British actor Patrick Stewart, best known for portraying Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek and Professor Charles Xavier in the X-Men franchise, has died at the age of 86. His death has renewed interest in his extensive film and television career, with audiences revisiting some of his most recognised performances across streaming platforms. Stewart built an international following through his work in science fiction and superhero productions, while his career also included Shakespearean theatre, television dramas and films. His portrayal of Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation established him as one of the franchise’s defining performers, while his role as Professor X introduced him to a wider generation of superhero audiences.
For viewers interested in revisiting his Star Trek performances, Paramount+ is the primary streaming destination for Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Picard. His film appearances as Picard include Star Trek: Generations, Star Trek: First Contact, Star Trek: Insurrection and Star Trek: Nemesis. One of his notable television performances is the episode “The Inner Light” from The Next Generation, which follows Picard as he experiences an entire lifetime on an unfamiliar planet. First Contact offers a contrasting performance, placing the character in a conflict with the Borg. Together, these roles demonstrate the range Stewart brought to the character across television and film.
Stewart’s work as Professor X is another major part of his screen legacy. His appearances across the X-Men films include X-Men, X2, X-Men: The Last Stand, X-Men: Days of Future Past and Logan, with additional appearances in other franchise productions. Disney+ carries several of his X-Men performances, including Days of Future Past and Logan. The latter features Stewart as an ageing Charles Xavier, delivering one of the franchise’s more emotionally grounded performances. Beyond these major roles, viewers can also find him in David Lynch’s 1984 adaptation of Dune, where he played Gurney Halleck, and the 2015 thriller Green Room, in which he portrayed a violent extremist leader. These productions demonstrate his ability to move between heroic, dramatic and darker characters.
Stewart’s wider filmography also includes A Christmas Carol, in which he played Ebenezer Scrooge, and the television adaptation of Moby Dick, where he portrayed Captain Ahab. Streaming availability varies by country and can change as licensing agreements are updated, so viewers may need to check local platform catalogues before watching. His career spanned more than six decades, extending well beyond the science-fiction and superhero roles that made him internationally recognised. The renewed attention to his work offers audiences an opportunity to explore both his most familiar screen characters and the varied performances that shaped his career.
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