Patrick Stewart Thinks Picard Might 'Shock' Star Trek Fans

Picard Star Trek: Picard CBS All Access

Next year is set to be a big one for many Star Trek fans, who will get an all new adventure with one of the franchise's most beloved characters. Patrick Stewart is back in the saddle as Jean-Luc Picard and he's bringing quite a bunch of former co-stars along for the ride as well. Star Trek: Picard may seem like a stroll down memory lane to some, but Patrick Stewart recently assured us it's more than that.

In fact, the actor recently revealed that his latest series may be shocking to fans of the franchise. Stewart revealed that those who think Star Trek: Picard is just a continuation of the first series we saw him on are in for quite a surprise.

We are looking at a new world with new objectives, problems and issues that could not have been raised when we were making The Next Generation and I found that very exciting. It’s very exciting and people will be surprised and perhaps even shocked.

If that news is surprising at this point, it really shouldn't be. Star Trek: Picard will have shades of Star Trek: The Next Generation, but it's been described as a hybrid between the classic series and Star Trek: Discovery. A lot has happened in the Star Trek universe since fans last saw Picard; it would be silly to assume he's unaffected by the events of Star Trek: Nemesis or Commander Data's sacrifice.

Additionally, Patrick Stewart told Examiner Live he wouldn't have taken the role in Star Trek: Picard if it wasn’t going to be progressive towards the character. In fact, he turned down returning a couple of times before Alex Kurtzman and crew were able to convince him that this would be a meaningful sequel. Now Stewart’s on board, and he agrees that this series is a lot more than a look back.

I don’t regard it as going back. In fact, we are definitely moving the series forward and that’s what made the difference for me.

Star Trek: Picard is taking a bold risk, especially when it comes to the older crowd of its fanbase. Though it has won over a few skeptics, there’s a solid number of Trekkies that are upset with the choices the franchise made with Star Trek: Discovery. Backlash and a loss of that Classic Trek feel drove some audiences elsewhere, and may have some feeling antsy when hearing Star Trek: Picard may have shades of it in its framework. Will a love for Picard win more folks over, or will this new show be another controversial entry in the rapidly growing franchise?

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Star Trek: Picard is headed to CBS All Access in 2020. Stick with CinemaBlend for more details on that show, in the meantime, and for more happening in the world of television and movies.

Mick Joest
Content Producer

Mick Joest is a Content Producer for CinemaBlend with his hand in an eclectic mix of television goodness. Star Trek is his main jam, but he also regularly reports on happenings in the world of Star Trek, WWE, Doctor Who, 90 Day Fiancé, Quantum Leap, and Big Brother. He graduated from the University of Southern Indiana with a degree in Journalism and a minor in Radio and Television. He's great at hosting panels and appearing on podcasts if given the chance as well.