Star Trek: Everything We Know About Picard So Far

Captain Jean-Luc Picard will make his triumphant return to television in CBS All Access' newest Star Trek project, Star Trek: Picard. Patrick Stewart will be reprising his beloved role from Star Trek: The Next Generation, marking a return to the franchise's roots after years of prequels and reboots.

Many of the details are still being kept under wraps, but the facts we already know hint at exciting developments and a departure from the formula the franchise has been working with since the decline of Star Trek's heyday. These are all of the facts we know about Star Trek: Picard so far.

10 Star Trek: Picard Will Follow Picard's Life After Starfleet

When Star Trek: Picard picks up the story, Picard is no longer a Starfleet captain. Though the exact details of the plot are scarce, a CBS spokesperson commented, "The only thing we can confirm is the series will explore the next chapter of Picard’s life..." Picard creator Alex Kurtzman added that Picard's life will be very different from what fans know due to the destruction of Romulus first glimpsed in the future in J.J. Abrams' prequels. Kurtzman observed, "Picard's life was radically altered by the dissolution of the Romulan Empire."

Jonathan Frakes, who played Captain Picard's first officer William Riker inThe Next Generation, shared similar details: "Patrick isn’t playing Capt. Jean-Luc Picard this time, he’s done with [that phase of his career in] Starfleet in this show."

9 Patrick Stewart Pushed For The Show To Be New And Different

Given his star status, especially within Star Trek, Patrick Stewart was able to have a guiding hand in the creation of the series. Writer Michael Chabon discussed Stewart's influence on the show, stating that Stewart wanted to see Picard in adventures and situations unlike anything fans have seen before.

Creator Alex Kurtzman explained, "[Stewart] threw down an amazing gauntlet and said, 'If we do this, I want it to be so different, I want it to be both what people remember but also not what they're expecting at all, otherwise, why do it?'" Kurtzman and his collaborators ended up pitching Stewart their idea in a 34-page document which was evidently new and different enough to win over the veteran actor.

8 Picard Will Be Surrounded By New Characters

Although it's possible more familiar faces will show up in Star Trek: Picard, new faces have been cast to surround the older, post-Starfleet Picard. Alison Pill, Harry Treadaway, and Isa Briones have been confirmed as members of the new cast, in addition to Santiago Cabrera and Michelle Hurd. No details have been revealed about the characters these actors will be playing.

However, early unconfirmed hints about the cast of characters indicate Picard will be surrounded by an unusual variety of allies. A purported list of character breakdowns released by That Hashtag Show revealed seven other characters, including a new version of the Emergency Medical Hologram, a teenage Romulan, an expert on positronic brains, and two pilots with shady histories.

7 Star Trek: Picard Will Be A Psychological And Meditative Show

Star Trek: Picard will be leaning into the more philosophical bent of The Next Generation, fitting the tone of Picard's highly introspective character. Alex Kurtzman remarked, "The mandate was to make it a more psychological show, a character study about this man in his emeritus years. There are so few shows that allow a significantly older protagonist to be the driver... It’ll be very different than ‘Discovery.’ It’ll be slower, more meditative."

Given the increasingly action-driven shows and movies that followed The Next Generation, Picard's meditative style may help TNG fans feel right at home as Patrick Stewart picks up where he left off.

6 Jonathan Frakes Is Joining The Crew To Direct

It's still uncertain whether William Riker or the rest of Picard's crew will appear in the new show, but Jonathan Frakes will be working with Patrick Stewart behind the scenes as he directs episodes of Picard. In the years since his role on The Next Generation, Frakes has become a highly acclaimed director, and he has directed two Star Trek movies and numerous Star Trek episodes over several series.

Frakes explained, "I’ve been booked for what they call the 'second block,' which is episodes 3 and 4... I think the fans are going to be thrilled and excited and surprised. I have had the privilege of reading the first couple of episodes and I have spent some time with Patrick who is so engaged... It’s wonderful. It’s smart. I’m excited about it."

5 A Female Director Will Helm The Pilot For The First Time In Star Trek History

Jonathan Frakes' return is not the only exciting directorial news. Star Trek: Discovery director Hanelle Culpepper will direct the first two episodes of Picard, marking the first time a female director has helmed the pilot or debut of a Star Trek series. Alex Kurtzman commented on Culpepper, "Hanelle is a gifted and dynamic filmmaker whose directorial choices are always deeply rooted in character. I’ve been a huge fan of her work since she started with us on Discovery, and she’s the perfect person to re-introduce the beloved character of Picard to longtime fans and new viewers alike. We’re thrilled she’s joining our Trek family on this next adventure."

4 It Does Not Connect To Discovery

While Star Trek: Picard will be airing on the same streaming service as Star Trek: Discovery, the two series will not connect. David Stapf, president of CBS TV Studios, confirmed that Picard will not tie into the prequel series, explaining that the new series will be separate from the ongoing events of Discovery.

Given that the two series will be set generations apart in time, Picard will likely have no reason to be affected by the developments unfolding in seasons of Discovery airing alongside the new series. Fans can expect to see Star Trek: Picard focus exclusively on building the events of the timeline since Captain Picard's last appearance in the final Next Generation movie, Nemesis.

3 Star Trek: Picard Will Premiere In Late 2019

Picard will be returning to television later this year, as the premiere date is currently set for late 2019. Pre-production started last fall when Patrick Stewart's return was officially announced. Filming finally began in April, as writer Michael Chabon indicated in an Instagram post. Star Trek fans anxiously awaiting the return of Captain Picard will not have to wait long. CBS executive David Nevins explained, "In 2019, it’s not one ‘Star Trek,’ it’s two ‘Star Treks.’ Discovery at the beginning of the year, and Picard will start at the end of the year."

2 CBS Is Planning Multiple Seasons

Though Star Trek: Picard is yet to premiere, CBS is already planning multiple seasons on their streaming service. It comes as no surprise that the network wouldn't want to squander the opportunity to work with Patrick Stewart on a long-term basis. The ongoing presence of Picard in their lineup is part of an effort to keep Star Trek showed airing year-round.

The CBS TV Studios president explained, "My goal is that there should be a Star Trek something on all the time on All Access. We know it draws an audience, and Discovery has done quite well."

1 Picard Is One Of Several New Star Trek Series In The Works

Aside from Picard, there are several other Star Trek shows in the works to fill the year-round schedule on CBS All Access. Michelle Yeoh's Philippa Georgiou will be the center of a Discovery spin-off about Section 31, Starfleet's secret black ops division. A Starfleet Academy series is also in the works, taking fans into the rarely-seen training years of Starfleet's cadets. In addition, the animated series Star Trek: Lower Decks will delve into the world of a starship's lower deck crew, a project helmed by former Rick & Morty writer Mike McMahan.

Other Star Trek projects in the works include an animated kid's show in development with Nickelodeon as well as shorts involving characters from Star Trek: Discovery.

Source: screenrant.com