In 1984, Patrick Stewart shared the screen with a rock superstar. He had no idea who Sting was

Patrick Stewart recalled that he did not recognise Sting as a famous musician when they worked together on David Lynch’s 1984 film Dune. His bemusement on set offers an amusing glimpse of Stewart’s distance from popular music, while Sting’s casting as the menacing Feyd-Rautha suited the film’s mix of glamour and menace.

Sting had already appeared in Quadrophenia and Brimstone and Treacle before taking the role. Stewart said he asked what instrument Sting played, misunderstood “bass” as a large instrument he carried around, and thought The Police meant an actual police band. Sting later said he took Dune chiefly for the chance to work with Lynch, despite reservations about appearing in a major film.