Jonathan Frakes is not only a Star Trek legend who is doing career-best work portraying Captain William T. Riker in Star Trek: Picard season 3, but he is also a crusader for pancreatic cancer research.
On April 29th, Frakes will march in PanCAN PurpleStride, which is raising money for pancreatic cancer research. Frakes is part of Trek Against Pancreatic Cancer along with Star Trek colleagues Armin Shimerman, Kitty Swink, and John Billingsley. Trek Against Pancreatic Cancer is hoping to raise $90,000 for pancreatic cancer research, a cause that is very personal to Jonathan Frakes. You can register and donate to Trek Against Pancreatic Cancer here.
Screen Rant had the absolute pleasure to sit down with Jonathan Frakes to get the word out on PanCAN PurpleStride and Trek Against Pancreatic Cancer. Of course, we also discussed all things Star Trek, from the phenomenal success of Star Trek: Picard season 3, to Frakes directing Star Trek: Discovery, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, and even his lobbying for the job of directing the next movie, Star Trek 4.
Jonathan Frakes Discusses Trek Against Pancreatic Cancer, Star Trek: Picard & More
Screen Rant: Will Riker: good in bed, bad at pizza. And I presume he hates pancreatic cancer. That's my segueway.
Jonathan Frakes: [laughs] Well done. Nice, simple segueway, and appropriate. All true!
We're here to talk about a very important cause to you, which is Trek Against Pancreatic Cancer. Please tell us all about it and how Star Trek fans can help.
Jonathan Frakes: Well, my wonderful brother, Daniel Frakes, was diagnosed late. So late, this is 25 years ago, [and] actually, he died a week before my daughter was born. He was jaundiced, he went into the hospital, they opened him up. It's called a Whipple, [where] you perform surgery on pancreatic cancer, which our dear friend Katie Swink has managed to survive for 19 years. So they opened [him], prepared surgery, they saw what they saw, they closed it back up, they came out, and they said, "He's beyond hope. You'll be lucky if he lives for six months. We're sorry."
No alternatives, no explanation. It was brutal. And at that point, there was a 4% survival [rate]. Now, thanks to PanCAN and to PurpleStride, the march that we're promoting which is on April 29, there is a 12% survival rate, which is seemingly insignificant, but three times what it was when my brother died. So what we're hoping to do is... The PurpleStride is an event that takes place in 60 cities around the country on April 29. We're marching in LA from the Santa Monica Pier. We raise money to raise awareness.
Our goal as Trek Against Pancreatic Cancer, which is Armin Shimerman who plays Quark, and Kitty Swink, who's his wife, who also played a couple of characters on Deep Space Nine, [Dr.] Phlox, who's John Billingsley from [Star Trek:] Enterprise, and myself. We have a group called Trek Against Pancreatic Cancer. So if you go to the website on PanCAN, you make a donation. We would love to raise $90,000 on our team, you could help us out, five bucks, 10 bucks, 15 bucks. The objective of raising this money, which they're hoping to get, like $19 million, is early detection.
At this point, the markers that exist for breast cancer and for prostate cancer are really evolved and people have a very high survival rate if it's detected early. Pancreatic cancer is the second-worst cause of death and second-worst cancer, and the most unpredictable and brutal. And so, if we have more money for research and more money dedicated to pancreatic cancer specifically, it not only helps our world, but it helps all cancers. It should be part of a blood test. We all get a blood test when we go to our doctors for our annual checkup. There should be markers in that blood test.
What we've been encouraged to spread the word about is that if you are genetically disposed, if someone in your family has had pancreatic cancer, has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, has died from pancreatic cancer, you need to get specifically checked. If you are over 50 and surprisingly got diabetes, that could be a precursor. So mentioning to your doctor at your annual checkup that my uncle or my brother or my mom had [pancreatic cancer] is a very important thing. And that will flag the doctor to help to specifically check you for pancreatic cancer, which is, unfortunately so undetectable [when it] arrives, or is detectable so late that so many people die. That's really the bottom line.
And this organization, which Kitty had asked me to join a few years ago, has been so productive on so many levels, not just in raising money for research to help the doctors and the researchers, but [also] to provide support to the family of the people who are suffering in many ways. As Kitty says, the families suffer more than the person with the cancer because they're more confused and more worried and more... It's not clear what's going on. And the person who's suffering with cancer is taking treatments. And you know, there is progress. So my plea today is: Help us out. It's called PurpleStride. It takes place on April 29. You go into the website, which is called PanCAN, and you look for Trek Against Cancer, and you'll find all of us pleading for money in there. Make a donation, five bucks, 10 bucks, whatever it is, and it will go a long way to help all of us.
