David Tristan Birkin portrayed a young Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) in Star Trek: The Next Generation two years after he had played Picard's nephew, René. Birkin has been acting since 1989, but he currently works as an artist and writer, as well as a Senior Lecturer in Photography at 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 hub at the University of the Arts London that celebrates the combination of art with social justice.
In one of his first acting jobs, David Birkin portrayed René Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation season 4, episode 2, "Family," which sees Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) visit his brother on Earth. A couple of years later, Birkin popped up in TNG season 6, episode 7, "Rascals," as Captain Picard himself, after a transporter accident transformed him into a child. Birkin has also appeared in adaptations of Les Misérables and The Scarlet Pimpernel, as well as the films Impromptu, 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 the Star Trek: The Next Generation two-parter, "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 made his way to Chateau Picard, René was the first family member he encountered. The young boy had been following him along the road and the two walked to the Picard family house together. Although Jean-Luc and his brother, Robert (Jeremy Kemp), did not always get along, Jean-Luc grew close with his nephew.
While Robert chose to remain on Earth and tend to the family's vineyard, Jean-Luc had always dreamed of exploring the stars. René was a dreamer like his uncle, declaring that he was "going to 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 mourned all of the life experiences that René was never going to 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 he did make another appearance in Star Trek: The Next Generation as 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 transporter accident. Although Picard retained his mind and memories, the crew had difficulty taking an adolescent captain seriously. Picard turned over command of the Enterprise to Commander William Riker (Jonathan Frakes) and even considered temporarily resigning his Starfleet commission.
"He's my number one Dad."
When Ferengi pirates boarded the Enterprise, Picard and the other "kids" helped retake the ship. As part of their 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 his blunder by adding: "He's my number one Dad." Older and with a new haircut, David Birkin looked different enough in his two Star Trek: The Next Generation appearances to pass René and Jean-Luc off as two separate people, while also establishing the obvious family resemblance between the two.
