Engines at full, Patrick Stewart is returning to the role that made him an international superstar on Star Trek.
After months of speculation, Stewart confirmed through his Twitter account that he is indeed making it so and reprising his role as Captain Jean-Luc Picard. The official Star Trek Twitter account confirmed the return of Captain Jean-Luc Picard will take place in a new series on CBS All-Access, with the project following the next chapter in Picard’s life.
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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
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
Stewart’s full statement regarding his return as Picard reads below:
I will always be very proud to have been part of Star Trek: The Next Generation, but when we wrapped that final movie in the spring of 2002, I truly felt my time with Star Trek had run its natural course. It is, therefore, an unexpected and delightful surprise to find myself excited and invigorated to be returning to Jean-Luc Picard and to explore new dimensions within him. Seeking out new life from him when I thought that life was over.
During these past years, it has been humbling to hear stories about how The Next Generation brought people comfort, saw them through difficult periods in their lives or how the example of Jean-Luc inspired so many to follow in his footsteps, pursuing science, exploration and leadership. I feel I’m ready to return to him for the same reason – to research and experience what comforting and reforming light he might shine on these often very dark times. I look forward to working with our brilliant creative team as we endeavor to bring a fresh, unexpected and pertinent story to life once more.
Patrick
Stewart first portrayed Picard in the 1987 pilot episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation and would play the character across the series’ seven seasons including a guest appearance in the 1994 pilot of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. He would reprise the role for all The Next Generation theatrical films including 1994’s Star Trek: Generations, 1996’s Star Trek: First Contact, and 1998’s Star Trek: Insurrection, and 2002’s Star Trek: Nemesis.
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Captain on the bridge. Welcome back.