Unveiling the Epic Behind-the-Scenes Secrets: Jonathan Frakes Dishes on Tackling TNG's Spirited Cast

Summary

In relation to Star Trek: The Next Generation, Jonathan Frakes looks back on his experience as a director, characterizing the cast as lively and openly acknowledging his role in their playful antics.

During the production of Star Trek: Picard season 3, Frakes acknowledges the difficulties encountered by other directors in handling the cast, who were frequently engaged in persistent chatter and lacked concentration. However, even Frakes himself, along with the rest of the Star Trek: The Next Generation cast, maintained their animated demeanor on set, partaking in singing, dancing, and playful banter, much to the delight of the showrunner.

Star Trek legend Jonathan Frakes confirms the lively nature of the cast during the filming of Star Trek: The Next Generation. Frakes initially joined the Star Trek universe in 1987 when TNG premiered, portraying Commander William T. Riker, the First Officer of the USS Enterprise under the leadership of Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart). In the third season of TNG, Frakes took on the role of director, overseeing the Data-focused episode "The Offspring." Since then, Frakes has emerged as one of Star Trek's most adored and prolific directors.

In a pre-SAG-AFTRA strike interview with Variety, Jonathan Frakes discussed his directing experience on TNG. When reminiscing about his initial encounter in managing the TNG cast, he shared the following insights:

"Our cast is widely known for their lively and energetic nature. Whether it was for better or worse, I was one of the main instigators of such behavior on set. Some directors were not particularly fond of working with us because of our unruly nature. We would continue chatting right up until the cameras started rolling. Part of the reason for this was our thorough preparation, as Patrick [Stewart] set a high standard from the moment he arrived. When you came in the morning, you had to have already done your homework and be ready to go. The wise assistant directors even factored in extra time on days when we were all on the Enterprise bridge, knowing that we would need it to catch up, since we hadn't seen each other."

"I realized what these other directors had gone through and what a**holes we were. And I had not a leg to stand on in terms of asking them to behave."

TNG's Cast Didn't Change When Filming Star Trek: Picard Season 3

Filming for the third and final season of Star Trek: Picard saw the return of the cast of Star Trek: The Next Generation in 2021 and 2022. Despite the passing of time, it appeared that the TNG cast members had not undergone significant changes. Showrunner Terry Matalas shared his insights on working with the cast in an interview with Screen Rant in April 2023.

The cast of Star Trek: The Next Generation are known for their lively and energetic behavior on set. They sing, dance, joke around, and do all the things that they are encouraged to do. However, unlike a movie set, they have limited time as television production requires a faster pace. Despite this, the cast members formed deep friendships and often engage in humor and laughter when they are together. During the days of TNG, they filmed numerous episodes per season and spent significant time together on the Enterprise bridge. In Star Trek: Picard, their time on the bridge was shorter, and they split up to fulfill different parts of the mission. Nevertheless, it was a joyful experience to witness the reunion of the TNG cast. Whether or not they reunite on screen again, Star Trek: Picard season 3 serves as a heartfelt farewell to these cherished characters.

Source: Variety