Lower Decks creator explains why Patrick Stewart never voiced Picard
Mike McMahan said he never had a story placing Admiral Picard with the USS Cerritos crew, and Star Trek: Picard's overlapping run complicated logistics.
Mike McMahan, creator and showrunner of Star Trek: Lower Decks, has explained why Patrick Stewart never voiced Admiral Jean-Luc Picard in the animated series, according to screenrant.com.
McMahan said he never had a story in which Admiral Picard could encounter the USS Cerritos crew, which is why the character did not appear in voice form on the show.
He also noted that Star Trek: Picard was airing at the same time as Lower Decks, which made the logistics complicated.
McMahan described Stewart as a kind and humble person whom he had seen in convention green rooms.
Other Star Trek veterans did return
Star Trek: Picard ran from 2020 to 2023, overlapping with Lower Decks, which ran for five seasons on Paramount+. Several Star Trek: The Next Generation actors, including Jonathan Frakes, Marina Sirtis, Brent Spiner, John DeLancie and Alice Krige, appeared in Lower Decks as their characters. The USS Enterprise-E appeared in the series finale, though Michael Dorn did not voice Captain Worf.
Quick answers
Why did Patrick Stewart never voice Picard in Star Trek: Lower Decks?
Creator Mike McMahan said he never had a story in which Admiral Picard could meet the USS Cerritos crew, and that Star Trek: Picard airing at the same time made logistics complicated.
Did any Star Trek: The Next Generation actors appear in Lower Decks?
Yes. Jonathan Frakes, Marina Sirtis, Brent Spiner, John DeLancie and Alice Krige appeared in the series as their characters.