CBS Explains Where The Idea For Patrick Stewart’s Star Trek Return Came From

Captain Jean-Luc Picard and Star Trek are two things that practically go hand in hand, but we never thought we’d be lucky enough to have them in the same vicinity ever again.

Nevertheless, for the first time since 2002’s underwhelming Star Trek: Nemesis, Patrick Stewart’s Picard is making a comeback in what is arguably the best Trek news we’ve caught wind of since Quentin Tarantino began pursuing his own R-rated spin on the classic franchise.

Of course, such a thing was never a certainty, as the actor admitted the other week that he made a promise never to return to the series, perhaps in fear that his involvement would be misinterpreted as some glorified ego stroke – especially if it only involved a fleeting cameo. With Alex Kurtzman’s new drama though, that’s simply not the case, as Stewart will now be headlining his own show which will explore Picard’s next steps. But where did the idea for the project come from?

Well, according to CBS TV Studios president David Stapf, it all stemmed from the network wanting to do something Next Generation related, as he tells Deadline.

“It came to us, as do all things Trek now, through Alex Kurtzman, with the idea of, wouldn’t it be cool to do something Next Gen-oriented, and/or get Patrick Stewart and/or any of those iconic Next Gen characters,” Stapf said at the TCA press tour. “As Patrick himself has said, he was of the opinion that ‘I’ve done that character,’ but he got a meeting with Alex and some of the other guys and they won him over. The deal didn’t take that long once he decided to do it.

For Patrick Stewart, this new show will give him an opportunity to dive 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’s no longer a Starfleet captain. That’s an exciting thought in and of itself, and it seems Stewart’s 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,” he said. “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.”

The currently untitled Patrick Stewart Star Trek show is still without a release date or any real plot details to call its own at this early, early stage. But as the series begins to coalesce, we’ll be sure to bring you all the latest on it.