Though Star Trek: Strange New Worlds follows Captain Christopher Pike's command of the Enterprise before Star Trek: The Original Series, James T. Kirk has appeared throughout the show on multiple occasions, played by Paul Wesley. After multiple alternate timeline versions, the prime timeline Kirk makes his debut in the second season's sixth episode, visiting the Enterprise just in time to help Nyota Uhura with a terrifying cosmic crisis. This is punctuated by the fateful first meeting between Kirk and Spock, forming the foundation of their legendary friendship.
Source：https://www.cbr.com/star-trek-strange-new-worlds-paul-wesley-interview/
