J. J. Abrams did a great job recasting the original Star Trek characters for his 2009 reboot, but there are other actors who would be the best choice for a recasting of Star Trek: The Original Series in 2022. Star Trek is a prolific franchise that constantly strives to explore bold ideas and to exist in new media formats and various platforms for television and film as it attracts new generations of fans. Many of the actors listed below are closer in age to the original series Star Trek characters than the 2009 movie depicted them to be, and they would make for a refreshing take on the source material.
Star Trek: The Original Series aired in September 1966 and resulted in low ratings and cancellation after three seasons. The show that at the time seemed forgettable to several networks became a worldwide phenomenon and a property that extends beyond the basic definition of a cult classic. After becoming a massive hit in broadcast syndication, TOS inspired many movies and spinoff shows, such as Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. The franchise has fluctuated in its success with some shows doing critically better than others, yet the brand of Star Trek has become a household name.
Given that there will be a fourth installment of the Kelvin Timeline Star Trek reboot saga starring Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, and Zoe Saldana, it is unlikely Paramount will be rebooting the original series characters again anytime soon. That being said, it only took about three years for Marvel to reboot Spiderman following Andrew Garfield's The Amazing Spider-Man 2. Recasting the integral characters of the original Star Trek series again could appeal to a younger audience by choosing actors from relevant and modern shows. There is also room for discussing a rebooted version of Nurse Chapel or Janice Rand since neither of them appears in the Kelvin Timeline. Here is a 2022 recasting of the main characters in Star Trek: The Original Series.
Jack Quaid as Captain James T. Kirk
The first central captain of Star Trek, James T. Kirk, became known for his boyish charm and ambitious commitment to his role as leader and explorer. The character over time has become famous for being a womanizer, which is not altogether true in the series, but he always places his assignment and job first. William Shatner, who originated the role, brought more to it than mere flirtation by acting through various infamous speeches with an earnestness difficult to capture for most actors. Jack Quaid, who has shown off his acting chops in Scream 2022 and as Hughie in The Boys, could pull off not only the seriousness of Kirk that is necessary for the character to operate but also the requisite youthful charm. At the time Kirk becomes Captain in TOS, he is the youngest person to ever take on the job. Whereas Chris Pine's reboot Kirk leans more into the womanizer characterization, Quaid could resemble Shatner's depiction of him without the high drama that has led people to not take Shatner's Kirk seriously.
Booboo Stewart as Spock
Spock is an incredibly complex character who experiences constant internal dissonance because he's half-human and half-Vulcan. The split genetics often leave him emotionally torn. He wants to work in the human world while also holding his Vulcan heritage close to his chest. Original Spock actor Leonard Nimoy unfailingly managed to portray this tragic dichotomy to an extremely talented degree. The reboot's Zachary Quinto has proven he is also capable of exaggeratedly dramatic roles, such as Bloody Face in American Horror Story, so it is feasible Booboo Stewart can pull off the necessary traits as well. While best known for Disney's Descendants franchise, Stewart has taken on more serious roles in films, including Those Who Walk Away or Let Him Go. He is an accomplished actor who may bring a refreshing youth to Spock and escape being typecast in Disney Channel films. It would be a good opportunity to show he can be delicately stoic and charismatic in a quiet, unemotional way.
Ryan Kwanten as Dr. Leonard "Bones" McCoy
Dr. Leonard "Bones" McCoy is most remembered for his gruff but lovable personality. He cares very deeply for his patients and friends, which is invariably the perfect foil to his friend Spock, who is stoic and emotionless in nature. As the original Bones, DeForest Kelly acted with a ginger touch of dry sarcasm and deadpan wit that bounces off Leonard Nimoy's own emotionless sarcasm seamlessly. When searching for a McCoy, the most important trait to look for is the ability to be light-hearted while at the same time having the ability to be devastatingly snappy with insults. Ryan Kwanten, star of Dead Silence and True Blood, has shown an ability to take on any persona in varying genres. Though he's mostly known for horror, the stern attitude he is able to portray contains a softness that Kelly also possessed. Kwanten is also old enough to have an older child and to have gone through a bitter divorce, which McCoy experiences in TOS. The fatherly bond he has with Kirk could also be exemplified by casting Kwanten in this role.
Paul Bettany as Montgomery "Scotty" Scott
Scotty is an outspoken yet gentle soul who is devoted entirely to his work and the maintenance of the Starship Enterprise. His love for the ship and its machinery comes across as odd sometimes in its intensity, but Scotty never stops being a delightful friend and crewmate who is chipper at every turn. In TOS, James Doohan was able to keep Scotty acting as the light in every dark scenario. Even then, he made it obvious Scotty is feeling the pressure of a mission just as brutally as any other crew member. Paul Bettany comes to mind as a perfect choice for Scotty because of his role as Vision in the MCU. He has shown in WandaVision and the Marvel movies that he can play an abstracted yet beguiling individual. With his experienced talent, he can also likely bring the frazzled excitement of Scotty's character to full fruition.
