You read that right.
The TNG cast will return to reprise (most?) of their roles within Star Trek Picard Season 3, Paramount today confirmed.
The news that The Next Generation‘s crew would join — and actually, is seemingly usurping the original cast of Picard — came on First Contact Day, a celebration of all things Star Trek.
The teaser, below, shows Sir Patrick Stewart as Admiral Jean-Luc Picard, clearly done with the events of Picard Season 2 and settling back into a more normal life. Voiceovers from TNG‘s original cast are heard before we get a look at Jonathan Frakes as William Riker.
Both Frakes and co-star Marina Sirtis (Deanna Troi) have already reprised their TNG roles in Picard; Brent Spiner has also played Data and members of the Soong family within the new show. Today’s announcement marks the inclusion of Levar Burton as Geordi LaForge, Michael Dorn as Worf and Gates McFadden as Doctor Beverly Crusher.
“I remember watching the premiere of Star Trek: The Next Generation almost 34 years ago with my father like it was yesterday. It was the spark that ignited my love for science fiction,” Season 3 showrunner Terry Matalas said in a statement. “So, it’s most fitting that the story of Jean-Luc Picard ends honoring the beginning, with his dearest and most loyal friends from the U.S.S. Enterprise. It would be an understatement to say that giving these characters a proper send-off is an honor. The entire Star Trek Picard team and I can’t wait for fans to experience this final, high-stakes, starship-bound adventure in season three!”
Paramount’s statement says that the TNG cast “will star alongside Stewart in season three of the service’s hit original series Star Trek Picard,” and makes no mention of its current cast including Jeri Ryan (Seven of Nine), Allison Pill (Dr Jurati), Isa Briones (Soji), Santiago Cabrera (Captain Rios), Michelle Hurd (Raffi) and Evan Evagora (Elnor).
Back in 2019, Picard showrunners went on record to say that Stewart didn’t want Picard to be a Next Generation reunion.
“A big concern was we did not want it to be and especially Patrick did not want it to be a TNG reunion show and I think you can tell from the trailer and what you’ll definitely tell from the series, is that we only brought people back if their story really mattered to the story we were were telling,” producer Heather Kadin said at the time.
What do you make of this change of tune?
It’s not clear when Star Trek Picard Season 3 will air; Season 2 is currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video in Australia and Paramount+ elsewhere.
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