When Patrick Stewart accepted the role of Captain Jean-Luc Picard on Star Trek: The Next Generation, he faced serious reservations from his close friend and fellow actor Ian McKellen. Despite McKellen warning that joining the long-running television series could damage Stewart’s reputable theater career, Stewart chose to embrace the opportunity in 1987. This decision not only changed his trajectory but also helped solidify the show’s place in television history.
Ian McKellen’s Concerns About Stewart’s Career and Star Trek
Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen shared a deep bond forged through their time at the Royal Shakespeare Company and later co-starring in the 2000 film X-Men. When Stewart was first offered the role of Picard, McKellen strongly urged him to turn it down, fearing it would derail his serious stage acting work. In Stewart’s 2023 memoir, Making It So, he recalled McKellen’s advice:
No, you must not do that. You must not. You have too much important theater work to do. You can’t throw that away to do TV. You can’t.
Both actors had experience on television, but never in a series that could last for years. McKellen worried that Star Trek would consume Stewart’s time and distract him from the prestigious theatrical projects he usually pursued.
Despite his respect for McKellen’s position and his own doubts, Stewart was drawn to the possibility of reaching a global audience through this groundbreaking role. He anticipated the series might have a limited run, allowing him to return to the stage after a few years, and believed that such a chance to gain mainstream recognition might not come again.
Stewart’s Role Fueled The Next Generation’s Success
Stewart’s portrayal of Captain Jean-Luc Picard became a defining element of Star Trek: The Next Generation’s success across its seven-season run from 1987 to 1994. His sophisticated and thoughtful interpretation, shaped by a Shakespearean background, attracted viewers who may not have been traditional science fiction fans and challenged perceptions of television acting.
While the show had many contributors, Stewart’s compelling performance helped transform it into a pop culture phenomenon. His work demonstrated the dramatic potential of TV, breaking down barriers for serious actors to explore roles in genre series. Had Stewart declined the part or failed to connect with audiences, the future of the Star Trek franchise likely would have been jeopardized at that time.
How Star Trek: The Next Generation Surpassed Expectations
Looking back, Ian McKellen’s apprehensions seem misplaced, as Star Trek: The Next Generation launched Stewart into international fame without sidelining his theater career. Stewart returned to stage acting in 1995 and remained active in both theater and screen roles for years afterward. Given the context of the late 1980s, though, McKellen’s concerns were understandable.
The franchise was risk-laden—it had been two decades since the conclusion of The Original Series, and there were doubts whether a revival would resonate with audiences or critics. The high standards set by William Shatner’s Captain Kirk and the lasting impact of the original series raised the stakes, making success far from guaranteed.
Reflecting on the Decisions and Their Lasting Impact
Years after Stewart’s breakthrough with Star Trek, McKellen recognized that his caution was mistaken. In 2020, he told The Guardian,
[Stewart’s] long forgiven me my advice not to risk a solid career on the British stage by falling for an uncertain future in Star Trek. How he got that job is a prime example of how luck can be a lady and it will be a riveting chapter in the memoir he must write.
Their friendship endured, and both actors eventually embraced genre roles in iconic franchises.
McKellen himself expanded into fantasy and superhero worlds, famously playing Gandalf in Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings trilogy. He and Stewart later reunited in the superhero realm with the X-Men franchise and are set to reprise their roles in the upcoming film Avengers: Doomsday. Their careers illustrate how taking risks beyond established comfort zones can create enduring opportunities and cultural impact.
The success of Star Trek: The Next Generation and Stewart’s portrayal of Picard serve as reminders that venturing into new artistic territory, even amid uncertainty and professional warnings, can redefine careers and influence entertainment history in unexpected ways.