Lupita Nyong'o as Nyota Uhura
Nichelle Nichols brought Uhura to life onscreen in a glowing, talented, and mesmerizing way. Through various talents of her own, such as singing, Nichols developed Uhura from a communications officer into a dynamic woman strong enough to make a vivid mark in the 1960s and has lasted into the 21st century. Uhura is never fragile as a character, but she is greatly compassionate. Nichols was able to balance Uhura's competence at her job with the way her romanticism occasionally influences her. Lupita Nyong'o is an acclaimed actress who has starred in dramatically different genres, and she fits each of her roles flawlessly. She could capture Uhura's whimsy and also expand upon her opinionated persona, which never gets to fully shine. Nyong'o, while having proven her ability to frighten audiences in Jordan Peele's Us, also has a convivial vibe Uhura harbors in TOS.
Jodie Comer as Pavel Chekov
Anton Yelchin did a superb job portraying the naivety and harmless ego of Ensign Pavel Chekov in the Kelvin Timeline Star Trek movies. The sole requirement of casting a Chekov is to prioritize youthful zeal and an ability to balance egotism with charm. While Walter Koenig may have gone over-the-top with his Russian accent in TOS, he successfully got across the character's personal devotion to his home country and the commitment he's made to being the best he can possibly be at his work. Jodie Comer has proven she excels in making a morally questionable character lovable and would be able to balance Chekov's braggart nature with her own endearing likability. It would be refreshing to include another female in the main cast as well, not to mention that Comer has had experience with Russian accents ever since her role as Villanelle in the TV series Killing Eve.
Jake Choi as Hikaru Sulu
Hikaru Sulu is unfortunately never given much to do in TOS, but George Takei brought an eccentric glee to his character that has made him just as memorable as the others in the original cast. In the Kelvin Timeline movies, John Cho accentuates Sulu's athletic abilities as well as his intellectual strengths when it comes to piloting the ship. While he doesn't receive a lot of screen time, Sulu maintains singularities that could be correctly translated by Jake Choi. Sulu fluctuates between whimsical moods and a stern focus. His unique interest in plants never takes away from his efficiency at his job, but there is always an underlying sense that Sulu is more of a romantic than he lets on. This is validated in Star Trek Beyond when John Cho skillfully depicts his desperation to see his family again. Jake Choi could return the childlike glee to Sulu's character while retaining the air of romance that makes Sulu more than just an experienced officer. It would also be beneficial for an LGBTQ+ actor to play Sulu, who is shown to be gay in the Kelvin Timeline movies, especially if there are plans to delve deeper into his love life.
Hunter Schafer as Christine Chapel
Christine Chapel is a fundamental character from TOS who works alongside Dr. McCoy and helps save lives every day. She is given depth in the form of her attraction toward Spock and her solemn yearning for her long-lost husband. She harbors sweet naivety, which never overshadows her intelligence but instead serves to show she is a romantic at heart. Unfortunately, Chapel did not make an appearance in J.J. Abrams's Star Trek movies. If there were to be a 2022 recast, it would be necessary to bring her back, as she softens McCoy's brash presence. Hunter Schafer, who has accumulated fame from the popular HBO show Euphoria, could be wonderful for the role of Chapel, as she can exude a gentle aura while also showing the capability of raising her voice when she carries an opinion she knows needs to be heard. In playing Jules on Euphoria, Schafer has shown a talent for depicting a convincing obsession with romanticism and attraction, which could emulate Chapel the most. She could also bring something new to the role by giving Chapel more agency than she's had before by giving her a chance to voice more aspirations in her workplace.
Alia Shawkat as Janice Rand
Janice Rand is a Starfleet officer who appears only in season 1 of TOS, yet she plays an integral role for both Kirk and the Enterprise. Grace Lee Whitney depicted Rand as a blunt yet generous individual who cares immensely for her friends and fellow crewmates and doesn't take to being degraded or disrespected. She is a powerful female character of the 1960s, and the self-respect she bears can be translated over into the modern day to reflect how women have been empowered in the 21st century. Alia Shawkat of Arrested Development fame has been in many projects that contain progressive themes or elements woven throughout, such as Being The Ricardos. Not only could Shawkat emulate the fierce loyalty of Rand to both herself and her crew, but also add modernized humor to her character. She could also manage to uphold a platonic connection with Kirk that Roddenberry felt couldn't hold up in TOS, which is why Whitney left the show.
With new stories and characters being released all the time in Star Trek, it remains unforeseen if there will be a recast for TOS. The characters made their memorable mark in the 1960s and are successfully emulated in Abrams's first reboot film and beyond. This comprehensive list of actors for a 2022 recasting of Star Trek: The Original Series is worth considering even while there is no sign that there will be another reboot anytime soon.