Summary
Jonathan Frakes is one the most beloved directors ofStar Trek, but he is also an incredibly prolific director across television. Frakes' directing career began onStar Trek: The Next Generation,where he occasionally took a break from starring as Commander William Riker to step behind the camera.Frakes directing debut wasTNGseason 3, episode 16, “The Offspring,“which focused on Lt. Commander Data (Brent Spiner) and his attempt to create a child. With its compelling premise and heartbreaking ending, “The Offspring” remains one of the most highly-praised episodes ofTNG.
After Jonathan Frakes took to directing, he continued to helm stories within theStar Trekfranchise, including the feature filmsStar Trek: First ContactandStar Trek: Insurrection. Frakes also directed the 2002 filmClockstoppersand the 2004 filmThunderbirds, but most of his directing credits come from television shows.Frakes remains an active television director today, both within theStar Trekfranchise and without.He directed the excellentStar Trek: Strange New Worldscrossover withStar Trek: Lower Decks, as well as thepenultimate episode ofStar Trek: Discovery’sfinal season. Here are 10 other shows with episodes directed by Jonathan Frakes.
Frakes is also set to direct the upcoming 10-part seriesDeathlands,based on the book series of the same name.
10 Best Star Trek Episodes Directed By Jonathan Frakes
Jonathan Frakes stars as Captain Will Riker in the Star Trek universe, but he has also become one of Trek’s most beloved and prolific directors.
10Roswell
Five episodes directed by Jonathan Frakes
Centering on three aliens masquerading as high schoolers,Roswellwas one of the first television shows Jonathan Frakes directed outside of theStar Trekfranchise.When a local girl named Liz Parker (Shiri Appleby) discovers the aliens' secret, she gets involved in a love triangle with the alien leader, Max (Jason Behr), and her human high school boyfriend. Over its three seasons, Roswell explores stories of relationships, as well as classic science fiction concepts like clones and shapeshifters.
Star Trekwriter and producer Ronald D. Moorewas brought on for Roswell’s second season to incorporate more sci-fi into the show. Moore acted as co-showrunner alongside creator Jason Katims for the show’s final two seasons.Jonathan Frakes not only directed five episodes ofRoswell, but also served as an executive producer for all three seasonsand appeared as himself in two episodes.
Roswell
Cast
In Roswell, New Mexico, high school student Liz learns that three of her classmates are actually alien survivors of a UFO crash that took place years prior. She and her other human friends must keep the secret, but as Liz and the others form deeper bonds with their alien classmates, the situation becomes more and more complex.
9Dollhouse
One episode directed by Jonathan Frakes
Created by Joss Whedon,Dollhousecenters around a corporation that can turn people into blank slates and then program them with various personalities and skills.Wealthy clients can then hire these “dolls” as spies, assassins, experts in particular topics,or any other kind of person they can imagine. One of the dolls, Echo (Eliza Dushku), slowly begins to gain awareness, and her own unique personality becomes more difficult to erase.
With mixed reviews and underwhelming ratings,Dollhousedid not achieve the popularity of Whedon’s other shows (likeBuffy the Vampire SlayerandAngel)and was abruptly canceled before the second season had finished filming.Jonathan Frakes directedDollhouseseason 2, episode 4, “Belonging,“which focused on the doll named Sierra (Dichen Lachman), and how she came to be at the Dollhouse.
Dollhouse
Dollhouse, created by Joss Whedon, stars Eliza Dushku as Echo, an “Active” who can be imprinted with any personality or skill set by a secret organization. As she begins to regain her memory, Echo uncovers hidden truths about the Dollhouse and herself, challenging the morality of the people behind it. The series explores themes of identity, freedom, and the ethical implications of advanced technology.
8Castle
Three episodes directed by Jonathan Frakes
The crime comedy/dramaCastlefollows best-selling author Richard Castle (Nathan Fillion), who works alongside homicide detective Kate Beckett (Stana Katic), solving various cases in New York City.Needing inspiration for his next book series, Castle begins shadowing Beckett on the job, much to her annoyance.Despite their clashing personalities, however, Castle and Beckett eventually develop feelings for one another.
10 Best Castle Episodes, Ranked
When an episode of Castle is great it’s not just the cases that are compelling but the writing, acting, and character development of the story.
Jonathan Frakes directed three episodes ofCastle,one in the show’s second season and two in season five.Frakes makes a cameo in one of his episodes,Castleseason 5, episode 6, “The Final Frontier,“which also contains numerousStar Trekreferences.Castleran for eight seasons on ABC, eventually coming to a close in 2016. The series remained popular throughout most of its run, winning several fan-voted awards and spawning multiple tie-in novels.
