Jonathan Frakes Reveals William Riker's Admiral Status in Canceled Star Trek: Legacy

Paramount pulled the plug on Star Trek: Legacy, the much-hyped follow-up to Picard Season 3. Fans were buzzing for a series that would continue the 25th-century timeline, centered on Captain Seven of Nine, Raffi Musiker, and Jack Crusher, with The Next Generation crew in recurring roles. Now, Jonathan Frakes, beloved for his portrayal of William Riker, has offered a tantalizing glimpse into what Riker’s future would have looked like in the axed series.

Frakes revealed his insights during an appearance on Michael Rosenbaum's "Inside of You" podcast. He credited showrunner Terry Matalas for bringing the TNG cast back together for Picard's stellar third season, a reunion fans had waited decades for. Matalas apparently spoke with each actor about their character's trajectory, fueling Frakes' vision.

So, where would Commander Riker be? According to Frakes, he’d be an Admiral. "The legacy series where Jeri Ryan was left in the captain's seat, and I imagine Riker would be an admiral by this point…" Frakes speculated. This promotion would align Riker with Admirals Picard and Beverly Crusher. Other TNG crew members would see Data remain a Lieutenant Commander, Deanna Troi a Commander, and Worf a Captain. It's a bittersweet peek at a future we won't see, confirming that the TNG crew would have continued their distinguished careers within Starfleet.