Brace Yourselves, Star Trek Fans!

Captain Christopher Pike is about to wrap up his five-year mission, but don’t you worry—this isn’t the end for our beloved starship Enterprise! We’re diving back into the prequel adventures of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, where the setup is all too familiar. Characters like La’an and Ortegas are getting the boot, making way for the legendary names that we all know and love. After kicking things off with Spock, Uhura, and Chapel, it’s time to welcome the illustrious doctor and helmsman from the Original Series.

Who’s Stepping Into McCoy and Sulu?

Hold onto your tricorders, because seasoned actor Thomas Jane is stepping into the shoes of Doctor Leonard “Bones” McCoy. Joining him is the fresh-faced Kai Murakami, who will be zipping around as helmsman Hikaru Sulu. You can catch these fabulous additions in the sixth episode of Strange New Worlds’ fifth season, which will also wrap up this short-lived run! Talk about a grand finale!

Meet Doctor Bones!

For those unacquainted, Bones is one of the original crew’s big three—a real salty dog of a doctor, begrudgingly dealing with all the space shenanigans because someone has to keep Kirk and his crew alive. DeForest Kelley nailed the role with his iconic grump and magnificent beard back in the day, while Karl Urban brought his own flair in the recent movies. Now, comes Thomas Jane, who seems perfectly equipped to carry on this zaniness. With credits ranging from battling super-intelligent sharks in Deep Blue Sea to his chilling role in The Mist, Jane’s got some serious drama chops!

The Fresh Face of Sulu

On the flip side, we have the young and vibrant Kai Murakami taking over Sulu’s starry helm from legends like George Takei and John Cho. This guy is making waves—literally—through his work in video games and has even graced the Royal Shakespeare Company stage! We’re here for his fresh vibes as he lights up the role of future captain of the USS Excelsior. Oh, the potential!

But Wait, There’s More?

While it’s super exciting to hear about McCoy and Sulu making their appearances, we can’t shake the feeling that it’s a bit peculiar to announce them for a finale, right? Is Paramount+ hinting at a new prequel series focusing on Kirk’s early days on the Enterprise? After the not-so-happy feedback for the third season of Strange New Worlds, fans might be wishing for something fresh instead of repetitive backstories.

Fingers Crossed for More Adventures!

However, let’s not forget the absolute gem of an episode called “The Sehlat Who Ate Its Tail,” which truly embodied that TOS spirit with Kirk leading Spock, Scotty, Uhura, and Chapel into crazy adventures. If the producers can whip up more magic like that, we might just get hooked on the idea of more prequels featuring our new favorites, Bones and Sulu aboard the Enterprise.

Get Ready!

Mark your calendars, folks! Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 4 is hitting Paramount+ in 2026, and we’re here for every intergalactic moment!