A large portion of The Next Generation cast comes together on the set of Star Trek: Picard in a new behind-the-scenes photo. Airing weekly on CBS All-Access, Picard sees Patrick Stewart return as Jean-Luc Picard, no longer a member of Starfleet yet still fighting for what he's thinks is right. In this case, that fight is to protect an android woman who is, essentially, Commander Data's daughter, from being captured by the Romulans. Jean-Luc is working with a new, ragtag crew on Picard, but a few familiar faces have still dropped by.
Premiering in 1987, Star Trek: The Next Generation is the second series in the franchise. Airing on television for seven seasons, Next Gen also includes four feature films that continue the adventures of the Enterprise-D's beloved crew into the 2000s. Picard is then, in a sense, a continuation of that film series, picking back up with Jean-Luc in the years following as he continues to grapple with his guilt over Data's death in the final Next Gen movie, Star Trek: Nemesis. Though not a true sequel to Next Gen, Picard season 1 has already seen several Next Gen cast members appear, including a few from this new behind-the-scenes photo.
Shared via Instagram by Dahj/Soji actress Isa Briones, the photo shows Briones and Stewart seated alongside Marina Sirtis (Deanna Troi), as Jonathan Frakes (Will Riker), Michael Dorn (Worf), and Levar Burton (Geordi La Forge) stand behind them. Judging by the pleasant scenery and the presence of Sirtis and Frakes, it seems safe to assume this shot was taken during the filming of Picard's most recent episode, "Nepenthe".
Both Sirtis and Frakes reprise their roles as Troi and Riker in Picard's most recent episode, now a married couple living with their daughter, Kestra, on the planet, Nepenthe. Jean-Luc brings Soji to their home in order to escape the Artifact/Borg Cube and the Romulans pursuing them, and it allows him to not only catch up with his former Enterprise crew mates, but seek their advice on what to do next. The episode's reunion is by far Picard's most heartwarming moment, and given the strong reaction from fans, there's hope for more Next Gen reunions in season 2.
Most notably, Michael Dorn's Worf and Levar Burton's Geordie have yet to be involved with Picard at all despite visiting the set. Fan favorite character Guinan, has also not returned for Picard, though Stewart did officially invite Whoopi Goldberg to reprise her role. Only time will tell what other former Star Trek actors will join in on Picard's fun, but the show's renewal for a season 2 certainly creates the opportunity.
Star Trek: Picard season 1 continues Thursday, March 12th with "Broken Pieces" on CBS All Access.
Source: Isa Briones/Instagram