---
name: "Jonathan Frakes"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/jonathan-frakes"
fi1m_id: "jonathan-frakes"
imdb_id: "nm0000408"
tmdb_id: 2388
wikidata_id: "Q346595"
roles: ["Director","Actor"]
born: "19 August 1952"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 13
average_fi1m_score: 72
average_as: "director"
average_over: 10
updated: "2026-09-26T14:50:27.185655+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Jonathan Frakes

## Identity

Jonathan Frakes

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/jonathan-frakes
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** jonathan-frakes
- **IMDb ID:** nm0000408
- **TMDB ID:** 2388
- **Wikidata ID:** Q346595
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonathan_Frakes, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q346595, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000408/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/2388

Director and actor. Born 19 August 1952 in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Director, Actor
- **Born:** 19 August 1952, Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, USA
- **Active:** 1987–present
- **Also known as:** Jonathan Scott Frakes , جاناتان فریکس
- **Titles on Fi1m:** 13: 3 acting, 10 directing
- **Frequently works with:** [Patrick Stewart](https://film.one/person/patrick-stewart.md), [Brent Spiner](https://film.one/person/brent-spiner.md), [LeVar Burton](https://film.one/person/levar-burton.md), [Michael Dorn](https://film.one/person/michael-dorn.md), [Peter Lauritson](https://film.one/person/peter-lauritson.md), [Rick Berman](https://film.one/person/rick-berman.md), [Ronald D. Moore](https://film.one/person/ronald-d-moore.md), [Alex Kurtzman](https://film.one/person/alex-kurtzman.md)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 72, as director, over 10 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1980s 84 (1), 1990s 71 (5), 2000s 63 (3), 2020s 68 (4)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 71 to 70 across 8 titles
- **Score spread:** 3 at 80+, 5 at 60–79, 2 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 2 of 3 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Sci-Fi & Fantasy 7, Drama 6, Action & Adventure 5, Action 2, Adventure 2, Science Fiction 2
- **Screen time:** 4 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $259m across 2 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonathan_Frakes, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q346595, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000408/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/2388

## Coming up

- *A Grand Biltmore Christmas* (2026-12-05), as Winston

## Streaming the US now

- **Apple TV:** [*Star Trek: Strange New Worlds*](https://film.one/tv/star-trek-strange-new-worlds.md) (77), [*Star Trek: Starfleet Academy*](https://film.one/tv/star-trek-starfleet-academy.md) (76), [*Star Trek: Picard*](https://film.one/tv/star-trek-picard.md) (64), [*Star Trek: Nemesis*](https://film.one/film/star-trek-nemesis.md) (50)
- **Hulu:** [*Star Trek: First Contact*](https://film.one/film/star-trek-first-contact.md) (82), [*Star Trek: Insurrection*](https://film.one/film/star-trek-insurrection.md) (58), [*Star Trek: Generations*](https://film.one/film/star-trek-generations.md) (48)
- **Paramount+:** [*Star Trek: Deep Space Nine*](https://film.one/tv/star-trek-deep-space-nine.md) (85), [*Star Trek: The Next Generation*](https://film.one/tv/star-trek-the-next-generation.md) (84)
- **Disney+:** [*Castle*](https://film.one/tv/castle.md) (73)
- **HBO Max:** [*Stuart Fails to Save the Universe*](https://film.one/tv/stuart-fails-to-save-the-universe.md) (57)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Jonathan Frakes

> Jonathan Frakes keeps *Star Trek* attentive to its characters while handling the action with assurance. We recommend his steady, actor-minded direction, though *Starfleet Academy* also shows the limits of what a sympathetic director can fix.

Jonathan Frakes gives emotional scenes proper attention alongside the action in *Star Trek*. That matters: action becomes less involving when we have stopped caring who gets through it. We warmed to *Star Trek: Starfleet Academy* (2026) because its young ensemble makes familiar adolescent troubles matter alongside the diplomacy. Holly Hunter steadies the school drama, and its warmth suits the character-led television Frakes handles well. He is one of its directors, so we would not credit him with all of that.

