"Star Trek" fans, rejoice: An iconic character will soon return to the small screen.
According to Entertainment Weekly, actor Patrick Stewart announced Saturday that he will play Jean-Luc Picard, the fan favorite from "Star Trek: The Next Generation," in a new "Star Trek" series for CBS All Access.
The news came at the "Star Trek" Las Vegas convention.
"I have never, ever grown tired of hearing from people who stop me in the street or in a restaurant – well, no, I don't like being interrupted while I'm eating – who say to me, 'Your show changed my life. Without 'Star Trek: The Next Generation,' I might not be here," Stewart told fans in the surprise appearance. "And that lies at the very center of what I have to tell you now: Jean-Luc Picard is back."
Stewart later shared the news on Twitter:
"I will always be very proud to have been a part of 'Star Trek: The Next Generation,' but when we wrapped that final movie in the spring of 2002, I truly felt my time with Star Trek had run its natural course," he said in a statement. "It is, therefore, an unexpected but delightful surprise to find myself excited and invigorated to be returning to Jean-Luc Picard and to explore new dimensions within him. Seeking out new life for him, when I thought that life was over."
He added: "During these past years, it has been humbling to hear stories about how 'The Next Generation' brought people comfort, saw them through difficult periods in their lives or how the example of Jean-Luc inspired so many to follow in his footsteps, pursuing science, exploration and leadership. I feel I'm ready to return to him for the same reason – to research and experience what comforting and reforming light he might shine on these often very dark times. I look forward to working with our brilliant creative team as we endeavor to bring a fresh, unexpected and pertinent story to life once more."
The series' name and when it will be released were not revealed, The Associated Press reported.
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