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Star Trek legends Jonathan Frakes and Robert Picardo reunite at Starfleet Academy

Star Trek legends Jonathan Frakes and Robert Picardo have a touching but funny reunion on the set of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy. Executive produced by Alex Kurtzman and Noga Landau, Star Trek: Starfleet Academy premieres with two episodes on January 15, 2026 on Paramount+.

Taking up The Doctor from Star Trek: Voyager, Robert Picardo is the most eminent Star Trek returning historical actor Star Trek: Starfleet Academy. Meanwhile, Jonathan Frakes joins the new Star Trek series on Paramount+ as director, directing Star Trek: Starfleet Academy the penultimate episode of season 1.

On his Instagram, Jonathan Frakes posted a photo of himself sharing a warm hug with Robert Picardo, with a tongue-in-cheek caption that “Bob Picardo seeks line reading” of his Star Trek: Starfleet Academy director. See Frakes’ post below:

Not to be outdone, Robert Picardo also shared the photo on his Instagram, accusing Jonathan Frakes of a hug that “pointed 20 minutes” and led to Bob “call HR.” Check out Picardo’s message below:

Robert Picardo and Jonathan Frakes have worked together several times as an actor and director. Frakes directed Picardo as an alternate version of the EMH in Star Trek: First Contact. Jonathan also directed three episodes of Star Trek: Voyager season 2: “Screening”, “Parturition” and “Prototype”.

Most recently, Jonathan Frakes and Robert Picardo appeared together in the Hallmark movie Christmas 2023, A Christmas at the Biltmore. Picardo also posted a hilarious dig at Jonathan Frakes on Instagram to mark the first of their holiday collaboration.

The Jonathan Frakes episode of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy premieres March 5, 2026 on Paramount+. Unfortunately, this is also the last episode of Star Trek which Frakes is expected to achieve in the foreseeable future. Frakes will not direct the episodes of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds seasons 4 or 5 or Star Trek: Starfleet Academy season 2.

Jonathan Frakes noted that Oscar nominee Paul Giamatti was not in his Star Trek: Starfleet Academy episode as the villain Nus Braka. Fortunately, both actors have confirmed that Robert Picardo will play The Doctor with Jonathan Frakes directing the action behind the camera.


Star Trek_ Starfleet Academy


Network

Paramount+

Showrunner

Alex Kurtzman, Noga Landau

Directors

Alex Kurtzman

  • Photo by Holly Hunter

  • Broadcast tag image

  • Broadcast tag image

    Karim Diane

    Jay Den Kraag

  • Broadcast tag image

    Kerrice Brooks

    Mil ‘Sam’ Acclimatization Series


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