Patrick Stewart Is “So Glad” He Reversed Course On Star Trek: Picard's Biggest Mistake

Patrick Stewart is "so glad" that he changed his mind about his former castmates from Star Trek: The Next Generation joining Star Trek: Picard.

One of Patrick Stewart's tenets when he agreed to reprise Admiral Jean-Luc Picard almost 20 years after last playing him in Star Trek: Nemesis was not to rehash Star Trek: The Next Generation. Stewart wanted to explore Jean-Luc at a later phase of his life, instead of being back in a Starfleet uniform as the Captain of the USS Enterprise. However, what Star Trek fans really wanted was to see TNG's iconic crew reunited, which Star Trek: Picard's first two seasons didn't satisfy.

In an interview with TV Insider, Patrick Stewart calls his acclaimed reunion with his full Star Trek: The Next Generation cast in Star Trek: Picard season 3 "an absolutely joyous and satisfying experience." Read Sir Patrick's quote below:

Patrick Stewart: "I’m so glad I listened to the writers and producers of Picard. Having the whole cast involved in that final season made for an absolutely joyous and satisfying experience. They’re all such dear friends, but also exceptionally talented artists."

While a few TNG actors guest starred in previous seasons of Star Trek: Picard, Stewart and his fellow Enterprise castmates placed their trust in showrunner Terry Matalas' vision. The result: Star Trek: Picard season 3 was lauded by critics and fans, who got what they wished for. Meanwhile, Star Trek: The Next Generation's cast were able to work together once more, an experience they cherished.

Before Star Trek: Picard season 3 put the TNG band back together, however, Picard surrounded Patrick Stewart with new faces, including Isa Briones, Allison Pill, Santiago Cabrera, Evan Evagora, and Michelle Hurd, as well as Jeri Ryan, who reprised Seven of Nine from Star Trek: Voyager. Due to budget constraints, only Ryan and Hurd returned for Star Trek: Picard season 3.

Patrick Stewart was also asked his thoughts on how Star Trek has expanded on Paramount+ under executive producer Alex Kurtzman's aegis. As one of Star Trek's living legends, Stewart says he "cheers on" the new iterations of the franchise, and he's "thrilled" whenever he meets new Star Trek actors. Read Sir Patrick's quote below:

Patrick Stewart: "The enduring power of Star Trek and its values continues to reach new generations, and I’ll always cheer on new series and new adaptations of this story. Having fresh voices to tell these new stories is critical, and I’m thrilled any time I get to meet a new member of the Star Trek 'tribe.'"

Calling Jean-Luc Picard "the most significant role of my career," Patrick Stewart will soon return as his other most iconic character, playing Professor Charles Xavier in Avengers: Doomsday. Hopefully, the Marvel Cinematic Universe will give Professor X and the X-Men a swansong as fitting as what Star Trek: Picard gave Jean-Luc and the crew of the USS Enterprise-D.