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

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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.