Star Trek: 10 Things You Didn't Know About Will Riker
9. Jonathan Frakes Had Some Serious Competition
Although fans would struggle to think of anyone other than Jonathan Frakes playing the role of Riker, during the casting process in TNG’s gestation he was just one of a horde of actors considered for the role.
Notable candidates included Billy Campbell, James Horan, Christopher McDonald, Eric Pierpoint, Erich Anderson, and Vaughn Armstrong, who would each go on to appear in other Star Trek roles across the series, as well as recurring Star Trek stalwart Jeffrey Combs (Tiron, Brunt & Weyoun from DS9, Penk from Voyager and Shran from Enterprise).
Originally second in line after Billy Campbell, who would later go on to play The Rocketeer in the 1991 film of the same name, a very early example of the superhero movie. After seven auditions over six weeks, having to impress both Roddenberry and various studio execs, Frakes was given the role, and Star Trek history was made.