Patrick Stewart had almost rejected playing Picard in Star Trek: Here’s what made the actor change his mind

Patrick Stewart has made the character of Jean-Luc Picard immortal with his incredible performance in various Star Trek projects. The actor debuted the character in Star Trek: The Next Generation in 1987 and went on to reprise it in several films, shows, and video games.

His role as the commanding officer of the USS Enterprise-D was well appreciated, and the franchise shot him to global fame and acclaim. However, Patrick Stewart was not very keen on playing Picard initially.

In a 2023 interview with NPR, the actor revealed he thought of rejecting the role, as he felt he worked better as a stage actor and did not want to move away from his family for a long time. However, when a friend told him that the show might not last more than a season and would lead to quick money, Patrick decided to give it a shot.

When Patrick Stewart revealed how he thought of rejecting the role of Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation

Before joining Star Trek: The Next Generation, Patrick Stewart was famous for his performances on stage. In his interview, the actor disclosed that when he was offered Picard’s role, an actor friend of his advised him against it, as the contract was supposed to last for six years:

“I wasn't going to take it. Indeed, a dear friend of mine and a very important English actor had said to me, ‘Don't do this, Patrick. It's not what you need to do. You're a very good stage actor. That's where you ought to be. Don't do it.’”

However, another friend suggested that he should take up the project, as it might not last for more than one season. Believing that he could make some money by filming the show for six months and then return home, Patrick agreed to play Picard:

“I had learned that the contract that I was being offered was for six years, but I was told we would be lucky to make it through the first season. I remember one actor saying to me, ‘Sign up for this. Do six months of work. Make some money for the first time in your life. Get well known, get a suntan and go home.’ And I thought, ‘Yeah. That doesn't sound too bad. I could live with that.’”

As destiny would have it, the show became massively popular and ended up lasting for seven seasons between 1987 and 1994. Patrick, who initially thought of it as a six-month project, spent several decades with the character and became a fan favorite.

Following the conclusion of Star Trek: The Next Generation, the actor reprised the role in the films Star Trek Generations, Insurrection, First Contact, and Nemesis. He also played the character in the show Deep Space Nine. In 2020, he returned to the franchise with the series named after Picard.

The show aired three seasons and reached new heights of success before concluding in 2023. Patrick also talked about how portraying Picard over the years has made him a better person in life and said:

“It gave me an idea of how I might become a better person, yes. I was able to absorb that and make those feelings a strong and firm part of my life.”

Apart from Star Trek, Patrick Stewart is known for his appearances in the X-Men films, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Green Room, Hunting Elephants, Charlie's Angels, and Coda.

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