(AP/RNN) - "Star Trek" fans let out a cheer over the weekend. Patrick Stewart will soon return to the sci-fi franchise.
CBS All Access said that Stewart has been tapped to headline a new "Star Trek" series, reprising his "Star Trek: The Next Generation" character, Capt. Jean-Luc Picard. The announcement was made at the Las Vegas Star Trek convention,
The new series is not a "Next Generation" reboot but will tell the story of the next chapter of Picard's life. No title or air date was revealed.
Stewart headlined his "Star Trek" series for seven seasons and portrayed Picard in the movies "Star Trek Generations" (1994), "Star Trek: First Contact" (1996), "Star Trek: Insurrection" (1998) and "Star Trek: Nemesis" (2002).
In a statement, Stewart says he thought his "Star Trek" days "had run its natural course" so he considers it a delightful surprise to be playing Picard again.
It is 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. Read my full statement in the photo. #StarTrek @cbsallaccess Photo: @shervinfoto pic.twitter.com/8Ynuj3RBNm
— Patrick Stewart (@SirPatStew) August 4, 2018
Executive Producer Alex Kurtzman and @SirPatStew surprised fans today at #STLV with news that he will be returning to the iconic role of Jean-Luc Picard for a new Star Trek series coming to @cbsallaccess. pic.twitter.com/8F0EPnQMXn
— Star Trek: Discovery (@startrekcbs) August 4, 2018
Copyright 2018 The Associated Press and Raycom News Network. All rights reserved.