In an interview with Michael Rosenbaum on the ‘Inside of You’ podcast, ‘Star Trek: Picard’ director Jonathan Frakes reflected on Patrick Stewart’s humility and cooperativeness in an industry that often inflates egos.
As revealed by Frakes in recent statements, Patrick Stewart, who is a long-time colleague and friend of Frakes, stands out for his approachable and adaptive nature on set:
“He’s putty. Absolute putty. He doesn’t give me any grief. No, he knows if I’m coming to him, I’ve either got an idea that he inspired or that he maybe missed a moment that he might like to try, or he’ll say, ‘I know, Jonny. Act better.’ And I’ll say, ‘Yeah, that would be great.’ Or his other thing is, ‘I know what you mean, Jonny. Think faster.’… But we’ve done a lot together. I mean, a lot.”
According to Frakes, Stewart is always ready to consider suggestions, whether they involve a new concept or refining a performance detail.
You can watch the rest of the interview below.
Frakes’ Works With Patrick Stewart
Frakes and Stewart portrayed Commander William Riker and Captain Jean-Luc Picard in ‘Star Trek: The Next Generation’ (TNG). This collaboration laid the foundation for a professional relationship that would span decades. Frakes has since directed Stewart in various Star Trek projects, including the recent series ‘Star Trek: Picard.’
Beyond ‘Star Trek: Picard,’ Frakes continues to expand his directing portfolio. His upcoming project is ‘Deathlands,‘ a post-apocalyptic science fiction series. His future involvement in Star Trek, including the proposed spin-off ‘Star Trek: Legacy,’ remains uncertain.
‘Star Trek: Picard,‘ in which Stewart reprised his role, was created for CBS All Access (now Paramount+). The series has received positive reviews and numerous accolades, including a Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Award for its prosthetic makeup.
