Jonathan Frakes discusses returning to direct Star Trek: Picard season two

(L-R) Jonathan Frakes as Will Riker, Patrick Stewart as Jean-Luc Picard and Marina Sirtis as Deanna Troi in Star Trek: Picard “Nepenthe”

In a recent interview with TrekMovie, Star Trek actor and director Jonathan Frakes confirmed he will definitely be returning to direct in the second season of Star Trek: Picard. With prior work directing both Star Trek: Discovery and Picard, it might seem obvious that Frakes would be back in the director’s chair. But when it comes to the plot for season two, secrecy is paramount (pun intended). So secretive, in fact, that even Frakes has no idea what’s going to happen...or if his beloved character will be returning.

In the interview, Frakes relayed the idea that secrecy is not uncommon for Picard. “When [season one] was broken, we were sworn to secrecy that they were going to bring Data back, which I thought was great,” Frakes said. “And maybe more surprising for the fans and better for the show, was bringing Jeri [Ryan] back, who’s never been better. And Jonathan [del Arco as Hugh] too.”

According to Frakes, Picard is “allegedly” to begin filming season two in January, but that plan could be subject to change due to COVID-19. In season one, audiences saw Frakes return to the screen as Will Riker alongside Marina Sirtis as Deanna Troi and Lulu Wilson, who played their daughter, Kestra. Even though Frakes will be directing in the second season, he wasn’t in the writer’s room to break the season outline and said he doesn’t “know what the plan is for season two.”

Until we get a more definitive answer on whether Will Riker and his family will return to Star Trek: Picard, you catch up on season one of the series, available to stream now on CBS All Access.