Jonathan Frakes returning to Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is a great thing

Jonathan Frakes is set to return to the world of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds

Jonathan Frakes is one of the most legendary on-screen actors the franchise has. Starring as William Riker across seven seasons of Star Trek: The Next Generation, featuring in two, then starring in a third season of Picard, and not only starring in all four TNG films but directing two, Frakes has arguably become as valuable to the brand as either Patrick Stewart or William Shatner.

Maybe, in a practical sense, he’s become more valuable as Frakes is one of Trek’s greatest directors on top of his acting. Few people can claim they’ve directed one of the most iconic films in the history of the franchise like Frakes with First Contact. And since that 1996 smash hit, Frakes has continued directing.

He’s done work on just about every show from The Next Generation all the way through to Strange New Worlds and he’s set to return to Captain Christopher Pike’s ship for season three.

Jonathan Frakes confirms his return to Star Trek: Strange New Worlds for season three

Frakes confirmed his return to Strange New Worlds earlier this month, telling Cinemablend;

"I’m going back up to Toronto to direct on Strange New Worlds."

And for fans of Strange New Worlds, this should be a celebrated move. He last directed the crossover episode “Those Old Scientists”, arguably one of the most well-received episodes in the series’ history and if he’s being brought back for another stint with the SNW cast and crew, they must have something big in store for him.

Frakes understands the Trek product as good if not better than anyone alive today and he knows what fans are looking for, so if Strange New Worlds is giving him another episode to handle, then they must expect big things for that episode.