The stars of the new Star Trek series have stepped out in Leicester Square for the premiere of the new Amazon series.
Star Trek: Picard, which will be released online on January 23, follows the life of Jean-Luc Picard, played by Sir Patrick Stewart.
Picard will see Sir Patrick’s much-loved character, who he played on TV and in films between 1987 to 2002, during the next chapter of his life, living on the family vineyard.
The 79-year-old shared a kiss with longtime friend and fellow actor Sir Ian McKellen, 80, in front of flashing bulbs at the central London premiere on Wednesday.
Nearby station Piccadilly Circus received a rebrand as "Picardilly Station" to help publicise the new show.
Sir Patrick initially declined the chance to reprise the role but was eventually convinced by the “ideas and concepts” of the new series.
He said: “It wasn’t my idea. It was other people’s idea and they invited me to come back. I am doing this because on my second meeting, the ideas and concepts I heard were irresistible.
“Furthermore, it wasn’t the Jean-Luc Picard that I had been for 12 years.”
Asked whether the intervening 18 years had influenced the way he performed as Picard, he said: “I always did that.
"Picard and I were merged very early on but he lives in a different world now. That is what makes this series such a contrast to the other ones.”
The series will also star Alison Pill, Harry Treadaway, Isa Briones, Santiago Cabrera, Evan Evagora and Michelle Hurd.
Former Star Trek star Jason Isaacs was also on the red carpet.
