The Next Generation also portrayed a member of Jean-Luc’s family

David Tristan Birkin played young Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) in Star Trek: The Next Generation two years after playing Picard’s nephew René. Birkin has been acting since 1989, but currently works as an artist and writer, as well as a senior lecturer in photography at the London College of Communication. Much of Birkin’s photography centers on war and his work has been exhibited around the world. He also co-founded Visible Justice, a research center at the University of the Arts London that celebrates the combination of art and social justice.

In one of his first acting jobs, David Birkin played René Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation Season 4, Episode 2, “Family,” which finds Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) visiting his brother on Earth. A few years later, Birkin appeared in TNG Season 6, Episode 7, “Rascals”, as Captain Picard himself, after a transport accident turned him into a child. Birkin also appeared in adaptations of Les Misérables and The Scarlet Pimpernel, just like the movies Improvised, Charlotte Gray, and Sylvia.

David Tristan Birkin played Picard’s nephew Rene in Star Trek: TNG

Star Trek: The Next Generation Season 4, Episode 2 – “Family”

After being assimilated by the Borg in Star Trek: The Next Generation in the two-part “The Best of Both Worlds,” Captain Picard took a break from commanding the USS Enterprise-D to visit his family’s vineyard in LaBarre, France. As Jean-Luc headed to Chateau Picard, René was the first member of the family he met. The boy followed him down the road and the two walked together to the Picard family home. Although Jean-Luc and his brother, Robert (Jeremy Kemp), didn’t always get along, Jean-Luc became close to his nephew.

While Robert chose to remain on Earth and tend the family vineyards, Jean-Luc always dreamed of exploring the stars. René was a dreamer like his uncle, declaring that he was “I’ll be a starship captain” one day, although Robert did not particularly want his son to join Starfleet. Tragically, René’s future was cut short when Robert Picard’s entire family died in a fire in Star Trek Generations. Jean-Luc was understandably shocked and saddened by this news, as he regretted all the life experiences that René would never have.

David Tristan Birkin played young Jean-Luc in Star Trek: TNG

Star Trek: The Next Generation Season 6, Episode 7 – “Rascals”

David Birkin never returned as René, but made another appearance in Star Trek: The Next Generation like a young Jean-Luc. In “Rascals,” Captain Picard, Guinan (Whoopi Goldberg), Ensign Ro Laren (Michelle Forbes), and Keiko O’Brien (Rosalind Chao) were all transformed into 12-year-olds in a transportation accident. Although Picard kept his mind and memories the crew had difficulty taking a teenage captain seriously. Picard handed over command of the Enterprise to Commander William Riker (Jonathan Frakes) and even considered temporarily resigning his Starfleet commission.

When the Ferengi pirates boarded the Enterprise, Picard and the others “children” helped retake the ship. As part of the ruse, Picard pretended to be Riker’s son. When Jean-Luc slipped up by referring to his first officer as “Number One,” he hilariously covered up his mistake by adding: “He’s my number one dad.” Older and with a new haircut, David Birkin looked quite different in his two Star Trek: The Next Generation appearances to pass off René and Jean-Luc as two distinct people, while also establishing the obvious family resemblance between the two.