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Jonathan Frakes Reflects on William Rikers Future if Legacy Had Been Green-Lit
When the third and final season of Star Trek: Picard premiered in 2023, it carried a promise that extended beyond the series’ own arc. Showrunner Terry Matalas positioned the finale as a launchpad for a proposed follow‑up, Legacy, a concept that would have seen the original Next Generation crew return aboard a re‑commissioned Enterprise‑G, led by Jeri Ryan as captain and William Riker stepping into the role of admiral. In a late‑2023 interview with Inside of You host Michael Rosenbaum, Jonathan Frakes—best known for portraying Riker—opened up about that unmade vision.
Frakes told Rosenbaum that the reunion of the TNG cast during Picard’s final season was the highlight of his career. "We did the last season of ‘Picard’ together, which was fabulous. Thanks to Terry Matalas," he said. The conversation, which aired in late 2023, also delved into how the show’s conclusion would have set the stage for Legacy and how the cast might have evolved.
The last season of Picard wrapped up with the Enterprise‑D crew confronting a Borg‑Changeling conspiracy that threatened to infiltrate the Federation from within. In the episode, the Borg use DNA from retired Admiral Jean‑Luc Picard—played by Patrick Stewart—to assimilate younger Starfleet officers and launch an attack on Earth. The Enterprise‑D, presumed lost after the events of Star Trek: Generations (1994), was restored by Commodore Geordi La Forge (LeVar Burton) through the recovery of its saucer section on Veridian III and the reconstruction of the remainder from salvaged parts.
Frakes explained that, had Legacy been produced, Riker would have moved beyond his role as first officer. "I imagine Riker would be an admiral by this point…," he said. He added that the other TNG veterans would occupy senior positions: Picard and Beverly Crusher (Gates McFadden) would be admirals, Data (Brent Spiner) would remain a lieutenant commander, Deanna Troi (Marina Sirtis) a commander, and Worf (Michael Dorn) would command the Enterprise‑G.
The proposed Legacy series never entered production. In March 2026, a CBR article reported that Paramount had no greenlight for the project, and a subsequent ComicBook.com piece described the series as a “devastating update” for fans. Paramount’s recent strategy has seen the cancellation of several Star Trek‑branded shows, including Starfleet Academy and Strange New Worlds. The company’s decision to end those series, coupled with the lack of a new flagship, has left the franchise’s future uncertain.
Frakes, who has directed episodes of The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, Discovery, Strange New Worlds, and Starfleet Academy, has expressed a preference for directing over acting. He noted that the Picard reunion was a rare opportunity to work with the original cast after more than two decades.
While the Legacy concept remains on the shelf, the Star Trek franchise continues to evolve. Paramount+ has announced a new film in development that will reportedly focus on the Kelvin timeline, and the company is exploring additional streaming projects. As of now, no official statement confirms a revival of Legacy or a new series featuring the Next Generation crew.
In summary, Jonathan Frakes used his interview with Michael Rosenbaum to outline how William Riker’s career might have progressed had the Legacy series been green‑lit. The final season of Picard closed the chapter on the Borg‑Changeling threat, but the broader fate of the Next Generation crew remains open, pending future decisions by Paramount+ and the Star Trek creative team.
Frakes told Rosenbaum that the reunion of the TNG cast during Picard’s final season was the highlight of his career. "We did the last season of ‘Picard’ together, which was fabulous. Thanks to Terry Matalas," he said. The conversation, which aired in late 2023, also delved into how the show’s conclusion would have set the stage for Legacy and how the cast might have evolved.
The last season of Picard wrapped up with the Enterprise‑D crew confronting a Borg‑Changeling conspiracy that threatened to infiltrate the Federation from within. In the episode, the Borg use DNA from retired Admiral Jean‑Luc Picard—played by Patrick Stewart—to assimilate younger Starfleet officers and launch an attack on Earth. The Enterprise‑D, presumed lost after the events of Star Trek: Generations (1994), was restored by Commodore Geordi La Forge (LeVar Burton) through the recovery of its saucer section on Veridian III and the reconstruction of the remainder from salvaged parts.
Frakes explained that, had Legacy been produced, Riker would have moved beyond his role as first officer. "I imagine Riker would be an admiral by this point…," he said. He added that the other TNG veterans would occupy senior positions: Picard and Beverly Crusher (Gates McFadden) would be admirals, Data (Brent Spiner) would remain a lieutenant commander, Deanna Troi (Marina Sirtis) a commander, and Worf (Michael Dorn) would command the Enterprise‑G.
The proposed Legacy series never entered production. In March 2026, a CBR article reported that Paramount had no greenlight for the project, and a subsequent ComicBook.com piece described the series as a “devastating update” for fans. Paramount’s recent strategy has seen the cancellation of several Star Trek‑branded shows, including Starfleet Academy and Strange New Worlds. The company’s decision to end those series, coupled with the lack of a new flagship, has left the franchise’s future uncertain.
Frakes, who has directed episodes of The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, Discovery, Strange New Worlds, and Starfleet Academy, has expressed a preference for directing over acting. He noted that the Picard reunion was a rare opportunity to work with the original cast after more than two decades.
While the Legacy concept remains on the shelf, the Star Trek franchise continues to evolve. Paramount+ has announced a new film in development that will reportedly focus on the Kelvin timeline, and the company is exploring additional streaming projects. As of now, no official statement confirms a revival of Legacy or a new series featuring the Next Generation crew.
In summary, Jonathan Frakes used his interview with Michael Rosenbaum to outline how William Riker’s career might have progressed had the Legacy series been green‑lit. The final season of Picard closed the chapter on the Borg‑Changeling threat, but the broader fate of the Next Generation crew remains open, pending future decisions by Paramount+ and the Star Trek creative team.
