Sir Patrick Stewart will return to the role that endeared him to millions: Jean-Luc Picard. Following months of rumours, showrunner Alex Kurtzman (Star Trek: Discovery) has officially confirmed Stewart will return for a new STAR TREK series on CBS All Access.
“With overwhelming joy,” said Kurtzman in a statement, “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 honor generations both new and old.”
Stewart elaborated following a surprise appearance at a convention in Las Vegas. Stewart tweeted that it was 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
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
The creative team on the series will include James Duff, Akiva Goldsman, Michael Chabon and Kirsten Beyer.
This is the third Star Trek series on the boil at CBS All Access at the moment, sitting alongside Star Trek: Discovery (returning January 2019), and the series of Short Treks that will highlight.
Stewart was, of course, in Star Trek: The Next Generation from 1987 through to 1994, appearing in cameos of some of the spin-off series and the four feature films that followed. His last appearance on screen was Star Trek: Nemesis in 2002, largely derided as a disappointment to the canon.
Now please excuse us while we party like we’ve never partied before.
