Heavily rumoured over the past month or so, it’s now been confirmed that Sir Patrick Stewart will be returning to the roll of Captain Jean-Luc Picard in a new Star Trek series for CBS All Access.

The show will follow the next chapter of the Starfleet Captain’s life, and not be a Next Generation reboot, nor will it tie-in with Discovery. The announcement was made at the Star Trek Las Vegas convention, which took place this week. Stewart made a surprise appearance to reveal the news.

Alex Kurtzman (Discovery co-creator and executive producer) is looking after all new Trek content as part of a massive deal with CBS TV Studios. The creative team for the as-yet unnamed show will include James Duff, Akiva Goldsman, Michael Chabon, and writer Kirsten Beyer.

Stewart said: “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. 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.”

“During these past years,” he continued, “it has been humbling to hear many 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 endeavour to bring a fresh, unexpected and pertinent story to life once more.”

Expect more news when we get it.