After Star Trek: Picard concludes, Patrick Stewart has been open about whether he will continue to play Jean-Luc Picard. Stewart has been enjoying the role since he first took it on in 1986, and he has continued to do so over the years. In Star Trek: Picard, which picks up 20 years after Star Trek: Nemesis and depicts the character having retired from Starfleet and adapted to a somewhat normal life following Data’s passing, Stewart readily agreed to participate. Picard is thrust back into action and must once more assume the role of a hero as he works to defend synthetic humans as much as he can.
The fate of Stewart’s performance as Picard has been questioned, though, as Star Trek: Picard will end after season 3. The 82-year-old Stewart has a simple opportunity to exit the franchise with a hero’s farewell as Star Trek prepares to usher in a new era and prepares to cast off the Next Generation cast. Stewart, however, made it clear that he isn’t quite ready to say goodbye to Star Trek during the Star Trek: Picard TCA presentation. See his quote below, courtesy of ComicBook.com:
“If we can maintain the work that we did on Seasons 1, 2 and 3 of Picard, then absolutely, yes. Because there is still enormous potential for narrative in what we’ve been doing, and there are doors left open, still. We didn’t close all of them.”
How Much Longer Will Patrick Stewart Play Picard?
How long Stewart plans to continue portraying Picard is unknown. It’s likely that he will stay with Star Trek for as long as he is able to given how long he has remained committed to the role. Picard will always have the chance to show up for cameos or other smaller roles given his significance to the franchise, even if Star Trek: Picard never gives him another leading role. The opportunity to wrap up Picard’s own story and save him for a few minor appearances for either generation of Starfleet crewmates next assumes their roles may present itself given that the story of The Next Era will likely end in Star Trek: Picard with the crew finally coming together.
Nevertheless, there’s always a possibility that Stewart will still have a significant impact on the franchise. Given that he has portrayed the compassionate mentor, Stewart could be a great advisor to younger generations, and in that capacity, Stewart could continue to work on Star Trek after Star Trek: Picard without being concerned about demanding stunts. Since Picard’s story can easily lay the groundwork for decades of Star Trek canon, the future of the franchise still rests with him, as it has for many years. If Stewart is not given the chance to continue playing Picard for as long as he would like, it would be unfortunate.
What We Know So Far About Star Trek: Picard Season 3
The third season of Star Trek: Picard, which will consist of 10 episodes, will premiere on Paramount+ on February 16. The cast of Star Trek: The Next Generation will come together for one final adventure during the season. In order to make room for the Next Generation characters, well-known Star Trek: Picard characters like Cristobal Rios (Santiago Cabrera), Agnes Jurati (Alison Pill), and Soji (Isa Briones) won’t be showing up in the season. By offering a satisfying conclusion for the Star Trek: Next Generation heroes and a temporary farewell to Stewart, Star Trek: Picard season 3 will attempt to correct the many flaws of Star Trek: Nemesis.
Source: Star Trek: Picard’s TCA presentation (via ComicBook.com)