Jonathan Frakes Enjoys Riker and Troi’s Romance Recreated In Star Trek: Starfleet Academy

Jonathan Frakes reminded two of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy‘s actors that he knows a lot about dating a Betazoid. Frakes played Commander William Riker on Star Trek: The Next Generation opposite Marina Sirtis as the Betazoid Counselor Deanna Troi. In Star Trek: Nemesis, Riker and Troi got married years after they met and began their romance on Betazed.

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Star Trek: Starfleet Academy is doing its own version of Riker and Troi’s romance with cadets Caleb Mir (Sandro Rosta) and Tarima Sadal (Zoë Steiner). Caleb, a human, and Tarima, a Betazoid, sparked an instant attraction, despite the Betazoid cadet enrolling in the rival War College instead of joining Caleb at Starfleet Academy.

In an exclusive interview with ScreenRant‘s John Orquiola, Zoë Steiner and Sandro Rosta recalled working with Jonathan Frakes, who directed Star Trek: Starfleet Academy episode 9. Frakes didn’t miss the chance to remind Rosta and Steiner about Riker’s romantic history with Troi, and gave Sandro an attaboy about Caleb “dating a Betazoid princess.” Read their quotes below:

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Zoe Steiner: Yeah, I remember the first day I met Jonathan. I’m trying to remember the exact words he said. Just something like it’s great to meet me, and he can’t wait to collaborate. And like, ‘You do know that my character was involved with a Betazoid?’ He said something like, ‘I have a real soft spot for the Betazoids.’

Sandro Rosta: He said something similar to me as well. We were filming episode nine, and Frakes is such a personable guy. And he would just put his arm around you and whisper in your ear, like a bit of his lore. He said something very similar to me, like, ‘You know, you’re kind of doing what I was doing back in the day. You’re dating a Betazoid princess.’ I’m like, ‘Yes, I am.’ He’s like, ‘You’re a lucky man. I know what it’s like.’

Jonathan Frakes cheekily calls Counselor Troi “a Betazoid princess,” but Deanna was really the daughter of Ambassador Lwaxana Troi (Majel Barrett). Similarly, Tarima Sadal is the President’s daughter. Their Betazoid powers may give them heightened sensitivity and empathy, but Tarima is tough, capable, and intelligent, just like Troi was.

However, Tarima’s Betazoid abilities are also more powerful and potentially more dangerous than Troi’s, which requires her to wear a neural inhibitor. Despite Tarima’s fears that her attraction to Caleb could make her lose control, Tarima and Caleb gave into their mutual attraction in Star Trek: Starfleet Academy episode 5.

Tarima and Caleb allow Star Trek: Starfleet Academy to explore Riker and Troi’s relationship in a way Star Trek: The Next Generation didn’t allow. Will and Deanna were older than Tarima and Caleb when they met on Betazed, and Star Trek: The Next Generation kept Riker and Troi’s relationship simmering for seven seasons until the TNG movies finally let them be a couple.

Jonathan Frakes must have been amused to come aboard and direct Star Trek: Starfleet Academy and find a young Riker and Troi-like couple. Frakes certainly does know a lot about romancing Betazoids. It will be fascinating to see if Frakes’ insight from nearly 40 years of playing half of Riker and Troi will impact Tarima and Caleb in Star Trek: Starfleet Academy episode 9.

Release Date

January 15, 2026

Network

Paramount+

Showrunner

Alex Kurtzman, Noga Landau

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