His directing began with *The Offspring* (1990), a Data-centred episode of *Star Trek: The Next Generation*. Already playing William T. Riker, he had prepared by shadowing directors on the series. He directed eight episodes before moving into features with *Star Trek: First Contact* (1996), followed by *Star Trek: Insurrection* (1998). *First Contact* gives clear evidence of his ability to handle substantial action and visual effects. The poorly received *Thunderbirds* (2004) interrupted his progress in features, and television became the more sustained part of his directing work.

Across *Star Trek: Discovery* and *Star Trek: Picard*, he has adapted to different production styles while retaining a recognisable *Star Trek* tone. His collaborators include fellow director Olatunde Osunsanmi, on two-part handoffs, and Robert Picardo among the actors. He is known for efficient shooting and a collaborative approach to cast and crew. That suits television in which actors and directors must keep familiar characters interesting across different series.

*Starfleet Academy* also makes the qualifications plain: the drama is occasionally awkward, and some visual effects need work. More importantly, its young ensemble deserves a fairer share of the attention, a weakness that warmth cannot quite make us overlook. Try it if the school setting appeals, but expect to wish it spent more time with some of its pupils.

## Biography

Jonathan Frakes is an American actor and director. He was born on 19 August 1952 in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania.

He is best known for playing Commander William T. Riker in the television series *Star Trek: The Next Generation* (1987–1994) and the subsequent feature films. Frakes began directing during the third season of *The Next Generation* and went on to direct the films *Star Trek: First Contact* (1996) and *Star Trek: Insurrection* (1998), as well as episodes of later *Star Trek* series including *Deep Space Nine*, *Voyager*, *Discovery*, *Strange New Worlds*, *Picard* and *Star Trek: Starfleet Academy* (2026). He has also directed episodes of series such as *Leverage*, *Burn Notice* and *Castle*, and the feature films *Clockstoppers* (2002) and *Thunderbirds* (2004).

Frakes has been married to actress Genie Francis since 1988.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, space.com.*

## On Fi1m (13)

### Performed in (3)

- *Star Trek: Nemesis* (2002), Fi1m 50, as Commander William T. Riker — [page](https://film.one/film/star-trek-nemesis.md)
- *Futurama* (1999), Fi1m 81, as Jonathan Frakes (voice) — [page](https://film.one/tv/futurama.md)
- *Star Trek: Generations* (1994), Fi1m 48, as Commander William T. Riker — [page](https://film.one/film/star-trek-generations.md)

### Directed (10) — the average rests on these

- *Star Trek: Starfleet Academy* (2026), Fi1m 76, Director — [page](https://film.one/tv/star-trek-starfleet-academy.md)
- *Stuart Fails to Save the Universe* (2026), Fi1m 57, Director — [page](https://film.one/tv/stuart-fails-to-save-the-universe.md)
- *Star Trek: Strange New Worlds* (2022), Fi1m 77, Director — [page](https://film.one/tv/star-trek-strange-new-worlds.md)
- *Star Trek: Picard* (2020), Fi1m 64, Director — [page](https://film.one/tv/star-trek-picard.md)
- *Castle* (2009), Fi1m 73, Director — [page](https://film.one/tv/castle.md)
- *Dollhouse* (2009), Fi1m 66, Director — [page](https://film.one/tv/dollhouse.md)
- *Star Trek: Insurrection* (1998), Fi1m 58, as Commander William T. Riker — [page](https://film.one/film/star-trek-insurrection.md)
- *Star Trek: First Contact* (1996), Fi1m 82, as Commander William T. Riker — [page](https://film.one/film/star-trek-first-contact.md)
- *Star Trek: Deep Space Nine* (1993), Fi1m 85, Director — [page](https://film.one/tv/star-trek-deep-space-nine.md)
- *Star Trek: The Next Generation* (1987), Fi1m 84, as William T. Riker — [page](https://film.one/tv/star-trek-the-next-generation.md)

