Paramount has confirmed a new casting update for Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 5, revealing that Thomas Jane will play Dr. Leonard “Bones” McCoy and Kai Murakami will portray Lieutenant Hikaru Sulu in the series’ final season.
Interestingly, both actors will only join Strange New Worlds for the season 5 finale (the show’s final episode, which was shot over the past weekend in Toronto). While it’s a bit odd that Paramount decided to reveal what appear to be elaborate cameo appearances so far ahead of that episode’s air date, it does make sense that these two characters will join the show as Star Trek: Strange New Worlds inches closer to The Original Series timeline. Beyond that, little is known about their appearances at this time.
You likely know Thomas Jane from his work in films like Boogie Nights, The Mist, Deep Blue Sea, and the HBO comedy series Hung. He is, at least in this writer’s opinion, always a welcome presence in whatever he is in. As for Dr. Leonard ‘Bones’ McCoy, he was first played by actor DeForest Kelley in the Original Series show and movies and later by Karl Urban in the JJ Abrams’ rebooted film universe. He’s Kirk’s best (human) friend, a lovable grump, and a damn good doctor (though don’t assume he’s qualified for other professions). Granted, Jane is perhaps a bit older than what the part strictly calls for, but there’s no good reason to let trivial things such as time get in the way of what is honestly some pretty perfect Dr. McCoy casting.
Kai Murakami is a bit of an unknown. He’s actually more of a theater actor whose credits include various performances in London and Japan. Some of you may actually know him best (relatively speaking) from the motion capture work he’s done for games like Assassin’s Creed Shadows. He also performed as a Kazego (special puppeteer performers) in the Royal Shakespeare Company production of My Neighbour Totoro, which you can actually read a little more about in this fascinating interview with the show’s costume designer. It’s interesting to see them go with a lesser-known performer for the Sulu role following some memorable portrayals of the character from actors like George Takei and John Cho, though perhaps Murakami’s physicality tells us something about the nature of Sulu’s casting and the character’s eventual Strange New Worlds appearance.
Sadly, you’re going to have to wait quite a while to see either performer in Strange New Worlds. As previously reported, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 5 isn’t expected to premiere until late 2026 or early 2027.
