One of Patrick Stewart's most iconic roles is that of Captain Jean-Luc Picard in the Star Trek franchise. But if he had listened to his friend Ian McKellen's advice, he might not done it.

　　In his new memoir, Making It So: A Memoir, Stewart wrote that McKellen nearly "bodily prevented" him from signing the contract to appear in Star Trek, according to Variety. "'No!' he said. 'No, you must not do that. You must not.'"

　　Just received the very first copy of my memoir, Making It So.

　　Available October 3 ➡️ https://t.co/nRy2LWkIu9 #MakingItSo @GalleryBooks @simonschusterUK @SimonSchusterCA @SimonSchusterIN pic.twitter.com/6LW6gTaeKJ

　　— Patrick Stewart (@SirPatStew) September 27, 2023

　　Before Stewart became a household name in film and television, he was an established, award-winning actor in the Royal Shakespeare Company. Stewart said that McKellen, a theater actor as well, told him, "You have too much important theater work to do. You can't throw that away to do TV."

　　Stewart said he generally trusted McKellen's advice at the time, but he stood his ground and signed the contract for Star Trek anyway. "This time I had to tell him that I felt theater would return to my life whenever I was ready for it, whereas an offer of the lead role in an American TV series might never come again," he said.

　　Stewart wrote that McKellen "shook his head sadly" when Stewart made his intentions clear, but McKellen ultimately "wished me good luck and gave me a big hug." Later in life, Stewart said McKellen "acknowledged that he was wrong and I was right." Stewart and McKellen continue to be good friends to this day and have shared many delightful photos together on social media.

　　Also in the memoir, Stewart admitted that he was a "bastard" during the filming of The Next Generation Season 1. Making It So: A Memoir is available to buy now.