Summary
OneStar Trekactress is interested in reprising her role as the captain of the Starfleet ship USS Voyager in another live-action project. However, she wanted the character to be written in such a certain way that she be “exalted.”
TheStar Trekfranchise has been around for over 50 years already.Star Trekhas been so successful that it spawned multiple movies and TV series over the years. Some of the actors in the franchise have appeared in multiple projects, and one has expressed her interest in bringing back her character, so long as she’s written in a way that would keep her dignified.
Kate Mulgrew attended the Comic-Con and participated in theStar Trek: Prodigypanel.She playedCaptain Kathryn JanewayinStar Trek: Voyager,which aired from 1995 to 2001.She appeared in 168 episodes over seven seasons and reprised the role inStar Trek: Nemesis(2002) and the 4D film for theStar Trek Experienceattraction in Las Vegas in 2004. She also voiced Captain Janeway in variousStar Trekvideo games. She again played the same role in the animated seriesStar Trek: Prodigy. When asked about the possibility of playing the role once more, the 69-year-old actress said she was open to it so long as she approved the script. She had even discussed the matter with filmmaker Alex Kurtzman, who executive-producedStar Trek: Discovery, Star Trek: Picard, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Star Trek: Lower Decks,andStar Trek: Prodigy.
According toMovieweb, Mulgrew said, “I just had dinner with Alex Kurtzman the other night, we talked about this. It would have to be impeccable. It would have to be without hubris. It would have to be authentic. And it would have to be so bloody good that I would in no way question any element of it.” Mulgrew admitted that she had some requirements that must be met to playCaptain Janeway in live-actionagain, especially since it had been over two decades since she last played it. One of her conditions was to give the character proper respect and treatment while noting that she was very protective of Captain Janeway. She added, “I mean, to come back after 25 years, into a character that was once not only revered by me, but loved by me. I have to take care of my character. So I’ve just said to Alex, you know, I love her. She will never be misused, but she must be exalted. And the writing has to be somewhere from heaven. So we’ll keep this conversation alive. But so far, it’s a conversation.”
There is no doubt that Trekkies will be thrilled about the possibility of seeingMulgrew as Captain Janewayagain. Janeway was one of the most decorated captains in Starfleet history. She showed legendary leadership as she commanded the starship USS Voyager during its journey through the Delta Quadrant. Under her guidance, they encountered dozens of new planets and made first contact with more civilizations than any Federation captain since James T. Kirk. According to previous reports, French-Canadian actress Geneviève Bujold was supposed to play the character, but she quit two days after filming because she found the episodic TV show too demanding, so it was offered to Mulgrew. The new lead accepted it and suggested giving the character the first name Kathryn, as it was initially named Nicole Janeway. It seemed that the character was really meant for Mulgrew, who made history as the first female captain series regular in a leading role.Voyagerwas renewed after its first programming seasonand went to air for seven seasons, earning Mulgrew her Saturn Award for Best TV Actress in 1998. While Bujold can definitely pull off the character, there is no doubt that Mulgrew played it so well that one couldn’t imagine another actress playing Captain Janeway. At present, there is no definite project for Mulgrew to reprise the beloved character, but fans are hopeful that there will be development soon and Captain Janeway will officially be back in another live-action project.