The website is purplestride.org/teamtrek to donate and to register for PanCAN PurpleStride on Saturday, April 29, as you said, in Los Angeles and 59 other communities nationwide. And you mentioned also that Armin Shimerman from Deep Space Nine, Kitty Swink, his wife, who's also a pancreatic cancer survivor from Deep Space Nine, and John Billingsley from Star Trek: Enterprise are Team Trek Against Pancreatic Cancer. This is the third year in a row Trek Against Pancreatic Cancer will walk at PanCAN PurpleStride if that's correct.
Jonathan Frakes: All true!
Please register and donate or walk for this important cause. purplestride.org/teamtrek. Really, really important. My own family has been hit by cancer, as well as so many millions of families. So of course, I can absolutely relate and will donate to this cause. So important.
Jonathan Frakes: You're a mensch.
I'd like to segue a little bit and ask you about Star Trek Picard, which has been absolutely phenomenal. What's it been like for you seeing the overwhelming response for season 3?
Jonathan Frakes: LeVar [Burton] said at best the other day when we were doing some press: We didn't dare hope for anything this exciting. We didn't dare hope to have this kind of comeback as a group. And to see how well it's been received. I mean, it's been said, but I'll say it again: A lot of the credit goes to the writing, to Terry Matalas' vision of what the story could be. And Alex Kurtzman [for] having the guts to change gears on Picard, and Akiva Goldsman, who was running the show with him as well.
These guys were visionary in terms of finding a way, as my wife said when we watched the other night, the characters have all earned their return in a way. So that the plot laid out over the 10 episodes has allowed everybody to have a real purpose instead of... As Patrick said, "It's not a reunion show." It has a through line, very, very exciting, dramatic, sometimes funny, sometimes terrifying. Very emotional. It's really well-plotted and I'm thrilled to be involved in it, obviously.
In this past episode, when you all gathered together in the meeting room for the first time since Nemesis, [there were] tears in our eyes at being able to see all of you together again. The way it's structured is so much better than how the TNG movies. Everybody has a piece of the puzzle. Everybody matters. Everybody has a stake, and it plays so well, so that when you're all together, finally, it's so perfect and so earned.
Jonathan Frakes: Well, the characters have all been in different places, that's the other thing. Riker and Troi had moved to this island to try to save their son who died. And Geordi has gone off to run the [Fleet] Museum. Worf has changed his sort of philosophical behavior. Data we thought was dead.
I mean, there's been conflict in the Riker-Troi marriage, Picard was out of Starfleet. Dr. Crusher was [running] Doctors Without Borders in space. So everyone was off doing something different. And to bring them all back together, as Terry cleverly has, has not only been a blast for us, we've all been friends for 36 years anyway... But the fans have embraced it in a way that we didn't... again, we didn't dare hope that it would be this well received.
A generation grew up with you, saw you every day, sometimes more than that. Families gathered to watch you. We were part of your giant Star Trek family, so to see you all together means so much to us. And in season 3, you've really taken Riker to another level of emotional and character depth. I'd love to know how you were involved in crafting Riker's arc in season 3.
Jonathan Frakes: Terry came to me when I was directing a couple of episodes in season 2, and he said, "Are you ready to bring Riker back?" And I said he was back in season 1, in that story about Nepenthe, and he was back at the end of the season, saving the day for Picard. But he said, "No, I mean, back, like, a lot of Riker." I was intimidated and intrigued. And I said, "Sure, I'm all in." And then he took Patrick and me to lunch, and he pitched this idea that [Picard] would need Riker for this clandestine mystery, to solve this mystery.
But he also pitched that they would have conflicting points of view, which is something that was really rare on Next Gen. Any kind of conflict, but particularly with those two guys, where Riker supported Picard so unerringly. And so constantly, and with such pride. To take a different point of view, especially about family. I mean, Riker lost his son. Picard has found a son, and it's very potent earth from which to grow his story. So the conflict between those two characters has been magical, and also to be in the room with Patrick acting again has been spectacular.
