Patrick Stewart’s much anticipated return to the Star Trek universe as Jean-Luc Picard is right around the corner. Though we still don’t know the title, the series will focus on the former Starfleet captain introduced to fans in The Next Generation but it’s not expected to feature any other much loved members of the Enterprise-D crew. The good news though is that one of them will be reuniting with their old co-star behind the camera instead.
It was previously rumored that Jonathan Frakes, known for playing Cmdr. William T. Riker, could direct a few episodes of the show as he’s been working in that capacity on Star Trek: Discovery for the past couple of years. Now, though, we’ve had this confirmed from the man himself, who revealed the news to TrekMovie.com. Frakes explained that he’s booked to direct what “they call the ‘second block,’ which is episodes three and four.”
Hanelle Culpepper is due to helm the first two episodes of the 10-part season and despite the directorial blocking, Frakes described the run as “like a ten-episode movie.” The actor/director also went on to explain how thrilled he is to be working on the show and how he admires Stewart for leading this exciting new production.
“Eighteen years later. I think the fans are going to be thrilled and excited and surprised. I have had the privilege of reading the first couple of episodes and I have spent some time with Patrick who is so engaged [laughs] Sorry. It’s wonderful. It’s smart. I’m excited about it. He is obviously more excited. His announcing of it at Las Vegas — which I believe was his idea —was very smart. You know he is 78, and he is going to be carrying the show on his shoulders, his considerable shoulders.”
Frakes continued to say how “blessed” he feels to have found success as a director, which has allowed him to return to the world of Star Trek in a fresh way.
“I’m excited for him and personally, I feel so blessed to back. It’s so ironic that I spent so many years trying to expand where I was working and I was lucky enough to get onto other types of shows. The directing has been a mitzvah for me—to learn another craft. And now I am deeply ensconced in the world I was in 31 years ago—and I’ve got to say—incredibly grateful for it, between The Orville, and Discovery and Picard. And hopefully the Empress Georgiou show.”
The Captain Picard show is expected to begin filming this very month and wrap in October. That timeframe suggests we’ll get it in early 2020 at the soonest, but no doubt it’ll be worth the wait to see Patrick Stewart’s first Star Trek comeback since 2002.