Gene Roddenberryis, of course, synonymous with the inception ofStar Trekand much of its development up to his death. Another name that has cemented itself inStar Trek’sstoried history isJonathan Frakes. Frakes first appeared on-screen inStar Trek: The Next Generationas Commander Will Riker. He was Captain Jean-Luc Picard’s (Patrick Stewart) Number One, or First Officer.
It wouldn’t take long for Frakes to expand his role in theStar Trekuniverse. He got his first opportunity to sitbehindthe camera in Season 3 ofThe Next Generation, directing the episode “The Offspring.” In the episode, the android, Data, (Brett Spiner) wants to create his own android child. Frakes would go on to direct 7 more episodes ofThe Next Generationand sprinkle his chops as director acrossStar Trek: VoyagerandStar Trek: Deep Space Nine. Frakes also directed twoStar Trekfeature films:First ContactandInsurrection.
Jonathan Frakes Is Not Pumping the Brakes on Directing
More recently, Frakes has returned toStar Trek, not only reprising his role as Will Riker inStar Trek: Picard,but as a director. He directed 6 episodes ofPicardas well as several episodes ofStar Trek: Discovery. Last year, Frakes had the opportunity to direct theStrange New WorldsandLower Deckscrossover episode “Those Old Scientists.” Two of the normally animated Startfleet Officers Beckett Mariner and Brad Boimle are sent back to the 23rd Century, in live action. There, played by their voice actorsTawny NewsomeandJack Quaid, they meet a number of characters, including Spock (Ethan Peck), Christopher Pike (Anson Mount) and others on the USS Enterprise.
Speaking with Editor-in-Chief of Collider,Steve Weintraubat the Collider Media Studio, Newsome explained what it was like working with theStar Treklegend. Working on meshing the tones of the two shows proved troublesome, but Newsome says “All props also go to Jonathan Frakes for helping guide that so expertly.” She says, “I don’t mind being told to tone it down when it’s Jonathan Frakes. Most people, I’m like, ‘Mmm, disagree.'” Newsome explains that while Frakes didn’t tell her to “tone it down” in so many words, “he did say, ‘Go harder.’ At one point, he said, ‘Please say the script.’ He said, ‘The writers would really like for you to say the words on the page.'”
Over the years, Frakes has directed outside the world ofStar Trek, sometimes staying in the world of Science Fiction, sometimes not. He’s directed episodes of the crime dramaCastlebut also lent his directing toThe Orville.
You can watch theStrange New Worldsepisode “Those Old Scientists” on Paramount+
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds follows Captain Christopher Pike (played by Anson Mount) and the crew of the starship USS Enterprise (NCC-1701) in the 23rd century as they explore new worlds throughout the galaxy in the decade before Star Trek: The Original Series.
Watch on Paramount+
