'STAR' POWER
Familiar ‘Trek’ faces, newbies set for All Access ‘Picard’ series
‘STAR Trek: Picard” is at least a partial family reunion for the cast and characters of the 1987-1994 sci-fi drama “Star Trek: The Next Generation.”
The much-anticipated series, premiering Thursday on CBS All Access, checks in on the post-retirement life of former Admiral Jean-Luc Picard — once again played by Sir Patrick Stewart, 79. When a scared stranger on the run seeks help from a downtrodden Picard, who left Starfleet 14 years prior under troublesome circumstances, the former captain of the USS Enterprise is stonewalled when he seeks support from the new leadership of Starfleet. He winds up looking for assistance from some new associates who have their own axes to grind, as well as several of his former starship colleagues.
The series takes the franchise where no fan has gone before: into the mind of a normally incontrol but now spiraling 94year-old Picard. Viewers will get a peek into the post-Enterprise lives of several “Next Generation” characters, who have not been seen since 2002’s “Star Trek: Nemesis.”
One former cast member who won’t initially be in “Picard” but has been tapped for other Starfleet duty is Wil Wheaton, who played young officer Wesley Crusher in “The Next Generation.” He will host “The Ready Room,” a weekly, post-episode talk show that will dive into the latest happenings on the series.
Here’s a look at some of the returning and new characters on “Star Trek: Picard.”
Jean-Luc Picard: Yes, fans will hear Stewart’s Picard utter his classic command — “Engage!” — and he still enjoys a steaming cup of Earl Grey tea. Just don’t expect many more familiar traits since he vacated his chair on the bridge of the USS Enterprise. But he has a dog, aptly named No. 1, to keep him company.
Data: The android Starfleet officer, played by Brent Spiner, was killed off in “Nemesis,” but returns to haunt Picard in his dreams and in the form of the dismantled android B-4.
Seven of Nine: Played by Jeri Ryan in the 1995-2001 series “Star Trek: Voyager,” she — like Picard — is a former captive of the Borg collective. The character never actually appeared in “The Next Generation,” but that show and “Voyager” existed in the same timeline.
William Riker: Picard’s former first officer, whom he affectionately called “No. 1,” is again portrayed by Jonathan Frakes.
Deanna Troi: The ship’s alien counselor, played by Marina Sirtis, is still married to former first officer Riker.
Hugh: Jonathan Del Arco returns as the de-assimilated Borg drone he portrayed in two episodes of “The Next Generation.”
Dahj: Isa Briones plays the new character, a mysterious young woman who locates Picard at his vineyard in France and drags him into an interstellar adventure.
Dr. Agnes Jurati: Alison Pill plays a doctor known for her work with synthetic humanoids.
Raffi Musiker: A former intelligence officer, portrayed by Michelle Hurd, the new character is hesitant to help Picard.
Cristóbal Rios: Santiago Cabrera plays Raffi’s associate, an ex-Starfleet officer and renegade pilot.