Jonathan Frakes, a renowned science fiction director, and Star Trek icon is set to produce and direct the six-episode miniseries Arthur C. Clarke’s Venus Prime. Based on a series of six books written by Paul Preuss, the show follows Sparta, a genetically engineered woman, as she solves interplanetary mysteries. The project is written and showruner by David Cormican and Dwayne Hill, with Frakes expressing his excitement to be involved. “When the materials for Arthur C. Clarke’s Venus Prime were presented to me, I couldn’t help but devour them,” Frakes said. “When asked if I wanted to direct what I read —my answer was a resounding and immediate ‘Hell, yes!’ Working on such a tremendous piece of IP from the mind of another sci-fi legend will be both an honor and a dream for me.”
Frakes’ extensive experience in the science fiction genre makes him an ideal fit for the project. Born in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, Frakes began his career as a costumed Captain America for Marvel Comics before becoming a TV actor, known for his recurring roles on Falcon Crest and North and South. He landed the role of William Riker on Star Trek: The Next Generation in 1987 and went on to direct several episodes of the series, launching a successful TV directing career.
Jonathan Frakes (Via Jonathan Frakes/Twitter)
In addition to his work on Star Trek, Frakes has directed numerous TV episodes for series like Leverage, Burn Notice, and The Librarians. He has also gained cult fame for hosting the fact-based series Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction and has recently returned to the Star Trek universe, directing episodes of Star Trek: Discovery, Star Trek: Picard, and Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. Frakes has also reprised his role as Riker on Picard and the animated Star Trek: Lower Decks.
Arthur C. Clarke’s Venus Prime will be produced by Anand Ramayya and Juliette Hagopian, alongside Frakes, Cormican, and Hill. The series will be executive produced by Christopher Rush-Harrington and Michael Hamilton-Wright of Volume Global, Roberto Vivo of Claxson, and Bernd Schlötterer of Palatin Media. With Frakes at the helm, the series is sure to be a thrilling and thought-provoking science fiction show. The project’s impressive team, including Frakes, Cormican, and Hill, is set to bring the world of Sparta and her interplanetary mysteries to life. As production is set to begin in Canada later this year, fans of science fiction can expect to be transported to a world of wonder and discovery with Arthur C. Clarke’s Venus Prime.
