The rumored reboot of Star Trek: The Next Generation that was first hinted at in June has been confirmed as a brand-new Star Trek television series starring Sir Patrick Stewart, reprising his role as Captain Jean-Luc Picard. Instead of rebooting TNG, the series will take place 20 years after the events of Star Trek: Nemesis and will tell (according to a tweet from the official Star Trek account) “the story of the next chapter of Picard’s life.”
#REDAlert. The time has come to 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 #STLV #MakeItSo pic.twitter.com/gDaJBS0SVf
— Star Trek (@StarTrek) August 4, 2018
The announcement came from a number of sources, including Stewart himself, who crashed William Shatner’s panel at the Star Trek Las Vegas convention to share the exciting news. He also simultaneously released an official statement on Twitter:
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
Below, Stewart’s statement in full:
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.
“With overwhelming joy, it’s a privilege to welcome Sir Patrick Stewart back to the Star Trek fold,” Star Trek: Discovery co-creator/executive producer Alex Kurtzman said in the official announcement on Deadline. “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.”
Alongside Kurtzman on the as-yet-untitled Trek series are James Duff (EP on Discovery), Akiva Goldsman (former Discovery producer), author Michael Chabon (The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay), and Kirsten Beyer (Discovery writer). Overseeing everything are Stewart, Chabon, and Goldsman serving as executive producers, as well as Kurtzman, Duff, Heather Kadin (from Secret Hideout), Eugene “Rod” Roddenberry (son of Gene Roddenberry and Roddenberry Entertainment President), and Trevor Roth (Roddenberry Entertainment COO).
The series will debut on CBS All Access, along with the next season of Star Trek: Discovery and the four-part limited series Star Trek: Short Treks.