## Complete filmography (124)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *A Grand Biltmore Christmas* (2026), as Winston
- *Stuart Fails to Save the Universe* (2026), series, Director — Fi1m 57, [page](https://film.one/tv/stuart-fails-to-save-the-universe.md)
- *Star Trek: Starfleet Academy* (2026), series, Director — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/tv/star-trek-starfleet-academy.md)
- *The Mighty Nein* (2025), series, as Zeenoth (voice)
- *A Biltmore Christmas* (2023), as Winston
- *Star Trek: very Short Treks* (2023), series, as Riker (voice)
- *Star Trek: Picard - The IMAX Live Series Finale Event* (2023), as Captain William Riker
- *Star Trek: Strange New Worlds* (2022), series, Director — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/tv/star-trek-strange-new-worlds.md)
- *Catwoman: Hunted* (2022), as King Faraday / Boss Moxie (voice)
- *Leverage: Redemption* (2021), series, Director
- *The Astronauts* (2020), series, Director
- *Star Trek: Lower Decks* (2020), series, as William T. Riker (voice)
- *Star Trek: Picard* (2020), series, as William Riker · Director — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/tv/star-trek-picard.md)
- *How to Sell Drugs Online (Fast)* (2019), series, as Jonathan Frakes
- *Devil's Gate* (2018), as Sheriff Gruenwell
- *The Gifted* (2017), series, Director
- *Star Trek: Discovery* (2017), series, Director
- *The Orville* (2017), series, Director
- *The Arrangement* (2017), series, Director
- *Angie Tribeca* (2016), series, as Commandant Van Zandt — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/tv/angie-tribeca.md)
- *Powers* (2015), series, Director
- *Hindsight* (2015), series, Director
- *The Librarians* (2014), series, Director, Supervising Producer, Co-Executive Producer
- *Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce* (2014), series, Director
- *Star Trek: The Next Generation - All Good Things...* (2014), as Cmdr. Will Riker
- *Finding Carter* (2014), series, Director
- *Star Trek: The Next Generation - Chain of Command* (2014), as Cmdr. Will Riker
- *Star Trek: The Next Generation - Unification* (2013), as Cmdr. Will Riker
- *Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.* (2013), series, Director
- *Star Trek: The Next Generation - Redemption* (2013), as Cmdr. Will Riker
- *King & Maxwell* (2013), series, Director
- *Hit the Floor* (2013), series, Director
- *Star Trek: The Next Generation - The Best of Both Worlds* (2013), as Cmdr. William Riker (archive footage)
- *Megaquake 10.0* (2012), as Narrator (voice)
- *Lee & Grant* (2011), as Narrator (voice)
- *Falling Skies* (2011), series, Director
- *Switched at Birth* (2011), series, Director
- *Truth Be Told* (2011), Radio Sound Engineer, Director
- *Bar Karma* (2011), series, Director
- *The Glades* (2010), series, Director
- *Persons Unknown* (2010), series, Director
- *The Good Guys* (2010), series, Director
- *V* (2009), series, Director
- *NCIS: Los Angeles* (2009), series, as Navy Commander Dr. Stanfill (uncredited) · Director
- *The Super Hero Squad Show* (2009), series, as High Evolutionary (voice)
- *Glenn Martin, DDS* (2009), series, as Peter (voice)
- *That's Impossible!* (2009), series, as Narrator (voice)
- *Make It or Break It* (2009), series, Director
- *Castle* (2009), series, as Richard Castle Fan · Director — Fi1m 73, [page](https://film.one/tv/castle.md)
- *Dollhouse* (2009), series, Director — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/tv/dollhouse.md)
- *Leverage* (2008), series, Director
- *The Librarian: The Curse of the Judas Chalice* (2008), as Trombone Player in Marching Band (uncredited) · Director
- *Masters of Science Fiction* (2007), series, Director, Creator
- *Burn Notice* (2007), series, Director
- *The Librarian: Return to King Solomon's Mines* (2006), as Debra's Husband · Director
- *Criminal Minds* (2005), series, as Dr. Arthur Malcolm — Fi1m 60, [page](https://film.one/tv/criminal-minds.md)
- *American Dad!* (2005), series, as (voice)
- *Thunderbirds* (2004), Director
- *Star Trek: Nemesis* (2002), as Commander William T. Riker — Fi1m 50, [page](https://film.one/film/star-trek-nemesis.md)
- *The Twilight Zone* (2002), series, Director
