Contrary to recent reports, Jonathan Frakes isn't done with Star Trek. While recent headlines may have stated that Frakes, who has been a franchise icon both in front of and behind the camera for almost 40 years, is finished working on the 60-year-old universe, he insists that isn't true. He discussed the situation at a recent panel at MegaCon in Orlando, Florida, with Star Trek: The Next Generation castmates Gates McFadden and Brent Spiner, moderated by Collider's Maggie Lovitt.
Frakes expressed his dismay with recent reports, which implied that he had directed his last episode of Star Trek, saying: "That was horrible! They implied on wherever it was that I was done with Star Trek, that Star Trek was done. There's no new shows out! I guarantee you if there's another new Star Trek out, I'll be first in line to direct it." Frakes went on to discuss his unofficial role in welcoming new cast members to the "Star Trek family," thanks to his extensive career behind the camera on Trek series both old and new. McFadden added that she had been happy to welcome new "crew members," having met many of them at conventions and events:
"They have cast shows so well. I love the people that they have cast on these shows. They are great human beings, they are fun to hang out with, and they are gifted and talented, so that's pretty cool."
Unfortunately, Frakes won't have the chance to direct any new Star Trek in the immediate future. The most recent Trek series, Starfleet Academy, was recently ended by Paramount+ following its upcoming second season, and no other new Trek series has yet been greenlit. Strange New Worlds will also return for two final seasons, which have also already wrapped filming.
What Star Trek Series Has Jonathan Frakes Worked On?
Frakes starred as USS Enterprise-D first officer Will Riker on all seven seasons of Star Trek: The Next Generation, and returned to guest star on Deep Space Nine, Voyager, and (controversially) Enterprise. He also starred in all four theatrical films with the Next Generation cast, and recently returned for guest appearances on Lower Decks and Picard. However, as important as he's been on-screen, he's been as important behind-the-scenes, as well. He made his TV directorial debut with the third-season Next Generation episode "The Offspring," and went on to helm seven more Next Generation episodes, three episodes apiece of Voyager and Deep Space Nine, eight episodes of Discovery, six episodes of Picard, two episodes of Strange New Worlds, and one episode of Starfleet Academy, as well as the theatrical films First Contact and Insurrection.
Stay tuned to Collider for future updates on Star Trek and more news out of MegaCon.