Jonathan Frakes Reveals How The Orville Perfectly Channels Star Trek: The Next Generation

by

Moving towards summer 2025, sci-fi enthusiasts are still eagerly anticipating updates regarding Season 4 of “The Orville”. Adrianne Palicki’s recent statement seems to indicate that it may not materialize, which conflicts with Scott Grimes’ statement from last year about the show being in production. In the meantime, let’s delve into Jonathan Frakes’ insights about how the series mirrored the style of “Star Trek: The Next Generation“.

Legendary figure Frakes, known for his contributions to both sides of the “Star Trek” camera, expressed warm sentiments about “The Orville” during his talk at Indiana Comic Con. Collider shared insights into the icon discussing his directing experiences on the series and the fellow “Trek” stars who have lent their talents to it.

Seth MacFarlane is undoubtedly one of our most prominent celebrity supporters. Not only did he bring on board Brannon Braga, who has worked on many of our finest works, but he also recruited me to direct, Marvin Rush as the cinematographer, and Robbie Duncan McNeill to helm a few episodes. In essence, MacFarlane heavily relied on the Star Trek: The Next Generation team’s expertise. Many people anticipated it would be a light-hearted production—and indeed it was humorous—but it also boasted a rich tapestry of lore and depth. MacFarlane is an exceptional storyteller, and he has a clear vision for his work.

It wasn’t brought up that Penny Johnson Jerald acted in both “Star Trek” and “The Orville,” perhaps because she dislikes being compared between them. However, it’s no secret that Seth MacFarlane’s show borrowed heavily from the formula that made “The Next Generation” thrive, as MacFarlane himself is a die-hard “Trek” fan. Intriguingly, MacFarlane was once an extra on the cast of “Enterprise,” which was produced towards the end of the “TNG” era.

Fans of “The Orville” may recognize its resemblance to “Star Trek,” and many actors from the former franchise have joined its cast. Unfortunately, like the original “Trek” series, the show’s future is uncertain after three seasons, which can be streamed with a Disney+ subscription.

On Disney+, you can currently stream “The Orville” at an affordable price. The family-friendly entertainment starts from $9.99 per month with their ad-supported plan. For an ad-free experience, the cost is $15.99 monthly, or opt for a 16% discount and pre-pay $159.99 annually to enjoy a full year of uninterrupted streaming. Check it out now! [View Deal]

If it brings any comfort, Seth MacFarlane designed Season 3 to allow the show to carry on and reach a satisfying conclusion. The second-to-last episode showcased significant advancements that a new season might delve into, while the final episode offered a resolution for the characters that could potentially serve as the series finale should it be needed.

Regardless, it seems reasonable to assume that numerous fans are feeling disgruntled about the current state of affairs, and questioning why Disney or Hulu hasn’t made any announcements regarding the renewal or cancellation of The Orville. It’s been over three years since Season 3 ended, and fans have been eagerly awaiting news on a potential Season 4 for quite some time. I must confess that I’m hopeful we might receive some sort of update during San Diego Comic-Con this year, but to be honest, I’m bracing myself for the possibility that it may once again be overlooked.

Keep on watching “The Orville” on Disney+ and Hulu, and perhaps we’ll hear some updates soon about another season. As for Star Trek, it now streams on Paramount+, and there are plenty of new Trek series in the pipeline for sci-fi enthusiasts to look forward to.

Read More

2025-06-10 03:39