (as well as alternate versions of Kirk), and Paul has been part ofStar Trek: Strange New Worlds’castsince season 1’s finale. InTHR’s article,Wesley dropped a tidbit about when he will begin filmingStar Trek: Strange New Worldsseason 4:
For example, I’m going off to shoot season four of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds in February, and they know that. So, I’ve accounted for that time, and I’m committed to that, and Ian’s gonna take over some of my duties, and I have other team members.
Here’s what Paul Wesley’sStrange New Worldsseason 4 news means forStar Trek’s 60th anniversary in 2026.
Lieutenant James T. Kirk Is In Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 4
Plenty more Kirk is on the way
The fact that Paul Wesley is returning to Toronto to start filmingStar Trek: Strange New Worldsseason 4 in February 2025 is confirmation thatLt. James T. Kirk is guaranteed to be inStrange New Worldsin season 4.Lt. Kirk is Wesley’s primary role, although Paul has also played twoalternate reality versions of Captain KirkinStrange New Worldsseason 1’s finale and inStrange New Worldsseason 2, episode 3, “Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow.” InStrange New Worlds’timeline as a prequel toStar Trek: The Original Series, Kirk is the First Officer of the USS Farragut.
It might have been logical to keep Kirk away from Strange New Worlds season 4.
While it’s not surprising that Paul Wesley’s Kirk will be inStar Trek: Strange New Worldsseason 4, it was also possible that Kirk would be omitted from the fourth season. After all,Kirk doesn’t belong on the USS Enterprise(yet), and he has his own starship to command, althoughJames often visits the Starship Enterprisecommanded by Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount). It might have been logical to keep Kirk away fromStrange New Worldsseason 4. There also may have been a scenario where Paul Wesley wouldn’t be available to filmStrange New Worldsseason 4 due to scheduling conflicts. Happily, that isn’t the case, and Paul Wesley’s Kirk is confirmed forStrange New Worldsseason 4.
Kirk Will Be Part Of Star Trek’s 60th Anniversary
It wouldn’t be a Star Trek celebration without Kirk
Star Trek: Strange New Worldsseason 4 is expected to premiere on Paramount+ in 2026, and Paul Wesley will be in season 4. This means Lt. James T. Kirk will be part of Star Trek’s 60th anniversary, which is fitting. After all,Star Trekwas originally about Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner) and the USS Enterprisewhen it began in 1966. Paul Wesley is the current actor portraying Kirk, and it wouldn’t be right to markStar Trek’s 60th birthday without Kirk.
Season 4 expected in 2026 on Paramount+
Theatrical release expected in 2026
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy
Season 1 expected in 2026 on Paramount+
Star Trek: Strange New Worldsseason 4 is one of three knownStar Trekprojects expected to mark 60 years ofStar Trekin 2026. WhileStrange New Worldsis a prequel set inStar Trek’s 23rd century,Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, which is currently in production, will continueStar Trekin its 32nd century future. In addition,Star Trekis slated to finally return to movie theaters with theUntitled Star Trek Origin, a prequel film directed by Toby Haynes. ButStrange New Worldsseason 4 is the onlyStar Trek60th anniversary project involving Kirk, Spock (Ethan Peck), and the Starship Enterprise.
What Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 4’s Filming Window Means
Strange New Worlds takes half a year to film
Production ofStar Trek: Strange New Worlds' 10-episode seasons lasts approximately six months. Paul Wesley joinsStrange New Worldsseason 4’s filming in February 2025, but production may start even earlier without Wesley’s Kirk. It’s a safe bet thatStrange New Worldsseason 4’s filming will take up the first half of 2025. Although Paramount+ has yet to announce whenStrange New Worldsseason 3will be released next year, the cast would still make themselves available to promote season 3 even if they’re simultaneously filmingStrange New Worldsseason 4.
WhenStar Trek: Strange New Worldsseason 4 could premiere on Paramount+ is another question.Strange New Worldshas traditionally been released in the spring, but there’s a chanceStar Trek: Starfleet Academycould take that slot. This scenario would pushStrange New Worldsseason 4’s premiere until fall 2026, but that would also make sense, asit would coincide withStar Trek’s 60th anniversaryand Star Trek Day on September 8. With Paul Wesley’s Lt. James T. Kirk aboard, there’s no better way to mark six decades ofStar Trekand look ahead to the franchise’s future thanStar Trek: Strange New Worldsseason 4.
