The most venerable captain in Star Fleet history is back. As has been rumoured for a while, CBS announced today that Sir Patrick Stewart, who played Captain Jean Luc-Picard on Star Trek: The Next Generation, will be reprising his role in a new series that will explore “the new chapter in Picard’s life”.
The series will be coming to CBS All Access, though not many more details about it are known at this time.
Make it so! @SirPatStew will be returning to his iconic role as Jean-Luc Picard in a new @cbsallaccess #StarTrek series that tells the story of the next chapter in Picard’s life‼️ pic.twitter.com/T5qQJ4gzU0
— Star Trek: Discovery (@startrekcbs) August 4, 2018
In a statement on Twitter, Stewart said he was “excited and invigorated” to return to the role that was instrumental in making him a household name. The show will feature Alex Kurtzman leading a creative team that will also include James Duff (The Closer), Akiva Goldsman (Star Trek: Discovery), Michael Chabon (John Carter and a bunch of books) and Kirsten Beyer (Discovery), according to the Hollywood Reporter.
It is an unexpected but delightful surprise to find myself excited and invigorated to be returning to Jean-Luc Picard and to explore new dimensions within him. Read my full statement in the photo. #StarTrek @cbsallaccess Photo: @shervinfoto pic.twitter.com/8Ynuj3RBNm
— Patrick Stewart (@SirPatStew) August 4, 2018
At the live panel for the announcement at Star Trek Las Vegas, Stewart was also quoted as saying that “it may not be the Jean-Luc you know and love”, citing experience and time as changing factors in the development of the character.
“It may not be the Jean Luc you know and love. He may be a man who has been changed by his experiences…it will be, I promise you, something different….but it will come with the same love for the universe and our fans we had before.” –@SirPatStew
— Star Trek Online (@trekonlinegame) August 4, 2018
No word on when the show will air, but when it does, it will be the first new live-action material set in this part of the Star Trek universe since the last The Next Generation movie in 2002. Also, according to the panel discussion, no scripts have been written as of yet, though the series is planned to take place 20 years after the events of Star Trek: Nemesis.
#STLV Stewart says he may not be the captain anymore. He may be a very different individual. Setting is 20 years past Nemesis. There are no scripts yet. It will be something very, very different. It will be made with love for the material and the fans.
— TrekMovie.com @ STLV (@TrekMovie) August 4, 2018
“With overwhelming joy, it’s a privilege to welcome Sir Patrick Stewart back to the Star Trek fold. For over 20 years, fans have hoped for the return of Captain Jean-Luc Picard and that day is finally here. We can’t wait to forge new ground, surprise people and honour generations both new and old”, said Alex Kurtzman, in a statement.
Make it so, captain. Make it so.