Patrick Stewart is set to reprise his role as Jean-Luc Picard for the new Star Trek series being developed for CBS All Access. This news had been rumoured for months, and is the latest big-name reboot being developed by a network who are hoping to draw viewers back. In this case, the show will be one of the first produced for CBS’ on-demand platform.
THR confirms that the series is not a reboot of The Next Generation – the series that saw Stewart captain the Enterprise for seven seasons and more than 170 episodes – but is instead an original story following a new chapter in the character’s life.
Alex Kurtzman, who also serves as showrunner for another All Access show, Star Trek: Discovery, and whose recent overall deal with CBS included orders to expand the beloved franchise, will help craft the series and helped announce it at the Star Trek: Las Vegas convention over the weekend:
“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 honour generations both new and old”.
The series does not yet have a title or release date, but we do know, that alongside Kurtzman, the creative team will consist of James Duff, Akiva Goldsman, Michael Chabon, and Kirsten Beyer, while Stewart himself will be one of the many executive producers. The legendary actor made a surprise appearance at the convention and added:
“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”.
Further details are currently being kept under wraps, but it’s certainly an exciting time to be a Star Trek fan.
#Peace.Love.StarTrek
