Jonathan Frakes Directs Final Star Trek Episode: Star Trek: Starfleet Academy 9

Jonathan Frakes confirmed that Star Trek: Starfleet Academy episode 9 is the final Star Trek episode he has directed. Written by Kirsten Beyer from a story by Beyer and Kenneth Lin, Star Trek: Starfleet Academy episode 9, "300th Night," is the first half of season 1's two-part finale, and premieres Thursday, March 5, on Paramount+.

Frakes began his directing career while he played Commander William Riker in Star Trek: The Next Generation. Including Star Trek: Starfleet Academy episode 9, Jonathan has helmed 31 episodes total of TNG, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Star Trek: Voyager, Star Trek: Discovery, Star Trek: Picard, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, and the feature films, Star Trek: First Contact and Star Trek: Insurrection.

In an exclusive interview with ScreenRant's John Orquiola about Star Trek: Starfleet Academy episode 9, Jonathan Frakes verified rumors that "300th Night" is the last episode of Star Trek he will direct "for the time being." See Frakes' quote below:

ScreenRant: This is the penultimate Starfleet Academy season 1 episode. Am I wrong that this is also the last episode of Star Trek that you directed, at least for the time being?

Jonathan Frakes: At least for the time being. Yes. I wouldn’t have been able to make the schedule [for the other shows].

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds seasons 4 and 5 were filmed in 2025, and filming of its series finale wrapped in December. Star Trek: Starfleet Academy season 2's filming began in August 2025 and wrapped in late February 2026. Jonathan Frakes says that didn't work with his schedule in 2025, which included launching his new podcast with Brent Spiner, Dropping Names... And Other Things.

The final episode of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds that Jonathan Frakes directed was "A Space Adventure Hour," the holodeck murder mystery episode of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 3. Unfortunately, "A Space Adventure Hour" wasn't as acclaimed or warmly received as "Those Old Scientists," Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2's crossover with Star Trek: Lower Decks that Frakes also helmed.

Beyond Star Trek, Jonathan Frakes has directed episodes of many TV series like Roswell, Castle, The Librarians, The Orville, and the feature films Clockstoppers and Thunderbirds. However, Frakes is best known and most beloved as the favorite director of the various Star Trek on Paramount+ casts the affable, bearded legend has worked with, starting with Star Trek: Discovery.

Star Trek: Starfleet Academy episode 8 is Jonathan Frakes' last Star Trek directorial gig, "at least for the time being," as there is currently no new Star Trek in production. When Paramount Skydance decides on what the next direction of Star Trek will be, and whether it will continue Alex Kurtzman's run as Star Trek executive producer, Jonathan Frakes would likely be happy to return and direct whatever Star Trek comes next, if asked.