Star Trek: Prodigy Finale Nearly Included Picard Scene, Writer Says
Aaron J. Waltke shared a draft script page showing Jean-Luc Picard interrupting a Starfleet briefing in 2385, a scene that was cut from the finale.
Aaron J. Waltke, a writer and executive producer on Star Trek: Prodigy, said the animated series' finale nearly featured an appearance by Jean-Luc Picard. Waltke revealed the unused idea in a post on his official X account, according to screenrant.com, and shared images of a draft of the finale's script showing the scene.
In the scripted scene, set at Starfleet Headquarters in 2385, Admiral Edward Jellico addresses admirals following the destruction of Utopia Planitia. Picard interrupts to challenge Starfleet's plans, and Admiral Kathryn Janeway also sides with him according to the draft page.
Waltke did not say whether Patrick Stewart was approached about the scene, whether dialogue was recorded, or why the sequence was cut from the finished episode.
An older role, revisited
Stewart, the late actor who first played Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation in 1987, went on to reprise the character in four Star Trek films. In 2020 he returned to the role for Star Trek: Picard, which ended after three seasons in 2023.
Quick answers
Did Patrick Stewart appear in the Star Trek: Prodigy finale?
No. The scene with Jean-Luc Picard existed only in a draft of the finale's script that Aaron J. Waltke shared; the writer did not say whether Stewart was approached.
What happened in the cut Picard scene?
Set at Starfleet Headquarters in 2385, the scene had Admiral Edward Jellico addressing admirals after the destruction of Utopia Planitia, with Picard interrupting to challenge Starfleet's plans and Admiral Kathryn Janeway agreeing with him.
Why was the Picard scene cut from the finale?
Aaron J. Waltke did not say why the scene was removed.