The Star Trek Audition of Ed Speleers: From Nearly Kirk to Jack Crusher from Picard
Renowned for his riveting portrayal of Jack Crusher in Star Trek: Picard season 3, Ed Speleers recently disclosed that he also went for a casting in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. But his dreams of performing the venerable James T. Kirk were crushed upon his lack of a callback. Speleers didn't mention the part he tried for specifically, but his timing suggests he was fighting for the younger Kirk, which finally went to Paul Wesley from The Vampire Diaries.
Given his great performance in Picard, Speleers' disappointment is reasonable. On The D-Con Chamber podcast, the actor discussed how he felt he "did quite a good tape" and was "pretty pissed off" when he didn't get the part. He never got any comments, so he had unresolved questions even though he knew the audition probably was for the young Kirk role.
Ed Speleers as Kirk: A Casting 'What If'
One wonders naturally how Speleers would have performed as Kirk. Unquestionably talented, Speleers has a certain appeal that would have fit the position. Especially some supporters noted that Speleers more closely resembles a young William Shatner than Paul Wesley does. He also would have been able to convincingly present Kirk as an American by losing his British accent.
In the end, Paul Wesley caught something unique and the Star Trek: Strange New Worlds creators thought he would be the ideal fit for the younger Kirk. Wesley most certainly embodied the core of the legendary captain with his boyish appeal and ability to portray both recklessness and intelligence. Still, Speleers as Kirk presents an interesting "what-if" situation that fuels debates among fans about other casting choices.
Picard against Star Trek: Strange New Worlds: Different Roles, Different Outcomes
Although Speleers would have been let down to lose the Kirk part, his trip with Star Trek followed a different, but finally rewarding path. Jack Crusher was cast in Star Trek: Picard season 3, a performance that proved to be rather important for the success of the show. Jack Crusher is a major character with more of a part in Picard; Kirk appears often in Strange New Worlds.
Though the roles differ, the casting choices for both shows seem to have paid off since Wesley and Speleers give outstanding performances. While Wesley is confirmed to be returning for the third season of Strange New Worlds, Speleers' potential reprising of Jack Crusher in a possible Star Trek: Legacy series remains open.
The Legacy of Kirk: A Part Demanding a Strong Presence
Unquestionably, James T. Kirk plays a most famous role in science fiction history. On film, just a small number of performers have had the privilege of playing him. Generations of supporters have fallen in love with the charismatic, intelligent, and leadership-oriented character, thus it is a difficult job to occupy. Wesley and Speleers have shown their acting ability, so proving their ability to assume demanding roles.
Examining the Casting Dynamics Outside the Audition
The audition for Star Trek: Strange New Worlds by Ed Speleers reminds one of the erratic character of the casting process. Even if an actor might feel they nailed an audition, final casting choices are influenced by several elements. Perfect fit for a role can be determined in part by creative vision, chemistry with other actors, and even timing.
Based on the producers' vision for Strange New Worlds, Paul Wesley's casting as Kirk was ultimately a strategic one. Although we can hypothesize about what might have been had Speleers landed the part, the result emphasizes the need of believing the creative decisions taken by people behind the scenes.
