'Star Trek' Helped Patrick Stewart Lighten Up and Love Himself

Sir Patrick Stewart discusses how his fellow “Star Trek: The Next Generation” actors brought a sense of levity to his work as Capt. Jean-Luc Picard, changing the dynamic on set and adding a new dimension to his character. Stewart is featured in the December 2023/January 2024 issue of “AARP The Magazine” and has written a memoir, “Making It So.”
In this AARP interview, Stewart reflects fondly on getting his first theater role at age 12 and how it changed his perspective on life. As a kid, Stewart struggled with low self-esteem, but acting provided an escape. By his 20s, Stewart had become a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company in England, playing leading roles such as King John (“The Life and Death of King John”), Oberon (“A Midsummer’s Night Dream"), Titus Andronicus (“Titus Andronicus”) and Henry IV (“Henry IV”).
Patrick Stewart explains that he never planned to be a Hollywood star. But in 1987, he couldn’t say no to the opportunity to play Capt. Jean-Luc Picard in “Star Trek: The Next Generation” (TNG), a follow-up to “Star Trek,” the original series. After taking his leadership role on the show much “too seriously” at first, Stewart says he learned to loosen up over the course of its seven seasons. TNG turned Stewart into a household name, with the series finale in 1994 watched by over 30 million viewers. The characters from TNG went on to star in several films: “Star Trek Generations” (1994), “Star Trek: First Contact” (1996), “Star Trek: Insurrection” (1998) and “Star Trek: Nemesis” (2002). The cast was reunited again in the television series “Star Trek: Picard” (2020-2023), which Stewart says was “one of the best pieces of work that [he’s] ever been involved with.”
After, Stewart took on more roles, from Professor X in the “X-Men” franchise to Macbeth in “Macbeth” (2010). Now in his 80s and with an impressive career under his belt, Stewart has learned to love himself and embrace what’s coming next.
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[@TMYPiscesSunandMoonRising5548]

I've been a Trekkie for over 30 years and this is my favorite series. Still watch all the re-runs 😁.

[@Susan.I]

My family too!

[@richard84738]

The "leadership role" of Picard was absolutely the greatest aspect of it. He did NOT overplay it at all. On the contrary, his portrayal of Picard's immaculate tight precision of leadership was a massive exemplar to so many who didn't have any kind of role model like that in their lives. Jean Luc taught us what a real leader was, how a real leader took risks but cared deeply for his team and never sacrificed integrity and yes, could be relatively shorter and bald! If he had toned down the Picard character, the show and the impression upon millions of children would have been dampened. He underestimates how much we needed a figure like that, so that any excess only served to deepen the impression. ST:TNG was an amazing thing to see growing up and I argue more impactful on a positive cultural level than any of the plays he was in. I know he loves the intimacy of the theater but it was that show that touched the hearts and minds of millions, most of whom would never have experienced that level of drama anywhere, much less a theater.

[@AM-2k]

"The important thing is, make yourself open, so the unexpected can happen!" Brilliant indeed.

[@hurlbag559]

Really interesting that TNG Picard being super stiff/disciplined to begin with was a reflection of Patrick himself, that his development as a character up to season 7 was also a development of his personality too. Explains a lot about the way he is in the TV show Picard, he wanted nothing to do with that past 'version' of the character/himself - which to me was a huge detriment to the show because TNG Picard was pretty iconic, and we didn't get that same character.

[@andrewnlarsen]

Well Stewart wanted to try something different with Picard.

[@AJLane983]

That was great, but it was TOO SHORT!