The Most Epic Fantasy and Sci-Fi Website

Star Trek: Picard Originally Didn't Bring Back Jonathan Frakes as Will Riker


There is little doubt that one of the coolest things about Star Trek: Picard is the return of beloved characters like Data, Seven of Nine, Hugh, and Will Riker. However, it looks like Riker wasn't even part of the original plans for the new series. Jonathan Frakes revealed that he didn't know his character would be brought back until much later.

Frakes recently spoke to IGN where he discussed his directorial work on the recent episodes of Picard. In addition to that, the Star Trek: The Next Generation actor admitted that Riker wasn't going to be a part of Patrick Stewart's new series in the original plans.

"My understanding is that when the series was broken - meaning the first 10 episodes were broken in terms of story - there was no Riker," Frakes said. "And that somewhere in the writing of the second half of the season, they found a way to include him. That's how it's been explained to me."

Interestingly, Frakes continued by explaining how he already knew that Brent Spiner, Jeri Ryan, and Jonathan Del Arco were all set to return in Picard. Nevertheless, he was still pleasantly surprised when he learned that Riker will return.

"When I was on board when I was doing four and five, as a matter of fact ... I knew Brent was there, obviously, because that was quite clear, because he was in the pilot, and I obviously had Jeri in my episodes and Jonathan Del Arco. But I thought that was the extent of the callbacks to that era. So I was as surprised as you," Frakes said.

We have yet to see Riker in Picard but there is little doubt that his return will be an exciting one. After all, Riker will be brought back alongside Marina Sirtis' Deanna Troi. Needless to say, we can't wait to see these characters again soon.

The first season of Star Trek: Picard airs on CBS All Access every Thursday nights.

Related: Star Trek: Picard Episode 5 Had The Most Shocking Betrayal

For more articles like this, take a look at our Star Trek page.