Jonathan Frakes outlines the idea for a Star Trek: Picard spinoff

Jonathan Frakes has returned to his character of Will Riker on the third season of Star Trek: Picard.

And from his recent interview with Emmy Magazine [via Trekmovie], Jonathan Frakes is in complete agreement with executive producer and showrunner Terry Matalas about the idea for a spin-off of Star Trek: Picard. Fans have been wondering if such a spin-off would include Seven of Nine and Raffi alone and be their show or if, with the introduction of new characters, they would be included. Frakes answers that question as he outlines the conversations he’s had with Matalas.

The idea would be a ship where the Picard characters are serving together. Those characters, introduced in the third season, would all have ties to the family from Star Trek: The Next Generation which would open the door for parents to return as legacy character appearances. On board the ship would be Seven of Nine as the captain with Raffi as her first officer. Jack Crusher would be on the bridge along with Geordi’s daughter, Sydney La Forge at the time. Though Riker and Troi’s daughter wouldn’t be aboard just yet, she would be graduating from Starfleet Academy and would, presumably, join the rest of the crew. Frakes suggests that he could be like Charlie in Charlie’s Angels.

"“I could be like Charlie in Charlie’s Angels, the admiral they check in with.”"

Jonathan Frakes seems excited about this idea, and there has been much talk of a Star Trek: Picard spin-off.

But the above scenario doesn’t include a familial connection to Worf so that could potentially lessen his time as a returning character unless they brought back his son, Alexander. And if they added a newly discovered android or Soji, this would have the makings for a good show.

I do wonder, though, why Seven of Nine would be the captain and not Raffi who has more experience with and in Starfleet. Seven of Nine was just allowed into Starfleet. Would it be willing to hand a ship over to her, especially after her display of loyalty to Admiral Picard which constituted insubordination?

While Raffi has had some problems, she is smart and has served at Picard’s side for years. It just seems like Seven could use some more time as a commander, which she just achieved, before she gains a ship of her own. Raffi has already put in the work and time, and I can’t see her working as second-in-command to Seven.

What do you think of this spin-off series idea? Do you think Seven of Nine should be the captain of the next ship?