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Sir Patrick Stewart opened up about his casting in Star Trek all those years ago and it wasn’t as seamless as it appeared.
The actor, 82, admitted he didn’t want to sign onto the franchise initially as he was worried it could get in the way of other work.
Having little faith in its ability to take off, he feared locking into a six-year contract with the famous sci-fi series.
While chatting with Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield on This Morning, the acting veteran said his agent had promised that he didn’t need to worry as he’d ‘be lucky to make it through the first season’.
He went on to say he thought it would be ‘improbable and unlikely’ that he would still be chatting about his character and time on the other worldly set years later.
Sir Patrick played Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation in 1987 and reprised his role in 2020 when he returned to star in Star Trek: Picard.
Sir Patrick opened up about his start on Star Trek (Picture: ITV)
The star told Holly and Phil about his fears over joining the franchise (Picture: ITV)
During the chat he also revealed why his time performing with the Royal Shakespeare Company helped him excel on the science fiction set.
Referencing the iconic costume’s lack of pockets, the actor revealed other cast members struggled with not having the feature in their trousers.
He said he was used to allowing his ‘arms hang by [his] sides’ due to the fact he came from wearing ‘tights and silly pants’ while acting on stage.
The star reprised his role in 2020 (Picture: Paramount+)
Excitedly questioning the Hollywood A-lister over his time as part of the franchise, Phillip revealed he was a true Star Trekkie and die-hard fan.
He said Paramount – the network hosting the revival series Star Trek: Strange New Worlds – had offered him a first look at the entire series but he didn’t want to watch ahead as he ‘didn’t want it to end’.
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The This Morning host then asked the star if he would miss the franchise once it had been and gone and he simply replied: ‘No because it’s still there’.
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is set to premiere on May 5 on Paramount Plus and has already been renewed for a second season.
This Morning airs weekdays from 10am on ITV.
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He never thought he’d make six years, let alone multiple reprisals.
