Sci-Fi Fans, Be Thankful Patrick Stewart Ignored Ian McKellen’s Star Trek Advice

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Over the years, there have been several different versions of Star Trek, and fans all have their preferred series. However, Star Trek: The Next Generation is consistently the most popular. The show, which ran from 1987 to 1994 for seven seasons, featured Sir Patrick Stewart as Captain Jean-Luc Picard, who commanded the USS Enterprise.

I’ve always been captivated by Captain Jean-Luc Picard. He reminded me a bit of Captain Kirk from the original series – that same commanding presence – but Picard was definitely more introspective and controlled. Patrick Stewart brought such a beautiful, refined quality to the role, thanks to his years with Shakespeare, and I truly believe his performance is what made The Next Generation so special. It’s amazing to think that he almost didn’t play Picard though! Apparently, Sir Ian McKellen advised him not to take the part!

Ian McKellen Thought Star Trek Would Ruin Patrick Stewart’s Career

Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen became close friends later in life, but their connection actually began decades earlier when they both worked with the Royal Shakespeare Company. They always admired each other’s talent and contributions to theater. That’s why, when Stewart was offered the role of Captain Picard, McKellen readily shared some helpful career advice.

In his 2023 memoir, Making It So, Patrick Stewart recalls how Ian McKellen strongly urged him not to take the role. McKellen insisted, “You absolutely shouldn’t do that! You have important theater commitments, and you can’t sacrifice those for a TV show.” While both actors had appeared on television before, it was usually in limited series or adaptations of classic books for channels like the BBC, and they generally preferred sticking to that type of work.

McKellen was concerned that starring in Star Trek would consume too much of Stewart’s time and potentially damage his reputation as a respected actor. While Stewart valued McKellen’s concerns and had some doubts himself, he ultimately decided to take the role. He felt it might be his only chance to reach a wider, especially international, audience, and he anticipated the show wouldn’t last long, allowing him to return to the stage after a few years.

Patrick Stewart was a key factor in making The Next Generation a huge success, though many others contributed. He attracted viewers who weren’t typically fans of science fiction and demonstrated that television could showcase powerful acting. Without his captivating performance, the show might not have thrived, and it could have meant the end of Star Trek altogether, at least temporarily.

Star Trek: The Next Generation Exceeded All Expectations

Looking back, McKellen’s advice seems silly, considering how famous Star Trek made Stewart. It didn’t hurt his stage career either – he returned to the theater in 1995 and continued acting for many years. Still, it’s easy to see why McKellen felt that way at the time.

Launching The Next Generation was a big gamble. Twenty years had passed since the original Star Trek, and there was no certainty a new series could recreate its success. Even if it became popular, there was no promise it would be critically praised. Few, even devoted fans, could have predicted just how much of a cultural icon it would become.

McKellen has publicly acknowledged he was mistaken, and he and Stewart have no lingering disagreements. In a 2020 interview with The Guardian, McKellen said Stewart had long forgiven him for advising against taking a chance on a British stage career. He added that Stewart landing the role was a clear example of good fortune, and would make a compelling story in Stewart’s future memoir.

Ian McKellen later became known for his work in popular genre films, most famously as Gandalf in Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings trilogy in the early 2000s. Around that same time, he and Patrick Stewart both began appearing in superhero movies, and they are scheduled to appear together in the upcoming film Avengers: Doomsday. Patrick Stewart’s success with Star Trek demonstrates that taking chances can be rewarding for actors, allowing them to expand their careers beyond familiar roles.

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2026-02-07 17:09