Obviously, they made it so.
Deadline and Variety are reporting that Sir Patrick Stewart will reprise his Star Trek: The Next Generation character Captain Jean-Luc Picard in a new Star Trek series for the CBS All Access streaming service. The project has been rumored since June, but was confirmed by Stewart himself in a surprise appearance at the Las Vegas Star Trek Convention.
The new series, which will not be a reboot of Star Trek: Next Generation, will reportedly tell the story of the next chapter of Picard’s life. This will be the third Star Trek series to be officially announced for CBS All Access, joining Star Trek: Discovery, which is heading into its second season, and the upcoming Star Trek: Short Treks four-part limited series.
It will be overseen by Star Trek: Discovery co-creator/executive producer Alex Kurtzman, who was tasked with overseeing development of new Star Trek content under an overall deal with CBS TV Studios. Kurtzman will be joined by James Duff, who recently joined Star Trek: Discovery as executive producer and signed a CBS Studios overall deal, former Discovery executive producer Akiva Goldsman, Michael Chabon, and Discovery writer Kirsten Beyer. Kurtzman, Duff, Goldsman, and Chabon will also serve as executive producers on the series along with Stewart, Trevor Roth, Heather Kadin, and Rod Roddenberry.
"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," said Stewart. "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," continued Stewart, "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," said Kurtzman, "it’s a privilege to welcome Sir Patrick Stewart back to the Star Trek fold. For over twenty 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."
As Captain of the USS Enterprise-D and Enterprise-E, Jean-Luc Picard first appeared in the 1987 Star Trek: Next Generation pilot episode "Encounter at Farpoint" and remained with the series for its entire seven-season run. Stewart also portrayed Picard in the movies Star Trek Generations (1994), Star Trek: First Contact (1996), Star Trek: Insurrection (1998) and Star Trek: Nemesis (2002), along with Star Trek: Deep Space Nine‘s 1993 pilot episode, "Emissary."