Star Trek: The Next Generation’sMichael Dorn had a recurring role in six episodes ofCastleas Dr. Carver Burke, a psychiatrist helping Beckett.
7Burn Notice
When Michael Westen (Jeffrey Donovan) loses his job at the CIA, he sets out to find who burned him. With his old friend Sam Axe (Bruce Campbell) and ex-girlfriend Fiona Glenanne (Gabrielle Anwar),Westen works as an unlicensed private investigator in Miami, as he searches for answers.Burn Noticeran for seven seasons, consisting of 111 episodes and one made-for-television prequel film.
Jonathan Frakes directed five different episodes ofBurn Notice, spread out over seasons 4, 5, 6, and 7. Like many procedural crime dramas,Burn Noticecombined serialized plot elements with case-of-the-week storylines, butthe show’s irreverent sense of humor and use of voice-overs set it apart.Burn Noticereceived mostly positive reviewsand has an 88% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Burn Notice
After being “burned,” (i.e., fired and cut off from his job as a spy), former CIA agent Michael Westen finds himself stuck in Miama with no cash, no credit, and no job history. With the help of an old friend and an ex-flame, he takes whatever work he can as a private investigator, while trying to solve the mystery behind why he was burned.
6Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD
Jonathan Frakes may not officially be part of theMarvel Cinematic Universe(yet), but he did direct an episode of the MCU’s first television series,Marvel’sAgents of SHIELD.Despite his apparent death in 2012’sThe Avengers,Agent Phil Coulson (Clark Gregg) returnsand gathers a SHIELD team to handle strange superhero-related cases. In its early seasons, Coulson and his team face off against Hydra terrorists and Inhumans.
Agents Of SHIELD Timeline & MCU Watch Order: How It Fits With The Movies
Agents of SHIELD was literally designed to tie in to the MCU - so here’s how to watch the show and fit it in with the mainstream MCU timeline.
Jonathan Frakes directedAgents of SHIELDseason 1, episode 8, “The Well,” which focuses on Grant Ward (Brett Dalton) as he’s forced to revisit painful memories from his childhood.“The Well” also serves as a direct follow-up toThor: The Dark World,in one of the first connections between a blockbuster Marvel film and a television show. The MCU would, of course, continue to grow to incorporate numerous connected films and television shows.
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. is a television series that follows Agent Phil Coulson as he assembles a team within the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division to investigate mysterious phenomena, safeguarding the world from extraordinary threats. Debuting in 2013, the series expands on the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s exploration of covert operations.
5Falling Skies
Executive-produced by Steven Spielberg,Falling Skiescenters around the survivors of a devastating alien invasion.Colonel Dan Weaver (Will Patton) and his second-in-command Tom Mason (Noah Wyle) lead a group of survivorswho come together to fight back against their alien attackers. A former history professor, Mason’s knowledge of military history proves especially useful as he searches for his son Ben (Connor Jessup).
Jonathan Frakes directed three episodes throughoutFalling Skies’five seasons, one each in seasons 3, 4, and 5. With its alien invasion story,Falling Skiesis firmly science fiction, but its post-apocalyptic setting makes it very different fromStar Trek’sstyle of sci-fi.Still,Falling Skiesadds another show to Frakes' impressive roster of directing alien-related shows and films.
Falling Skies
When Earth is invaded by extraterrestrials, humanity loses the battle against the alien attackers. Picking up after the defeat of the human race, Falling Skies tells the story of a former college professor (Noah Wyle) who becomes the leader of the Second Massachusetts, a group of soldiers and civilians who are struggling to fight against the occupying force.
4NCIS: Los Angeles
Six episodes directed by Jonathan Frakes
For all of its 14 seasons and 323 episodes,NCIS: Los Angeleswas one of the most popular television series on network television. Following Special Agents Sam Hanna (LL Cool J) and Grisha Callen (Chris O’Donnell),NCIS: Los Angelescenters on a special branch of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service that deals with undercover operations.As the team investigates various cases, the show also explores their personal relationships with one another.
NCIS: Los Angelesis just one of the manyspin-offs in theNCISfranchise, and Jonathan Frakes is, of course, no stranger to mega franchises.Frakes directed six total episodes ofLos Angeles, spread out over six seasons.Frakes makes an uncredited guest appearance as Navy Commander Dr. Stanfill inLos Angelesseason 2, episode 11, “Disorder,” an episode he also directed.
