Stewart: Star Trek has reached final frontier

Patrick Stewart believes it's time to bring the hugely popular Star Trek franchise to a dignified close following the announcement its latest incarnation will be axed from American TV schedules later this year.

The British actor, who played Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation, has refused to join avid fans in the campaign to keep the sci-fi series alive.

He cites falling viewing figures as a less-than-subtle hint the show should be wrapped up.

The 64-year-old said: "I think it's probably time to wrap it all up. We've had a great run. Enterprise is great, but if you go on long enough the quality will be affected."