Make it so! It’s been more than 24 years since the last episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation and nearly 16 years since the last Next Generation movie was released (Star Trek: Nemesis). It looked like the latter would be the final appearance of Sir Patrick Stewart’s Captain Jean-Luc Picard character. That all changed today.
Appearing at Star Trek convention in Las Vegas, Stewart told fans that he would be reprising his role as Picard in a new (and as yet, unnamed) Star Trek TV series for the CBS All Access streaming service. As of now, the series will follow Picard’s life 20 years after the events of the Nemesis feature film. While there’s been no talk of any of Stewart’s Next Generation comrades making appearances, it seems very likely that at least some of them will appear in the series at some point.
Here’s the press release and video:
SIR PATRICK STEWART SURPRISES FANS AND ANNOUNCES RETURN TO HIS ICONIC ROLE AS “JEAN-LUC PICARD” WITH A NEW “STAR TREK” SERIES COMING TO CBS ALL ACCESS
Executive Producer Alex Kurtzman and Sir Patrick Stewart surprised fans today at the Star Trek Las Vegas convention with the news that he will be returning to the iconic role of “Jean-Luc Picard” for a new “Star Trek” series coming to CBS All Access. The new series will follow the next chapter of Picard’s life.
Quote from Executive Producer Alex Kurtzman: “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 honor generations both new and old.”
Quote from Patrick Stewart: “I will always be very proud to have been a 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 but 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 for him, when I thought that life was over. During these past years, it has been humbling to hear many 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.”
ABOUT CBS ALL ACCESS
CBS All Access is CBS’ digital subscription video on-demand and live streaming service. In addition to its original series, which include STAR TREK: DISCOVERY, THE GOOD FIGHT, STRANGE ANGEL and NO ACTIVITY, CBS All Access gives CBS fans the ability to watch more than 10,000 episodes on demand – spanning current shows from primetime, daytime and late night, as well as past seasons of select series and classic TV hits – and stream their local CBS station live. CBS All Access is currently available online at CBS.com, on mobile devices via the CBS App for iOS, Android and Windows 10, and on Roku Players, Apple TV, Chromecast, Android TV, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Fire TV, Samsung Smart TVs and Amazon Channels. For more details on CBS All Access, please visit: https://www.cbs.com/all-access/.
Here’s the “official” video from CBS:
And, a longer version:
What do you think? Are you a fan of Star Trek: The Next Generation TV show? Do you plan to check out this sequel series?
Excellent can’t wait!!
I have ALWAYS loved ALL the Star Trek adventures. The actors were fabulous. Looking forward to see more series.
Remember what Patrick said in his speech.
It will be the character but not as you know it, so could be the antithesis of what we know.
Exciting none the less though.
I thought ST:TNG was the best of the batch, ST:Enterprise being second, but I won’t pay CBS to watch it, no matter how much I liked Patrick Stewart in his role of Jean -Luc. I’ve enough other streaming services who offer a much broader selection.
In a time when so much of life brings worry for our future and the future of our children, the news that Jean Luc Piccard will be there is the perfect anodyne for our worry! I can’t imagine a better role model (or, at better actor in all of the Star Trek Universe). Bring it on, soon-“tea, Earl Grey, *hot*”; a most comforting potion!!
Unnamed Star Trek TV series? Why don’t they just bring Star Trek: The Next Generation back for a eighth season? Picard might be an Admiral and I hope the Enterprise-E is still around. I hope to see the rest of the cast members from The Next Generation in season eight. I’d to see Captain William Riker and his ship, the USS Titan being included in this sequel series.
That would mean having to bring back the cast which they likely can’t pull up. I am excited for this sequel of sorts with the focus being on Jean Luc.