And now that my wife Troi has shown back up after the conflict that we've suffered because of our son's death and being stuck in this place where neither of us really wanted to be, her entrance late this season is so powerful because not only has it given the audience a chance to see us together, she now has a major purpose in the story. With Jack as you can see, that's about as far as we can go in terms of spoilers.
Each time a new character comes in... I remember when Geordi and Data showed up, the fans went nuts. When Worf and Raffi [teamed up] and Worf's character -- Michael Dorn has never been better in the show. There are a lot of things about the 20 years that we've had off, which has informed us as people and as actors and as characters that have, I think, made the show significantly more layered.
There's a lot of chatter online about an Emmy nomination for you. Because everybody says, and I agree, you've never been better as Riker.
Jonathan Frakes: From your mouth to God's ears.
TNG was the only Star Trek series to get the Best Drama nomination back in 1994. Maybe Picard will be considered. Maybe lightning will strike twice.
Jonathan Frakes: Let's hope. We're doing a screening for the Television Academy of the final two episodes. Next week, I believe?
Yeah, the IMAX screening.
Jonathan Frakes: It would be a great way to finish things up. Get Patrick a nomination, get the show nominated. It'd be just brilliant.
Terry Matalas, the writers, and the cast have all been lobbying for a continuation. Star Trek: Legacy, they're calling it on Twitter. I assume if that happens, you'd be back as Riker?
Jonathan Frakes: In a heartbeat.
What would you want Riker's role to be in Star Trek: Legacy?
Jonathan Frakes: I kid, but I only half kid, when I say I think it would be great if because... It feels like the legacy characters are gonna be Jeri [Ryan, Seven of Nine] and Raffi, and the offspring, obviously... Geordi has two daughters in the show. Crusher and Picard obviously have a son. Maybe Troi and Riker's offspring shows up.
I had this concept that Riker would be sort of like Charlie in Charlie's Angels, and they have to come to my office once a week. And I get to direct the show and produce a show and be part of it that way, but not have to carry the acting part of it.
That'd be awesome. And I assume as Admiral Riker finally.
Jonathan Frakes: Yes, finally.
I've seen episode 309, and you had a really amazing little recognition of this old character coming in as Riker. I just feel like the Admiralcy for Riker is long overdue, just as the Captaincy was so long overdue back in TNG.
Jonathan Frakes: 35 years! That was the writers' fault. I mean, they kept having Riker say, "I'm seeking my own ship, and I'd love to become a Captain" and then when the offer comes, Riker turns it down. It must have happened two or three times over the series. So it was a conflict in the writers' room that the character ended up looking a little waffle-ly on [being promoted]. And then conveniently, the ships that Riker had been offered all blew up in the battle with the Borg. [laughs]
Picard wraps up, as you said, and the last 2 episodes will be screened in IMAX. Just when we thought Picard couldn't get any bigger, literally, it gets bigger. Is there anything at all you want to tease about the ending?
Jonathan Frakes: Nobody dies.
Wow, that is actually big. It's a big tease. Okay. I haven't seen the ending yet. But I'm obviously I'm dying. I'm dying to see how it all wraps up.
Jonathan Frakes: Is that Fact or Fiction? That nobody dies.
Oh, I don't know. You tell me. Picard 309 was incredible. I have to say, absolutely incredible. On June 15 Strange New Worlds season 2 premieres. I'm also incredibly excited about that. You're one of season 2's directors. How many episodes have you directed?
Jonathan Frakes: I did one in season 2. And I'm waiting for the writers to decide what they're doing before I go back and direct another one in season 3. The one in season 2 that I directed, and this is not a spoiler, is a crossover with a couple of the actors from Lower Decks, which is, I gotta say, hysterical.
It's Tawny Newsome and Jack Quaid. Mariner and Boimler come across into the world of [and] join the cast of Strange New Worlds. And it is just... it's a flat-out comedy. It doesn't pretend to be anything that it's not... As a matter of fact, I just got word that I'm going to do the Ready Room with Tawny and Jack and dear, sweet Wil [Wheaton] on Friday. I think it's episode 7 this season if I'm not mistaken.
As much as Picard season 3, the crossover is the Star Trek thing I'm just dying to see this year. Ever since it was announced at Comic-Con, which I was at, my jaw dropped when you were all there on stage and Tawny and Jack interrupted.
