This past weekend brought the news we’d all been waiting for – industry legend Patrick Stewart is all set to reprise as Jean-Luc Picard for the first time since 2002, when The Next Generation was nearing its end.
But a new era of Star Trek awaits, and Stewart’s on-screen hero has been thrust into the center of a new story from Alex Kurtzman, co-creator/executive producer of the ongoing Discovery series at CBS. Little is known about what Kurtzman and Co. have planned for Picard’s next steps, but one thing’s for sure: the mere fact that Patrick Stewart is involved will be enough to draw the crowds as CBS’ latest Star Trek property begins to fall into place.
Amid all the excitement, fellow series veteran William Shatner (AKA the original James T. Kirk) took to Twitter to congratulate Stewart on the announcement. The Star Trek duo initially shared the screen for Generations back in ’94, and Shatner, for one, will be tuning in to Jean-Luc Picard’s next adventure when it’s ready to take flight.
Via Twitter:
It’s wonderful news! Congratulations my friend! https://t.co/cSzp8npEjg
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) August 5, 2018
For Patrick Stewart, this new series offers an opportunity to delve deep into Picard’s life, after it was revealed that the project takes place a full 25 years after Nemesis, in a world where Jean-Luc Picard is no longer a Starfleet captain. That’s a dizzying thought in and of itself, but Stewart is ready and willing for the challenges yet to come.
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.
We’ll be keeping one ear to the ground as Patrick Stewart’s second coming inches ever closer. For now, though, you can leave your own thoughts and predictions about the future of Star Trek below.
