Patrick Stewart Makes Official Return to the Trek Universe in ‘Star Trek: Picard’

Captain Jean-Luc Picard of Star Trek seems like he’s living and prospering longer than any of the original Trek characters. Back in June 2018, Patrick Stewart was nearing a deal that would allow him to reprise his roles as the famous USS Enterprise commander. Now, all systems are on a go for his return and his own series in Star Trek: Picard.

CBS announced the official title of the upcoming series as well as its title card during an upfront presentation Wednesday. Star Trek: Picard will pick up after the commander’s stint as the Enterprise’s captain and follow his exploits in the next chapter of his life. Details about the upcoming Star Trek show are scarce, but we do know that Alison Pill, Harry Treadaway, and Isa Briones are joining Stewart in the show.

Stewart’s return is another landmark feat for the network’s streaming service after the Sonequa Martin-Green-led Star Trek: Discovery went on to enjoy widespread critical and fan acclaim. Picard also follows the current slate of Star Trek projects under the CBS banner—Star Trek: Short Treks, Star Trek: Lower Decks, and an untitled Star Trek animated series for Nickelodeon. Hanelle Culpepper of Star Trek: Discovery will direct the first two episodes of Picard, making this the first Trek series that will have a woman direct the pilot episode.

A Different Captain and Timeline for ‘Star Trek: Picard’

Star Trek showrunner Alex Kurtzman recently spoke at this year’s TCA Press Tour and gave a bit of detail about Star Trek: Picard. “It’s been 20-plus years, so he couldn’t possibly be that same person anymore,” Kurtzman said (via TheWrap). “The question becomes: What has happened to him in that period of time? Have there been occurrences that force him to reckon with choices that he’s made in his life?” Kurtzman continued. “How do you hold on to being the person that everybody loved, when the circumstances around you may have changed so radically? Those are the big questions that we’re asking.”

As for its timeline, Star Trek: Picard will be the furthest future that the show has ever been. Star Trek: Discovery’s finale revealed that the current timeline is about 950 into the future. Picard, on the other hand, will be taking place in the turn of the 25th century. But Kurtzman emphasized that even though the show will travel farther into the future, they don’t want to get too caught up in its far-flung timeline. “No matter what choices we’re making about portraying the future, it has to feel grounded,” Kurtzman said. “The easy thing to do is come up with crazy floating skyscrapers and the clichés of science fiction. We’ve tried to avoid that across the board.”

No premiere date has been set for Star Trek: Picard, but it’s confirmed that it will hit CBS All Access by the end of 2019.