Star Trek Strange New Worlds Casts Bones and Sulu as Fandom Fears Kurtzman Original Series Reboot

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With the final season of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, the show is finishing its effort to recreate the original series’ cast, now including characters Sulu and Bones.

Deadline reports that the Paramount+ series has added Thomas Jane and Kai Murakami for its fifth and final season. Jane will play Leonard “Bones” McCoy, and Murakami will portray Hikaru Sulu. Both actors will appear in the season finale, which will also serve as the show’s last episode.

This casting completes the show’s replacement of the original Star Trek crew – with the exception of Chekov, whose character wasn’t part of the initial lineup. This happens as the show’s creators are also pushing for a revival of the original series.

A Late Arrival for Two Iconic Characters

Neither Dr. McCoy (Bones) nor Hikaru Sulu has been seen in Strange New Worlds yet. The show takes place long before the events of The Original Series, but fans have long wondered if the rest of the Enterprise crew would eventually appear as the show gets closer to the original timeline.

That speculation has now proven accurate—if limited.

Instead of gradually introducing characters over several episodes, Strange New Worlds is saving their debuts for the season finale. This suggests the show is focused on wrapping things up rather than building towards a larger story, hinting at future possibilities without fully committing to them.

Casting Choices That Invite Curiosity—and Caution

The role of Dr. Leonard “Bones” McCoy, famously played by DeForest Kelley, will be taken on by Thomas Jane, a seasoned actor known for his work in science fiction and other genres. Fans may recognize Jane from shows like The Expanse and The Punisher, as well as the film The Thin Red Line.

Kai Murakami joining the cast of Strange New Worlds is a significant first for him – it’s his very first television role. He’s a celebrated stage actor, having worked with the Royal Shakespeare Company, and he’s taking on the role of Sulu, which was famously played by George Takei.

Honestly, seeing these actors cast feels…complicated. Back in the day, this would have been huge news, a clear signal of where the story was headed. But right now, with the Star Trek fanbase so divided, it just feels like a statement, and not necessarily a reassuring one. It’s less about excitement for the future and more about bracing for whatever comes next, especially given how fractured the fandom feels.

Modern Star Trek’s Uneven Track Record

Initially, Strange New Worlds was seen as a shift back to the classic Star Trek format – standalone episodes and recognizable character types. However, recent Star Trek shows overseen by executive producer Alex Kurtzman haven’t always been consistent in quality or style.

While some seasons and episodes have been fan favorites, others have faced criticism for sudden shifts in mood, inconsistent character development, and a focus on current social issues that some viewers believe distracts from the story. Because of this, news about returning cast members doesn’t always generate the excitement it once did.

That context matters here.

Bringing back Bones and Sulu feels less like a satisfying payoff and more like a cautious nod to the past—a way to recognize what came before without significantly changing the story.

Or it could signal something more…

Previous Talk of Continuing Into a New Original Series Reboot

The way Bones and Sulu were introduced is especially interesting considering what the creators of Strange New Worlds have said about the future of Star Trek.

As That Park Place previously reported, the creators of the show have talked about making a new series set on Captain Kirk’s Enterprise. This series would essentially be a fresh take on the first season of the original Star Trek.

The creative team described Strange New Worlds as a stepping stone, designed to slowly introduce the classic Enterprise crew before launching a new series exploring the adventures of Captain Kirk, but told with modern storytelling approaches.

Although a sequel hasn’t been confirmed, the recent discussions have reignited rumors that this show was intentionally created to pave the way for a complete revival of the original series.

As a lifelong fan, I always found it interesting how they handled Bones and Sulu in that last episode. It didn’t feel like they were setting things up for a direct continuation of the original show, more like a nod to the possibility of a future with Kirk and company without fully committing to another reboot of The Original Series. It left things open-ended, acknowledging that world still existed, but not necessarily promising a full return to it.

Direction Still Unclear

As a lifelong Trekkie, seeing Bones and Sulu show up at the end of Strange New Worlds was a huge moment – they’re practically legends! It felt incredibly significant, like a passing of the torch. But honestly, it also left me wondering what the future holds for Star Trek. It was exciting, sure, but it definitely raised a lot of questions about where the franchise is headed.

Considering previous comments from the show’s creators about possibly continuing with a series set in Kirk’s early years—a “Year One” concept—these latest casting choices are open to multiple interpretations. They could be seen as a graceful way to end the series, or as a careful move to recognize the existing crew without making a firm commitment to completely reimagining The Original Series.

Recent Star Trek shows have been hit or miss, so fans are cautious about appearances from beloved older characters. Whether bringing back figures like Bones and Sulu feels natural, forced, or temporary will depend on how well it’s done, and if the series prioritizes respecting its history over making radical changes after Strange New Worlds ends.

As a huge fan, the recent casting choices for Star Trek: Strange New Worlds – bringing in actors to play Bones and Sulu – feels a little strange. It doesn’t feel like a smooth continuation of the original series, but more like the show is looking back at what made Star Trek great, hinting they might try to recapture that magic. It also feels like the showrunners know they have to rebuild some trust with longtime fans after some recent choices, and that’s not going to happen overnight.

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2025-12-27 19:58