Key Takeaways
- Kate Mulgrew is open to returning as Captain Janeway in a Picard-style show, but only for a compelling storyline.
- Janeway could explore emotional themes after the events of Picard’s final season, possibly facing old foes like the Changelings.
- Despite the potential,
Star Trek: Janeway
is just a dream until Mulgrew is presented with a worthy premise.
Though Star Trek fans had very mixed feelings about Star Trek: Picard, the series gave them the opportunity to see one of their favorite captains back on the bridge. Now, another fan-favorite captain is talking about the possibility of returning to the Star Trek universe for their own Star Trek: Picard-style show.
Kate Mulgrew, known to fans as Captain Kathryn Janeway, was a Trekverse pioneer in myriad ways. She was the first female captain in the lead role of a Star Trek series. Her crew was the first to explore the Delta Quadrant, making it the first Trek show to take place almost entirely outside the Alpha Quadrant. Janeway was the original #GirlBoss of the Treverse, inspiring a generation of girls and women.
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Though Mulgrew returned to the iconic role of Janeway via voice acting in Star Trek: Prodigy, fans haven’t seen Janeway in the flesh since her appearance in the Star Trek: The Next Generation movie Star Trek: Nemesis. In a recent interview with Collider, Mulgrew said she hasn’t ruled out the possibility of coming back to the Treverse if she was offered her own show, especially if the premise was good enough.
‘I haven’t closed the door’
In the interview, Mulgrew revealed that she has discussed the possibility of a Picard-style show featuring Janeway with the creative team behind the Paramount+ Star Trek universe.
“[Alex] Kurtzman has talked to me about this, of course he has. Janeway is beloved.”
But as of right now, she hasn’t heard a pitch that would convince her to bring Janeway back to the screen. Mulgrew is notoriously protective of her groundbreaking character, for obvious reasons. She told Collider that the only way she’d reprise Janeway in a live-action series was if the writers gave her an unforgettable storyline.
“It would have to be so good. And I’m not sure it has all of the elements I need it to have,” Mulgrew explained.
That being said, Mulgrew hasn’t completely ruled out a live-action Janeway series. If she does hear a pitch that meets her high standards, it could happen. As the Paramount+ Trekverse has proven time and time again, nothing is impossible.
What Could ‘Star Trek: Janeway’ Explore?
In spite of its flaws, Star Trek: Picard admirably succeeded at one thing — exploring aspects of fan-favorite Star Trek characters that their previous series never had space to examine. As the captain of the U.S.S. Enterprise, Picard hardly ever got to be vulnerable or deal with the complex traumas he’d faced, and Picard made space for those topics, while showing that Picard could maintain his strength, resilience, and heroism through his struggles.
If Star Trek: Janeway ever came to fruition, it could similarly examine Janeway. The series could pick up in the aftermath of the events depicted in Picard’s final season. With the Borg finally eliminated and the Changeling threat under control, for now, Janeway could focus on Admiral Janeway’s work to stabilize Starfleet after the tumultuous events of the first two years of the 25th century. The show would also be an excellent opportunity to explore how Janeway emotionally dealt with a recurrence of the Borg threat, the final destruction of the Borg, and the infiltration of Starfleet by Changelings.
Of course, Picard’s finale left plenty of room for the Changelings to return as a major adversary for Starfleet. Janeway could also tackle a continued Changeling threat and maybe even a return of the Dominion. The possibilities are limitless.
Star Trek fans shouldn’t hold their breath, though. Until Mulgrew sees a premise worthy of Janeway’s return, Star Trek: Janeway is little more than a dream.
Star Trek: Voyager
Follow Captain Kathryn Janeway and her diverse crew in Star Trek Voyager as they navigate the distant Delta Quadrant, encountering new civilizations, alliances, and adversaries. This iconic sci-fi series blends thrilling exploration with compelling character dynamics, inviting viewers to witness the resilience and unity that define the Voyager’s quest for home.
- Release Date
- January 16, 1995
- Seasons
- 7
- Creator
- Rick Berman, Michael Piller, Jeri Taylor
- Number of Episodes
- 172
- Network
- UPN
- Streaming Service(s)
- Paramount+
Sources: Collider, Star Trek: Picard, Star Trek: Voyager