There Was an Animal in Star Trek That Patrick Stewart Said Was Breaking the Rules of the TV Series
Patrick Stewart did not like the presence of a certain animal on the set. He thought it was breaking Star Trek rules.
There was a conflict on the set of Star Trek between Patrick Stewart and the producers. At the center of the dispute, interestingly enough, was a fish, Captain Picard's pet, whose presence on the set bothered the actor. He claimed that it conflicted with Star Trek's theme of equality and respect for all creatures. So he didn't understand how his character could hold a living creature like a fish captive.
The story about Stewart's conflict with the producers in 2022 was quoted during an interview by Ronny Cox, who provided the perspective of a colleague on the set.
Patrick Stewart always hated the fish in the ready room. He said, “We’re doing a series about the dignity of all creatures in the universe and we’ve got captured fish in the ready room?” But the producers like shooting through the fish swimming around there.
Despite Patrick Stewart's protests, the producers did not comply with his wishes for a long time, and the fish was present in the series until Season 6, only then did it disappear. Stewart, who is known for his protection of animal rights in his private life, was certainly fine with the fact that in Star Trek they finally said goodbye to the fish, whose place, in his opinion, was not the set. Especially since the actor felt it conflicted with the message the production was conveying.
Stewart had a complicated relationship on the set of Star Trek, not only with the fish, but also with another actor who appeared in Star Trek: Nemesis. Picard actor recounted that Tom Hardy was not set on becoming friends with anyone in the cast and did not talk to anyone.