- *Clockstoppers* (2002), as Bystander · Director
- *Star Trek: Enterprise* (2001), series, as Commander William T. Riker
- *Ghosts Caught on Tape: Fact or Fiction?* (2000), as Narrator (voice)
- *Roswell* (1999), series, as Jonathan Frakes (uncredited) · Director, Producer
- *The Lot* (1999), series, as Roland White
- *Dying to Live* (1999), as Will · Executive Producer
- *Futurama* (1999), series, as Jonathan Frakes (voice) — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/tv/futurama.md)
- *Family Guy* (1999), series, as Commander William T. Riker (voice), Jonathan Frakes (voice) — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/tv/family-guy.md)
- *Star Trek: Insurrection* (1998), as Commander William T. Riker · Director — Fi1m 58, [page](https://film.one/film/star-trek-insurrection.md)
- *Oh Baby* (1998), series, as Don
- *Star Trek: First Contact* (1996), as Commander William T. Riker · Director — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/star-trek-first-contact.md)
- *Brothers of the Frontier* (1996), as Ben Frye
- *The Paranormal Borderline* (1996), series, as Host
- *3rd Rock from the Sun* (1996), series, as Larry
- *Time Travel Through the Bible* (1995), as Time Traveler
- *Gargoyles the Movie: The Heroes Awaken* (1995), as Xanatos (voice)
- *Star Trek: Voyager* (1995), series, as Commander William T. Riker · Director
- *University Hospital* (1995), series, Director
- *Cybill* (1995), series, as Jonathan Frakes
- *Star Trek: Generations* (1994), as Commander William T. Riker — Fi1m 48, [page](https://film.one/film/star-trek-generations.md)
- *Gargoyles* (1994), series, as David Xanatos (voice)
- *Phish: Tracking* (1994), as Music
- *Camp Nowhere* (1994), as Bob Spiegel (uncredited)
- *Journey's End - The Saga of Star Trek: The Next Generation* (1994), as Host / Self
- *Diagnosis: Murder* (1993), series, Director
- *Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman* (1993), series, as Tim Lake
- *Star Trek: Deep Space Nine* (1993), series, as Thomas Riker · Director — Fi1m 85, [page](https://film.one/tv/star-trek-deep-space-nine.md)
- *Roswell: Coverups & Close Encounters* (1992), as Narrator (voice)
- *Wings* (1990), series, as Gavin Rutledge
- *The Cover Girl and the Cop* (1989), as Joshua Boyleston
- *Star Trek: The Next Generation* (1987), series, as William T. Riker · Director — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/star-trek-the-next-generation.md)
- *Nutcracker: Money, Madness & Murder* (1987), series, as Rosen
- *Dream West* (1986), series, as Lt. Archibald Gillespie
- *Matlock* (1986), series, as Prosecutor Mr. Park
- *North and South* (1985), series, as Stanley Hazard
- *The Twilight Zone* (1985), series, as Steve (segment "But Can She Type?")
- *Paper Dolls* (1984), series, as Sandy Parris
- *Highway to Heaven* (1984), series, as Arthur Krock, Jr.
- *Five Mile Creek* (1983), series, as Adam Scott
- *Bare Essence* (1983), series, as Marcus Marshall
- *Bare Essence* (1982), series, as Marcus Marshall
- *Voyagers!* (1982), series, as Charles Lindbergh
- *Hotel* (1982), series, as Ted Travers
- *Falcon Crest* (1981), series, as Damon Ross
- *The Fall Guy* (1981), series, as Connors
- *Here's Boomer* (1981), series, as Philip
- *Harper Valley P.T.A.* (1981), series, as Clutch Breath
- *Hill Street Blues* (1981), series, as Eddie Sims — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/hill-street-blues.md)
- *The Night the City Screamed* (1980), as Richard Hawkins
- *I'm a Big Girl Now* (1980), series, Actor
- *It's a Living* (1980), series, as Steve
- *Beulah Land* (1980), series, as Adam Davis
- *Paris* (1979), series, Actor
- *Hart to Hart* (1979), series, as Adam Blake
- *Beach Patrol* (1979), as Marty Green
- *The Dukes of Hazzard* (1979), series, as Jamie Lee Hogg
- *The White Shadow* (1978), series, as Basketball Player
- *Fantasy Island* (1978), series, as Kirk
- *Eight Is Enough* (1977), series, as Chapper
- *Quincy, M.E.* (1976), series, as Leon Bohannon, Young Surgeon
- *Charlie's Angels* (1976), series, as Brad
- *Barnaby Jones* (1973), series, as David Douglas
- *The Waltons* (1972), series, as Ashley Longworth Jr.
- *Holograms All the Way Down*, as Commander William T. Riker

