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Gene Roddenberry Had To Fight For Jonathan Frakes' Star Trek Casting
SlashFilmStory by staff@slashfilm.com (Witney Seibold)
scrn logline
Gene Roddenberry had to personally champion Jonathan Frakes for iconic Star Trek role, paving the way for Next Generation's beloved 'Number One'.
beat sheet
- Roddenberry had to fight studio execs to cast Frakes as Commander Riker, with the creator arguing the actor's perfect blend of authority and likeability
- Frakes' Riker became a standout character, earning him a directing gig for multiple Star Trek films and cementing his legacy as a crucial part of the franchise's enduring success
call sheet
Gene Roddenberry, Jonathan Frakes, Star Trek, Star Trek: The Next Generation