Star Trek: The Next Generation, Leverage, Family Guy: Jonathan Frakes, TV Series Finale Podcast #44

Jonathan Frakes is best known for playing Commander William T. Riker on the Star Trek: The Next Generation TV show. During his seven seasons on that series, he became a director and directed several episodes of TNG. He continued to act and went on to helm episodes of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Star Trek: Enterprise, Star Trek: Voyager, Diagnosis: Murder, and Roswell. Also for television, Frakes has directed two of the Librarian TV movies; Return to King Solomon’s Mines and The Curse of the Judas Chalice, starring Noah Wylie and Bob Newhart.

On the big screen, he’s helmed two successful Next Generation movies (Star Trek: Insurrection and Star Trek: First Contact), Thunderbirds, and Clockstoppers.

If not in movies, would you like to see TNG castmembers return? Yes, in a TV spin-off show Yes, in an animated series Yes, in made-for-DVD movies Nah. Their time has past. View Results  Loading ...

Frakes’ most recent directing project is an episode of TNT’s Leverage. The series follows a former insurance investigator and a group of criminals who pull off sophisticated cons against other criminals. It features the talents of Timothy Hutton, Gina Bellman, Christian Kane, Beth Riesgraf, and Aldis Hodge.

Tonight’s episode, “The Juror #6 Job,” is a reunion of sorts. While Frakes is behind the camera, Trek veterans Brent Spiner (TNG’s Data), Armin Shimerman (DS9’s Quark), Kitty Swink (DS9’s Luaran) all guest star.

In this audio interview, Frakes talks about directing his second episode of Leverage, the importance of a tight cast ensemble, directing movies versus TV shows, working with the Trek veterans again, the last episode of TNG, the future of TNG in light of JJ Abrams’ upcoming Trek blockbuster, the Next Generation cast’s upcoming appearance on Family Guy, and more. Tune in!

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