Star Trek: Legacy would likely enlist an existing character as a recurring Admiral; should it be Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart), Will Riker (Jonathan Frakes), or Kathryn Janeway (Kate Mulgrew)? Star Trek: Picard season 3 explicitly set up a Legacy spinoff, with Captain Seven Of Nine (Jeri Ryan) in command of the USS Enterprise-G. Doubling down on the theme of legacy, that ship’s crew also features Lieutenant Sidney La Forge (Ashlei Sharpe Chestnut), daughter of the legendary Geordi La Forge (LeVar Burton) as well as Ensign Jack Crusher (Ed Speleers), the son of Dr. Beverly Crusher (Gates McFadden) and Jean-Luc Picard.
While the focus of Star Trek: Legacy would clearly be on the USS Enterprise-G, there would still be room for existing franchise characters to stop by occasionally. Virtually everyone involved with Star Trek: Picard has suggested they’d be open to returning in recurring roles should Star Trek: Legacy ever get off the ground. An easy way to include a high-ranking, popular character would be to have a designated Admiral to give the Enterprise-G its orders. There are three obvious candidates for that role, but only one would make the most sense to have a recurring role on Legacy.
Why Janeway Should Be Star Trek: Legacy’s Admiral
Admiral Kathryn Janeway is one of Starfleet’s most celebrated officers in the 25th century, name-dropped several times during Star Trek: Picard season 3 as a high-ranking, trustworthy Starfleet asset. Her exploits in the Delta Quadrant in Star Trek: Voyager have made Janeway the stuff of legend. She also has a strong bond with Seven Of Nine, having originally rescued her from the Borg Collective on Voyager.
That said, Admiral Janeway almost certainly will not be a part of Star Trek: Legacy. Janeway is currently starring in the animated, family-oriented series Star Trek: Prodigy, and it’s been made clear it’s unlikely she’ll cross over into other shows while that one is still in production. Star Trek: Picard season 3 showrunner Terry Matalas attempted to get a Janeway cameo in the show, but was told it wasn’t possible. Admiral Janeway, sadly, is otherwise occupied.
Why Riker Should Be Star Trek: Legacy’s Admiral
Captain Will Riker is really due for a promotion. The former commanding officer of the USS Titan, Riker checked out of semi-retirement in Star Trek: Picard season 3 to help Jean-Luc track down Beverly Crusher, and in the process he learned he still has plenty to offer as a Starfleet officer. Older, wiser, and funnier than in his Star Trek: The Next Generation days, Will Riker has become a natural leader in his old age.
To be Star Trek: Legacy‘s primary Admiral, Riker would not only have to get promoted, he’d have to leave retirement behind, which could complicate things with his newly reconciled wife, Counselor Deanna Troi (Marina Sirtis). That said, Riker could probably make it work. It also wouldn’t hurt to have director/producer Jonathan Frakes on hand to help mold Star Trek: Legacy in its earliest days.
Why Picard Should Be Star Trek: Legacy’s Admiral
Admiral Jean-Luc Picard remains one of the most iconic characters in all of Star Trek. From his turbulent beginnings in the early days of Star Trek: The Next Generation to the triumph of the TNG series finale “All Good Things,” Picard remained an intellectual, empathetic presence. The exploration of his later life in three seasons of Star Trek: Picard has only enriched the character further.
However, Jean-Luc Picard’s story appears to be told. Star Trek: Picard season 3, and in particular the series finale “The Last Generation,” felt like the final word on Jean-Luc Picard. Patrick Stewart has indicated he’d be open to returning occasionally to check in on Picard’s son Jack, but it seems highly unlikely the 82-year-old Stewart would take on another full-time television job as Picard.
Will Riker Should Be The Star Trek: Legacy Admiral
Will Riker is the obvious choice to be Star Trek: Legacy‘s recurring Admiral. Frakes has simply never been better in the role, and there’s still a surprising amount of storytelling potential with Riker. Frakes is also the most likely actor to be willing and available for the job.
If Star Trek: Legacy does ever get a green light, it will need to lean on some of the nostalgia that made Star Trek: Picard season 3 such a big success, while still plotting an original path forward with exciting new stories and character development. The show already has a pretty solid bridge crew assembled as of the end of Star Trek: Picard. Adding Admiral Riker to the mix might be the last necessary ingredient.
