“All of these anniversaries are wildly surreal for me…”
Star Trek’s 60th birthday is less than two months away, and many fans will flock to cities like Las Vegas and Philadelphia this fall to take part in the celebration. However, while the momentous occasion certainly isn’t lost on Jean-Luc Picard icon Sir Patrick Stewart, it’s The Next Generation’s upcoming 40th anniversary that he finds "remarkable."
Stewart, who first portrayed the captain of the Enterprise-D in TNG’s 1987 premiere, “Encounter at Farpoint,” said during an interview with TV Insider: “All of these anniversaries are wildly surreal for me, but the 40th anniversary of The Next Generation is particularly remarkable. I still remember my first day driving onto the Paramount lot like it was yesterday.”
Following The Next Generation’s seven-year run on television, Jean-Luc Picard and his crew embarked on four big-screen adventures, including the must-see Star Trek: First Contact (1996). For those who may be new to the fandom, Stewart reprised the role in 2020 once again for the streaming series Picard, and season 3 featured a full-blown TNG reunion as the core seven actors reunited.
However, bringing back Jonathan Frakes, Brent Spiner, Gates McFadden, Michael Dorn, LeVar Burton, and Marina Sirtis to join Stewart for a Next Generation-focused season wasn’t always the plan. “I’m so glad I listened to the writers and producers of Picard,” Stewart said during the same sit-down. “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.”
Personally, I also enjoyed season 1 and 2 of Picard, particularly the latter, thanks to the inclusion of Spiner portraying the role of the villainous Adam Soong and the return of John de Lancie as fan-favorite Q. However, everything goes back to The Next Generation, and I, like Stewart, cannot believe that 2027 marks the 40th anniversary of the incredible sci-fi series.
Do you also find it remarkable that The Next Generation turns 40 next year? Share your thoughts and comments with us on the Redshirts Always Die Facebook and X pages.
Live long and prosper, Trekkies!
Add us as a preferred source on Google