Patrick Stewart's journey to becoming one of television's most recognisable actors nearly took a very different turn after his close friend Ian McKellen tried to talk him out of accepting the role of Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek. The Lord of the Rings star feared his friend would sacrifice his promising British theatre career for an American television series.
However, Stewart, who recently died, went against McKellen's advice and trusted his own judgement, believing the opportunity might never come again. That decision ultimately transformed him into an international star and made Picard one of his most iconic roles.
McKellen's Unexpected Warning
The surprising revelation came from Stewart's own account of their friendship, with McKellen recalling the conversation in an emotional tribute following the actor's death at 86. The pair had first met as ambitious young performers at the Royal Shakespeare Company during the 1970s, but McKellen identified Stewart's decision to join Star Trek as one of his strongest early memories of their relationship.
At the time, Stewart was considering an offer to lead a new American science-fiction television series, which would eventually become Star Trek: The Next Generation. McKellen was not convinced it was the right move, questioning whether his friend really wanted to risk spending years away from the British stage and potentially getting lost in Hollywood.
He Nearly Stopped Him
The warning was apparently much stronger than a casual suggestion from a concerned friend, as Stewart later recalled the dramatic reaction in his 2023 memoir, Making It So. When he told McKellen he intended to sign the contract, the fellow actor was so opposed to the decision that Stewart said he 'almost bodily prevented me from doing so'.
Stewart recalled McKellen repeatedly insisting that he had too much important theatre work ahead of him to abandon it for television. His friend was clearly passionate about protecting his stage career, but Stewart believed the opportunity in front of him was simply too significant to turn down.
Stewart Trusted His Instincts
Despite valuing McKellen's opinion, Stewart had already considered what accepting the role could mean for his future as an actor. He explained that he believed theatre would always welcome him back whenever he was ready, whereas an offer to lead an American television series might never come around again.
It was a calculated risk rather than a decision made without considering the consequences, and Stewart ultimately chose to trust his own judgement. Looking back, he appeared particularly pleased that his friend eventually admitted he had been wrong, even joking in his memoir that he enjoyed making McKellen say those words more than once.
Star Trek Changed Everything
Stewart's decision proved to be a defining moment when Star Trek: The Next Generation premiered in 1987, introducing audiences to his commanding portrayal of Captain Jean-Luc Picard. The series ran for seven seasons until 1994, with Stewart appearing in more than 170 episodes and becoming one of the franchise's most recognisable faces.
His success did not stop with television, as he went on to reprise Picard in four feature films before returning for the series Star Trek: Picard between 2020 and 2023. What McKellen had feared might take Stewart away from the stage instead opened the door to a remarkable screen career that stretched across generations.
Their Friendship Grew Stronger
Interestingly, the two actors eventually found themselves working together in another major film franchise, with Stewart portraying Professor Charles Xavier and McKellen playing Magneto in the X-Men films. Their characters were often on opposing sides, but away from the cameras, the pair developed a particularly close friendship that lasted for decades.
Stewart previously explained that they became closer while filming the original X-Men in 2000, where their adjoining trailers gave them plenty of opportunities to spend time together. They would drink tea, occasionally enjoy something stronger in the afternoon and discover just how much they had in common, turning a professional relationship into a lasting personal bond.
McKellen's Emotional Tribute
Following Stewart's death, McKellen looked back on their extraordinary friendship in a heartfelt social media tribute, describing his late friend as the most respected and beloved actor of his generation on both sides of the Atlantic. He also praised Stewart for never abandoning his Yorkshire roots, despite achieving international fame and eventually making America his home.
'He wore his heart on his sleeve, which made him a man to rely on, to admire and, in my case, love,' McKellen wrote. The actor also recalled Stewart's appointment as Chancellor of the University of Huddersfield as his friend's proudest achievement, offering another glimpse into the man behind the iconic television roles.
