Gene Roddenberry Had To Fight For Jonathan Frakes' Star Trek Casting

Story by staff@slashfilm.com (Witney Seibold)

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Gene Roddenberry had to personally champion Jonathan Frakes for iconic Star Trek role, paving the way for Next Generation's beloved 'Number One'.

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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

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Gene Roddenberry, Jonathan Frakes, Star Trek, Star Trek: The Next Generation