Patrick Stewart Explains Why His New Memoir Is ‘the Frankest I Have Been About My Life’ (Exclusive)

Sir Patrick Stewart finally shares his story Star Trek and The X-Men actor gets candid in his long-awaited memoir, By doing so, now from the book gallery. Stewart delves deep into the trajectory of his career, from his humble beginnings in England to his current place in the Hollywood firmament. “When I see people holding a book in their hands, I am first amazed; and then, I feel how pleased I am that this exploration of my family life, my childhood, my growing passion for acting, has grown,” Stewart tells PEOPLE. A longtime book lover, he says, “As a kid, I would look in the children’s section, but I found that there’s not much there that I’d like to read. So I would sneak off to the regular section of the library for adults, where I would find books that interested me and sparked curiosity. ”

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‘Making It So’ by Patrick Stewart.

The idea of ​​writing his own story has been floated several times, but Stewart didn’t start writing until the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The isolation proved fruitful for his creative process, as Stewart’s literary agent assured him that the book “only needs you to create it.” “From the very day I sat down in front of my computer, I was lost in a world of childhood memories, all aspects of my earliest memories from the age of 18 months to two years, as well as later childhood,” says Stewart. “I was caught by it, so I continued. The first draft I presented to my literary agent was 750 pages.”

By doing so explores both the good and challenging aspects of Stewart’s life. He recalls his childhood in Yorkshire, where his father’s “dark moods” took over the family home after “demobilization” from World War II. He touches on “confused feelings” from childhood that continued into his early professional acting days. “There were passages in the book that were painful to write about, but I knew that by writing about them I was doing myself some good and that it would be good for me,” says Stewart.

Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart. Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic

The actor also shared with PEOPLE some of the highlights of his career — his friendship with him The X-Men colleague Sir Ian McKellen is one of them. The two were members of the Royal Shakespeare Company during the same period, but did not work together until the superhero film franchise, when they were given adjacent announcements.

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“When we worked late into the day – which we often did – a glass of wine and a bottle would be opened,” recalls Stewart. “As this relationship grew, I began to love and respect him very much. He became perhaps my closest friend.”

Stewart also recalls in the book that McKellen “almost physically prevented” him from signing his Star Trek contract, and not to give up theater for TV.

Patrick Stewart and the cast of ‘Star Trek: The Next Generation’.

Paramount Television/Kobal/Shutterstock

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While writing has been a good experience for him, Stewart said he can’t wait to get back on stage (his last role was as Hirst in a 2016 Lyceum Theater production of Nobody’s land). By doing so made Stewart wonder “if there’s any possibility that I’ll get another chance to write.” “This is the most honest I’ve ever said about my life, my passions, my relationships,” Stewart says. “I have a small desire that the book will provide some insights and some encouragement to others.”

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Doing So: A Memoir it is now available wherever books are sold.

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Source: HIS Education