Another loss for the Star Trek family: Patrick Stewart, who portrayed Jean-Luc Picard starting in Star Trek: The Next Generation, has died at the age of 86. The news, reported Thursday, Oct. 29, comes in the same week Walter Koenig, the sci-fi franchise’s original Chekov, passed away at the age of 90.
Stewart boarded the Star Trek franchise in 1987, with the launch of Star Trek: The Next Generation. Once a celebrated actor of the London stage and on Broadway, Stewart would become world renowned as the cool, calm, and cerebral Picard – a role he would play through parts of four decades, on traditional TV, in film, and for streaming. With Picard’s penchant for Shakespeare quotes, it could be difficult to see where the British-born, Royal Shakespeare Company actor ended, and his Star Trek character began. To Marvel fans, of course, Stewart was equally iconic for his work as Professor Charles Xavier in several X-Men films, and the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday.
In the Star Trek universe, Stewart starred in all seven seasons of Star Trek: The Next Generation from 1987-1994, later reprising the role in four feature films, and the Paramount+ original series Star Trek: Picard, which concluded in 2023.
To remember Stewart and his contributions to Star Trek, we’ve selected nine essential episodes that showcase his work as Picard, from defending Data’s rights to confronting the Borg. All are available to stream now on Paramount+.
Key facts about Patrick Stewart
- Full name: Sir Patrick Stewart
- Born: July. 13, 1940
- Died: Oct. 28, 2026, at age 86 (announced on Oct. 29, 2026)
- Best known for: his role as Star Trek‘s Jean-Luc Picard
- Primary series: Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987–1994)
- Other appearances: Four Star Trek feature films and Star Trek: Picard (2020–2023)
- Where to watch: Paramount+
9 essential Star Trek episodes that showcase Patrick Stewart’s legacy
No. 1: “The Measure of a Man” (Star Trek: The Next Generation, Season 2, Episode 9)
When Starfleet orders Lt. Cmdr. Data (Brent Spiner) to undergo a procedure that could destroy him, Picard challenges the decision in a hearing to determine whether Data has the right to refuse.
Stewart delivers one of Picard’s defining speeches, arguing that Data deserves the freedom to make his own choices. The episode explores artificial intelligence, individual rights, and the responsibilities of Starfleet officers.
WATCH NOW: Star Trek: The Next Generation Season 2, Episode 9 “The Measure of a Man”
No. 2-3: “The Best of Both Worlds,” Parts I and II (Star Trek: The Next Generation, Seasons 3 and 4)
Resistance to this two-part story is futile. In it, the Borg capture Picard, and assimilate him into their collective, transforming him into Locutus of Borg.
The Borg use Picard’s knowledge of Starfleet to launch an attack on the Federation, forcing Cmdr. William Riker (Jonathan Frakes) to make decisions that could cost his captain’s life.
Stewart’s performance shifts from Picard’s authority aboard the Enterprise to the controlled voice of Locutus. The storyline changes Picard’s relationship with the Borg and introduces consequences explored throughout the series.
WATCH NOW:
- Star Trek: The Next Generation Season 3, “The Best of Both Worlds, Part I”
- Star Trek: The Next Generation Season 4, “The Best of Both Worlds, Part II”
No. 4: “Family” (Star Trek: The Next Generation, Season 4, Episode 2)
Following his rescue from the Borg, Picard returns to his family’s vineyard in France, where he reunites with his brother, Robert (Jeremy Kemp).
Their strained relationship leads to a confrontation in which Picard finally acknowledges the trauma of his assimilation. Stewart portrays Picard struggling with guilt over the destruction caused by the Borg while they controlled him.
The episode gives Stewart room to explore Picard’s life away from Starfleet, and the emotional consequences of “The Best of Both Worlds.”
WATCH NOW: Star Trek: The Next Generation Season 4, Episode 2 “Family”
No. 5: “The Inner Light” (Star Trek: The Next Generation, Season 5, Episode 25)
An alien probe renders Picard unconscious, causing him to experience decades of life as Kamin, a man living on the planet Kataan.
During this alternate lifetime, Picard marries, raises children, and grows old, eventually learning that the experience preserves the memory of a civilization that no longer exists.
“The Inner Light” remains one of the most recognized episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation, and earned a Hugo Award.
WATCH NOW: Star Trek: The Next Generation Season 5 Episode 25 “The Inner Light”
No. 6-7: “Chain of Command” Parts I and II (Star Trek: The Next Generation, Season 6, Episodes 11-12)
Captured during a covert mission, Picard is interrogated by Cardassian officer Gul Madred (David Warner), who attempts to break his resistance through torture and psychological manipulation.
Madred repeatedly demands that Picard identify five lights when only four are present. Picard refuses, declaring, “There are four lights!“
Stewart’s performance in this two-parter follows Picard through physical suffering, exhaustion, and attempts to preserve his sense of reality. After his rescue, Picard admits that he nearly believed Madred’s claims, revealing the lasting effects of his captivity.
- Star Trek: The Next Generation Season 6, Episode 11 “Chain of Command, Part I”
- Star Trek: The Next Generation Season 6, Episode 11 “Chain of Command, Part II”
No. 8: “Tapestry” (Star Trek: The Next Generation Season 6, Episode 15)
When Picard is gravely injured in a surprise attack, Q (John de Lancie) welcomes him to the afterlife.
Through a contentious reunion, Q shows him essential family members, souls ended by his decisions, and other key moments from his life. He also gives him an opportunity to relive a pivotal time in his life and change his destiny.
Along this Q-led journey, Stewart’s Picard learns that the cost of having a real heart is giving up his proverbial one. And so, he returns to set things back the way they were (and should have always been) before waking from an injury-induced coma.
WATCH NOW: Star Trek: The Next Generation Season 6, Episode 15 “Tapestry”
No. 9: “The Last Generation” (Star Trek: Picard Season 3, Episode 10)
Picard’s son, Jack Crusher (Ed Speleers) brings about a Starfleet-wide assimilation attack from the Borg. Every ship is commandeered via signal as Picard’s Borg DNA seeps in, infecting the fleet. One ship – older, trusty, legendary – is unaffected by the signal: the U.S.S. Enterprise.
The story is a heartfelt conclusion which enlists beloved members of Picard’s past crew to fight the Borg. And be sure to listen in the opening moments for Walter Koenig as the voice of Chekov (now President Chekov). As “The Last Generation” marks Stewart’s final work as Picard, so it marks Koenig’s final work as Chekov.
WATCH NOW: Star Trek: Picard Season 3, Episode 10 “The Last Generation”
Where to watch Patrick Stewart’s Star Trek episodes
Eight of the episodes from this list are from Star Trek: The Next Generation; the ninth is from Star Trek: Picard. All are streaming now on Paramount+.
You can also follow Picard’s journey – and Patrick Stewart’s – in the Star Trek feature films Star Trek: Generations, Star Trek: Insurrection, Star Trek: First Contact, and Star Trek: Nemesis. These movies, released from 1994 to 2002, focus on the Picard-era Enterprise. Like Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Picard, they’re streaming now on Paramount+.
Together, all these titles offer a way to revisit Stewart’s contributions to the Star Trek universe, and the character he played so well, for so long.
As Riker (Jonathan Frakes) says to his friend and onetime captain in the final moments of the final Star Trek: Picard, “We’re grateful to have ridden the tide with you.” Indeed, we are.
