Star Trek: Starfleet Academy has officially completed production on its second season, and as the series takes its final bows on the Paramount+ soundstages in Toronto, one question is on every Trekkie’s mind: Where does franchise legend Jonathan Frakes fit into all of this?
The man who made Commander William T. Riker a household name has been the connective tissue between generations of Star Trek for nearly four decades. With the show now wrapped and the franchise potentially facing an uncertain future, fans are eager to know if Frakes will be beaming back aboard for more.
Spoiler alert: The news is actually pretty great for those of us who still get chills thinking about The Next Generation.
Frakes Has Already Made His Mark on Season 1
Let’s rewind to what Frakes has already contributed to this new chapter. Long before the first trailer dropped, Frakes confirmed he was stepping behind the camera for the penultimate episode of Season 1. In interviews late last year, he described the experience with the kind of enthusiasm you’d expect from someone who genuinely still loves playing in this sandbox .
Speaking to TrekMovie.com on the All Access Star Trek podcast, Frakes opened up about what drew him to the project. It wasn’t just the paycheck or the franchise loyalty—it was the tone of the script. He emphasized that Starfleet Academy has “lots of levity,” a quality he actively looks for in any Trek script he directs . For fans who’ve worried that modern Trek has lost its sense of fun, this was music to our ears.
“I search out the levity in any script, especially in the Treks… because there’s so much… And on Academy it’s there,” Frakes explained. “And it helps the rhythm of the cutting and the storytelling” .
Directing the Next Generation of Cadets
Frakes directed the ninth episode of the ten-episode first season, putting him in the crucial position of setting up the finale. Given his extensive directing resume—which includes Star Trek: First Contact, multiple episodes of The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, Discovery, Picard, and Strange New Worlds—handing him the reins for such a pivotal episode was a no-brainer for showrunners Alex Kurtzman and Noga Landau .
But here’s where it gets interesting for the franchise’s future. Frakes didn’t just talk about the technical aspects of filming. He gushed about the cast, particularly Oscar winner Holly Hunter (who plays Captain Nahla Ake) and Paul Giamatti, who steps in as the season’s villain .
During the Indiana Comic Convention in March 2025, Frakes hinted at the scale of the production, joking that Starfleet Academy features some of the largest sets in Star Trek history . He also made a point to address the fanbase directly, suggesting that despite the “young cadet” premise, the show isn’t just aimed at young adults—it’s crafted for the core fandom too .
The Season 2 Wrap: Is Frakes Involved Again?
So, with Season 2 officially wrapped as of late February 2026, will Frakes return? .
As of now, there has been no official confirmation that Jonathan Frakes is attached to direct any episodes of Season 2. However, history suggests we shouldn’t count him out.
Cast members including Kerrice Brooks, Karim Diané, and Gina Yashere have confirmed they’ve wrapped filming . Meanwhile, Alex Kurtzman himself directed the Season 2 finale, just as he helmed the first two episodes of Season 1 . But the second season consists of multiple episodes, and the production team hasn’t released the full list of directors yet.
Given Frakes’ track record—he’s directed episodes of nearly every live-action Trek series since the 90s—it would be shocking if Kurtzman and company didn’t tap him again. He’s become the franchise’s secret weapon for blending character moments with visual spectacle, and his ability to pull strong performances from young actors is well-documented across his work on shows like Leverage: Redemption and The Orville .
What This Means for the Future of Trek
The timing of the Season 2 wrap comes at a fascinating crossroads for the franchise. For the first time since 2016, there is no Star Trek series currently in production. With Strange New Worlds having wrapped its fifth and final season, and Starfleet Academy now done filming its second, the pipeline is empty .
This has led to speculation about whether Paramount’s new owners, Skydance Media, will renew Kurtzman’s contract or take the franchise in a new direction . Kurtzman has expressed hope that Starfleet Academy will run for four seasons to complete the cadets’ four-year journey . If that happens, you can bet your comm badge that Frakes will be back behind the camera at some point.
The man himself hasn’t announced any retirement plans. In fact, recent interviews show he’s as active as ever, even joking about wanting to direct a Star Trek musical . He remains one of the most passionate ambassadors the franchise has ever had.
Why Frakes’ Involvement Matters
Let’s be real for a second. The reason fans are so laser-focused on Frakes’ involvement isn’t just nostalgia—though that’s part of it. It’s because he represents a through-line of quality. When Frakes directs a Trek episode, you know you’re getting strong character work, a touch of humor, and a respect for canon that doesn’t feel like fan service.
His comments about Starfleet Academy having a consistent tone with plenty of funny moments should reassure anyone who feared this would be a moody, teen-angst drama . With comedic talents like Tawny Newsome in the writer’s room and Tig Notaro returning as Jett Reno, the series has all the ingredients for something special.
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The Bottom Line
Will Jonathan Frakes return for Star Trek: Starfleet Academy Season 2? While we wait for the official director list to drop, the smart money is on “yes.” He’s already directed one episode, he’s spoken highly of the cast and writers, and he has no plans to slow down. Even if he’s not announced for Season 2, there’s always Season 3—assuming the cadets get their full four-year run.
For now, fans can catch Frakes’ directorial work in the back half of Season 1, which wraps up on March 12, 2026 . And if history teaches us anything, it’s that you can’t keep a good Riker down.
What do you think? Are you excited to see Frakes’ take on the new cadets, or are you hoping he steps in front of the camera for a cameo? Drop your thoughts in the comments!
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