Jonathan Frakes, the renowned actor and director, holds the prestigious title of having worked on more iterations of “Star Trek” than any other person alive. Since joining the franchise in 1987 as part of the cast of “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” Frakes has played a crucial role in shaping the Star Trek universe.
Over the past 36 years, Frakes has contributed his talent and expertise to a whopping total of 221 episodes of various “Star Trek” series. His extensive resume includes work on beloved shows such as “Deep Space Nine,” “Voyager,” “Enterprise,” “Discovery,” “Picard,” and “Lower Decks,” just to name a few.
In a recent milestone, Frakes directed an episode of the highly anticipated series “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.” Titled “Those Old Scientists,” the episode brought together characters from the animated series “Star Trek: Lower Decks” and combined the comedic tone of the latter with the more grounded tone of “Strange New Worlds.” Frakes took the opportunity to showcase the interaction between the characters from the two shows, resulting in an unforgettable crossover experience.
During a candid interview, Frakes expressed his admiration for the cast of “Strange New Worlds” and their incredible ability to infuse humor into the episode. He also reminisced about some of his standout episodes, including his directorial debut on “Next Gen,” the gripping courtroom thriller “The Drumhead,” and the mind-bending plot of “Voyager’s” “Projections.”
However, Frakes didn’t shy away from sharing his disappointments. He expressed regret over the series finale of “Enterprise,” which featured characters from “Next Gen” and felt like an insult to the dedicated cast of “Enterprise.” Nevertheless, he continued to push the boundaries of his craft, directing emotionally charged episodes of “Discovery,” including the memorable end to its fifth season. Frakes also shared his unique experience directing an episode of “Picard” that demanded a significant amount of acting from him as well.
Unveiling his ambitious plans for the future, Frakes expressed keen interest in continuing the story from “Picard” Season 3 with a spin-off series called “Star Trek: Legacy.” It is his hope to further expand the captivating mythology of “Star Trek” and provide fans with even more thrilling adventures and thought-provoking narratives.
Jonathan Frakes’ undeniable dedication to the “Star Trek” franchise has cemented his status as a true legend in the industry. With his immense talent and passion for storytelling, fans can expect nothing short of excellence from his future endeavors in the ever-expanding universe of “Star Trek.”
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