Jonathan Frakes: That was a smart way to do it, I think. Because it's its the kind of secret that I would have had trouble keeping because I always get in trouble for revealing spoilers. And I'm glad that they have teased it out because Lower Decks has a whole different fan base.
It's that adult, animated fan base some of whom came over for Rick and Morty with Mike McMahan, some of whom have discovered the show, some of whom are the really deep, inside baseball trackers who are enjoying all the easter eggs that are planted in Lower Decks, and kind of the blue angle that they take on the show. So it's that joining... Anson's a wonderful comedian. Rebecca is a wonderful comedian. Ethan's hysterical in the show. It's a really good fit to see these two casts together.
I cannot wait. And Star Trek: Discovery is ending in season 5, in 2024 when that premieres. Are you directing episodes of Discovery as well?
Jonathan Frakes: I did the first half of the finale of season 5. Then they did the second half. I was very sad to see that show come to an end. They're going to go up to Toronto soon, I think, [to] create some new material that will give the story a satisfying ending, is what I believe is happening. After all the years of having done my show, and then the other shows, and all the others, branching out and doing a lot of other directing, I was asked to go back into this new next, next generation Star Trek that started with me on Discovery season 1. And so, that was sort of my home show, my home Star Trek show. And I was very attached to the cast. Sonequa [Martin-Green] is an astounding leader.
I love her.
Jonathan Frakes: Who doesn't? And Michelle Paradise has created a world that is different than any of the other Star Treks. So it's been a wonderful ride and I'm sorry to see it come to an end, but I am filled with fabulous memories from working on that show.
I'm also very, very sad to see it end because I love Discovery. I thought it pushed Star Trek to boundaries that we've never really seen.
Jonathan Frakes: Yes!
And I think, in time, it'll get its laurels the way it really deserves. The way Deep Space Nine, the way Voyager...
Jonathan Frakes: I was just about to say the same thing. The way Deep Space Nine feels like it's been rediscovered.
Yes. And it feels contemporary. It feels like it was shot today. It's very relevant. I feel Discovery will get that also in time. But you direct Discovery, you direct Strange New Worlds, you direct Picard. You are Mr. Star Trek. I honestly believe you are the best person to direct the next Star Trek movie. What is going on with that movie?
Jonathan Frakes: Oh, with Star Trek 4? That's a really good question. I don't know much about that. I remember a couple years ago when Tarantino teased that he was going to direct it, which I thought was a fantastic idea. And then Noah Hawley from Fargo was attached. Another brilliant idea, brilliant writer. And [Matt Shakman] has gone off to do Fantastic Four, I think.
I'm not sure if they have a script, or if they had a script or a budget. I'm not sure at what stage Star Trek 4 is in. I did write an email to JJ [Abrams] and said, "If you need an experienced old white guy, I'm available." He wrote back, "Well, you certainly are experienced." So it's not for lack of asking, but I'm not sure what stage that movie is in. I love that cast.
Me too. I know Chris Pine has gone on the record many times, and so has Zachary Quinto, that they want to come back. They want to be Starfleet officers again and get back on the Enterprise.
Jonathan Frakes: And I think Karl [Urban] does too. I think all of them. And Simon [Pegg]. It's a great cast. I wish I knew more because I'm a big fan. I'm a big fan. And you know, JJ's Star Trek is what has influenced the look of Discovery and Picard and Strange New Worlds, without a doubt. The cinematic approach that he has taken to Star Trek is what has influenced all of us into the current TV versions.
About Trek Against Pancreatic Cancer & PanCAN PurpleStride 2023
PanCAN PurpleStride Los Angeles 2023 is back and takes place in cities all over the country, which means anyone can participate from anywhere. Sign up today and start helping fund pancreatic cancer research and PanCAN’s free programs and services that support patients and their families.
Register and Donate: Trek Against Pancreatic Cancer
About Star Trek: Picard Season 3
The third and final season of Star Trek: Picard features Jean-Luc Picard during the 25th century as he reunites with the former command crew of the USS Enterprise while facing a mysterious new enemy who is hunting Picard's son.
Check out our other Star Trek: Picard season 3 interviews here:
- Showrunner Terry Matalas
- Jeri Ryan
- Daniel Davis
- Gates McFadden
- Todd Stashwick
- Star Trek: Picard Season 3 Red Carpet
- Ashlei Sharpe Chestnut for the premiere and finale
Star Trek: Picard Season 3's finale streams Thursday, April 20, on Paramount+.