## Gallery

- ![Jonathan Frakes](https://film.one/media/person/22901/gallery-6c187f7eccac.jpg) Jonathan Frakes — John Manard, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fc/Jonathan_Frakes_2025.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Brent Spiner & Jonathan Frakes at the 53rd Saturn Awards 2026](https://film.one/media/person/22901/gallery-c5bdf083c72a.jpg) Brent Spiner & Jonathan Frakes at the 53rd Saturn Awards 2026 — Kevin Paul, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/72/Brent_Spiner_%26_Jonathan_Frakes_at_53rd_Saturn_Awards_2026-01.jpg/1280px-Brent_Spiner_%26_Jonathan_Frakes_at_53rd_Saturn_Awards_2026-01.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Brent Spiner & Jonathan Frakes at the 53rd Saturn Awards 2026](https://film.one/media/person/22901/gallery-9c7e87535904.jpg) Brent Spiner & Jonathan Frakes at the 53rd Saturn Awards 2026 — Kevin Paul, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a8/Brent_Spiner_%26_Jonathan_Frakes_at_53rd_Saturn_Awards_2026-02.jpg/1280px-Brent_Spiner_%26_Jonathan_Frakes_at_53rd_Saturn_Awards_2026-02.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Brent Spiner & Jonathan Frakes at the 53rd Saturn Awards 2026](https://film.one/media/person/22901/gallery-a7cae0c6962a.jpg) Brent Spiner & Jonathan Frakes at the 53rd Saturn Awards 2026 — Kevin Paul, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1f/Brent_Spiner_%26_Jonathan_Frakes_at_53rd_Saturn_Awards_2026-03.jpg/1280px-Brent_Spiner_%26_Jonathan_Frakes_at_53rd_Saturn_Awards_2026-03.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Jonathan Frakes](https://film.one/media/person/22901/gallery-f8ffcd45694e.jpg) Jonathan Frakes — Image via TMDB
- ![Jonathan Frakes](https://film.one/media/person/22901/gallery-cde66e85c554.jpg) Jonathan Frakes — Image via TMDB
- ![Jonathan Frakes](https://film.one/media/person/22901/gallery-0946c486237d.jpg) Jonathan Frakes — Image via TMDB
- ![Jonathan Frakes (2012)](https://film.one/media/person/22901/gallery-6b968e85d1f0.jpg) Jonathan Frakes (2012) — Bagl8, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cd/Jonathan_Frakes_%282012%29.jpg/1280px-Jonathan_Frakes_%282012%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Jonathan Frakes at the 2018 FedCon](https://film.one/media/person/22901/gallery-65674f28c1eb.jpg) Jonathan Frakes at the 2018 FedCon — Crosa from Nuernberg, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0e/Jonathan_Frakes_%2828287016037%29.jpg/1280px-Jonathan_Frakes_%2828287016037%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Jonathan Frakes](https://film.one/media/person/22901/gallery-7014d65c9a4d.jpg) Jonathan Frakes — Image via TMDB
- ![Jonathan Frakes](https://film.one/media/person/22901/gallery-a3a01b0c8304.jpg) Jonathan Frakes — Image via TMDB
- ![Jonathan Frakes](https://film.one/media/person/22901/gallery-c16c342e8314.jpg) Jonathan Frakes — Image via TMDB

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/jonathan-frakes