Patrick Stewart Explains the World of THE NEXT GENERATION Doesn't Exist Anymore in STAR TREK: PICARD

With the passing of time comes a lot of changes. Many of the things we know and remember from Star Trek: The Next Generation will not be the same in the upcoming Star Trek: Picard series. In fact, according to Patrick Stewart, who will be back in the role of Jean-Luc Picard, the world of The Next Generation doesn’t even exist anymore and the changes reflect the way our own world has changed. While talking to Variety, he explained:

“I think what we’re trying to say is important. The world of Next Generation doesn’t exist anymore. It’s different. Nothing is really safe. Nothing is really secure. We are remaining very faithful to Gene Roddenberry’s notion of what the future might be like. In a way, the world of Next Generation had been too perfect and too protected. It was the Enterprise. It was a safe world of respect and communication and care and, sometimes, fun.”

He goes on to say that the Federation in Picard has taken an isolationist turn, which he says “was me responding to the world of Brexit and Trump and feeling, ‘Why hasn’t the Federation changed? Why hasn’t Starfleet changed?’ Maybe they’re not as reliable and trustworthy as we all thought.”

This is certainly going to be an interesting and different take on the Star Trek universe. I like the direction that they are taking it. Too much of a good thing can last for only so long before history repeats itself and everything gets messed up again.

It’s been said that this is going to be a new kind of Star Trek show, and I’m excited about seeing what comes of it. I love what I’ve seen so far and the story it tells is sure to be good.

This series will follow Picard as he embarks on a mission to protect a mysterious and powerful young woman named Dahj (Isa Briones), who shares a connection with him. He assembles a small crew for a little galaxy-class or Sovereign-class flagship like the Enterprise and head back into the vastness of space.

His new crew includes cast members Santiago Cabrera as Cristobal “Chris” Rios, Michelle Hurd as Raffi Musiker, Alison Pill as Dr. Agnes Jurati, Harry Treadaway as Narek, and Evan Evagora as Elnor.

The series will also feature the return of Brent Spiner as Data, Star Trek: Voyager’s Jeri Ryan as Seven of Nine, and Jonathan Frakes as Will Riker from Star Trek: The Next Generation.

Star Trek: Picard comes to CBS All Access on January 23rd, 2020.