Jonathan Frakes on STAR TREK: DISCOVERY’s Legacy and Unforeseen Farewell

As the curtain falls on Star Trek: Discovery with its fifth season, emotions run high among the cast, crew, and dedicated fans. Among those deeply moved by the show's conclusion is Jonathan Frakes, a familiar face to Star Trek aficionados both in front of and behind the camera. Frakes, renowned for his role as William Riker and his directorial contributions, shared his heartfelt reflections on Sonequa Martin-Green and the unexpected end of an era in an interview with CinemaBlend.

Jonathan Frakes has never been one to hide his feelings, and his reaction to the cancellation of Discovery was no exception. Reflecting on his journey with the series, Frakes didn't hold back his admiration for Sonequa Martin-Green, who portrayed Captain Michael Burnham.

"She comes prepared. Not only does she have her talent and her humor, but she has a spiritual presence that permeates the set," Frakes told CinemaBlend. "Her kindness is authentic, and it is shared with both sides of the camera up and down the line. And I think if you talk to anybody in the company, you'll find the same thing is true about her. She is authentic in a way that many actors, as you probably know, aren't."

The end of Discovery brings uncertainty about whether Martin-Green will reprise her role as Michael Burnham in future Star Trek endeavors. However, during the filming of the penultimate episode, "Lagrange Point," the cast and crew were blissfully unaware of the show's impending conclusion. This lack of foreknowledge allowed them to focus on the task at hand without the weight of finality overshadowing their performances.

Frakes admitted that, in hindsight, he was grateful for this ignorance. 

"She's very, very special, and I'm a big fan. I'm, in a way, glad I didn't know when I was shooting the first half of the finale that it was, in fact, the finale because I would have been just, I would’ve been much tearier than I was," Frakes revealed. "You say goodbye when you're doing a show like this assuming that, 'I'll see you next year. I'll see you next season, I'll see you in a few months.' But we didn't know when we shot this finale that it was actually the finale. So I'll see Sonequa down the road, but I will miss working with her as Michael Burnham."

This sentiment highlights the unique bond formed among the Discovery team and the emotional challenge of parting ways under such unexpected circumstances. The legacy of Star Trek: Discovery will undoubtedly endure, carried by the unforgettable performances and the spirit of camaraderie that defined its production.