NCIS: Los Angeles
NCIS: Los Angeles began in 2009 and currently has 14 seasons. Created by Shane Brennan, the release is the second installment in the NCIS franchise and the first major spinoff. The premise follows a group of special agents within the Naval Criminal Investigative Service as they aim to investigate and protect people in the Lost Angeles area.
3The Librarians
Two movies & ten episodes directed by Jonathan Frakes
Jonathan Frakes joinedThe Librariansfranchiseas a director of the second made-for-television film,The Librarian: Return to King Solomon’s Mines.Frakes went on to direct the third film,The Librarian: The Curse of the Judas Chalice,and later joined the production team of the television series.The films centered on Flynn Carsen (Noah Wyle) as The Librarian assigned to protect the many magical objects secured in the secret section of the Metropolitan Public Library.
Beginning in 2014,The Librarianstelevision series introduced four new characters who solve various mysteries and embark on adventures to protect humanity.Jonathan Frakes directed ten episodes of the show over the course of its four seasons,including the first season finale. Frakes also appeared inReturn to King Solomon’s Minesas Debra’s husband and made an uncredited cameo as a trombone player inThe Curse of the Judas Chalice.
Rebecca Romijn portrays Colonel Eve Baird, who serves as the Guardian of the new Librarians. Frakes would go on to direct Romijn again in theStar Trek: Strange New Worlds/Lower Deckscrossover episode.
The Librarians: The Next Chapter - Release Date, Cast, Story, Trailer & Everything We Know
TNT’s underrated fantasy series The Librarians is returning in a spinoff, and here’s everything to know about The Librarians: The Next Chapter.
2The Gifted
Set in an alternate Marvel Universe timeline where the X-Men have disappeared,The Giftedfollows Reed (Stephen Moyer) and Caitlin (Amy Acker) Strucker as they care for their teenage children.When Reed and Caitlin discover that their children are mutants, they go on the run to avoid the anti-mutant Sentinel Services.They then join an underground community of mutants who are fighting for their survival.
Jonathan Frakes only helmed one episode,The Giftedseason 2, episode 13, “teMpted,“which features some insight into the character of Erg (Michael Luwoye), while also moving Lauren’s (Natalie Alyn Lind ) and Polaris’s (Emma Dumont) stories forward.The Giftedexplored themes of discrimination and prejudice, using many characters and elements from theX-Mencomic books. Despite solid ratings and reviews,The Giftedwas canceledafter only two seasons.
FellowStar Trekactor-turned-director Robert Duncan McNeill also directed three episodes ofThe Giftedand two ofThe Orville, among many other shows.
The Gifted
Part of the X-Men franchise, although set in an alternate timeline from the films, The Gifted follows the Strucker family who must suddenly go on the run when the two children, Lauren and Andy, are discovered to possess mutant abilities. In a world where the X-Men have disappeared and mutants are heavily mistrusted and persecuted by the government, the once law-abiding Struckers must ally themselves with a group of rogue mutants attempting to help who they can and fight back against the corruption that threatens their lives.
1The Orville
Two episodes directed by Jonathan Frakes
Seth MacFarlane’sThe OrvilleresemblesStar Trekthe most out of any of the entries on this list, and Jonathan Frakes directed two episodes of this sci-fi comedy. Following Captain Ed Mercer (Seth MacFarlane) and the crew of the USS Orville,The Orvillewas heavily inspired byStar Trekand regularly paid homage to the franchise.Although the first season ofThe Orvillewas met with mixed reviews, seasons 2 and 3 both received critical acclaim.
Jonathan Frakes directedThe Orvilleseason 1, episode 5, “Pria,” which featured Charlize Theron as the titular Captain Pria Levesque,as well as season 2, episode 23, “Sanctuary.” After its first two seasons, the show moved from Fox to streaming exclusively on Hulu for the third season in 2022. AlthoughThe Orvillehas not officially been canceled, the fate of the show’s future remains unknown. With his impressive resume and obvious skill as a director, we hope Jonathan Frakes always finds his way back to theStar Trekfranchise.
The Orville
Created by Seth McFarlane and set in the 25th century, The Orville follows the crew of the titular ship and its captain, Ed Mercer (McFarlane) as they explore the galaxy. Inspired by Star Trek, it also spoofs the sci-fi classic, taking a comedic approach to its serialized story and science-fiction premise. Adrianne Palicki, Penny Johnson Jerald, and Scott Grimes star alongside McFarlane as part of an ensemble cast.
