Over the years, the iconic characters from the original Star Trek series have been portrayed by different actors. We’ve seen various actors take on the roles of adult Captain Kirk, Spock, Uhura, Sulu, Chekov, Scotty, and other beloved characters from the franchise. However, it’s interesting to note that Star Trek has yet to explore the possibility of introducing a new version of Jean-Luc Picard or any other character from Star Trek: The Next Generation or its associated series. The only exception might be the time when Picard, Guinan, Ensign Ro Laren, and Keiko O’Brien were transformed into twelve-year-old children due to a transporter mishap in the season six episode “Rascals.”
Many fans have pondered the possibility of seeing another actor take on the role of Captain Picard or portraying a younger version of him as a lieutenant or cadet. Patrick Stewart himself has expressed belief in this idea. In an interview with Wired, he expressed confidence in the prospect of another actor taking on the role. He even speculated that Ed Speleers, who played Picard’s son, could potentially become the next Jean-Luc Picard by adopting his father’s last name, although not necessarily his first name. This would not be a replacement for Stewart’s character, but rather a continuation or evolution of the Picard legacy.
Further discussions have also arisen as to which actors could potentially step into the shoes of The Next Generation characters in a big screen reboot. Some have suggested Toby Stephens, known for his role in “Black Sails,” as a potential candidate for Captain Picard. These ideas have sparked ongoing conversations about the prospect of rebooting the cast members for future productions.
Patrick Stewart has expressed his belief that there will come a time when a different actor will portray Jean-Luc Picard in the Star Trek franchise. While this might not occur while the current actors are still able to potentially join Star Trek: Legacy if it gets greenlit or star in a final Star Trek: The Next Generation movie, Stewart’s conviction suggests that it is a possibility for the future.