Star Trek: Voyager’s Kate Mulgrew comments on the potential of a new spinoff series centered on her character, Captain Kathryn Janeway.

Star Trek: Voyager's Kate Mulgrew comments on the potential of a new Star Trek spinoff series centered on her character, Captain Kathryn Janeway. Mulgrew portrayed the captain of the USS Voyager for seven seasons from 1995 to 2001. She has since reprised the role in Star Trek: Nemesis and Star Trek: Prodigy.

Captain Janeway led the crew of the vessel when the ship was stranded over 70,000 lightyears from Earth in the Delta Quadrant. With no way of contacting allies in an uncharted area of the galaxy, Janeway teams up with the surviving Maquis forces that she was once tasked with stopping to find a way home, encountering new species like the Kazon and Vidiians, as well as familiar foes like the Borg. The first female commanding officer to play a central role in a Star Trek series, Janeway is a fan-favorite captain, with Mulgrew portraying a holographic version of Janeway in the animated series Star Trek: Prodigy. However, beyond a cameo in Star Trek: Nemesis, Mulgrew has yet to reprise the role of Janeway in live-action.

Related: Star Trek: Voyager Originally Had A Different Captain Janeway

As reported by TrekMovie.com, Mulgrew addresses the possibility of a Janeway-led spinoff when asked by a fan at a panel during the 56-Year Mission Star Trek convention in Las Vegas. In response to the fan's question, she explains that the potential of a Janeway-led series would be reliant on fan reception, but admits there have been discussions about the series. While Mulgrew hasn't been approached with anything concrete, the star feels the producers behind the Star Trek series were looking to reactions to show's like Star Trek: Picard before moving forward. Check out her response below:

I would say simply, that’s up to you. There are talks. There are conversations. Have I been offered anything directly? No. I think they are looking at Picard and looking at the reaction to Picard… I don’t know, but I think Janeway was one of a kind. Right? But I do think it is up to you as much as it is up to me.

Mulgrew previously discussed Captain Janeway's live-action return following a reference to her made by Seven of Nine (Jeri Ryan) in Star Trek: Picard season 2. During an interview in June 2022, Mulgrew quickly ruled out Janeway making an appearance in Picard season 3, but said she feels the recent revitalization of the Star Trek franchise has renewed her interest in seeing where the character could potentially be since her last on-screen appearance. While later media like Nemesis and the Prodigy season 2 finale have offered glimpses at Janeway's later Starfleet career, it is clear that Mulgrew hopes to explore the character in greater detail in a project where she plays a more central role.

Despite Mulgrew initially being hesitant about a Janeway return in Star Trek: Prodigy, it is clear that she is eager to return to the franchise in a greater role. Janeway helped the franchise take a vital step forward by becoming the first female lead in a Star Trek series, while also endearing herself to audiences through her leadership during the long, dangerous voyage home in Star Trek: Voyager. With Mulgrew confirming that discussions had taken place and the Star Trek franchise enjoying a new period of prominence in pop culture, the chances of a new Captain Janeway-led series feel more likely than ever before.

Nathan is a young writer whose interest in film started when watching behind-the-scenes features on DVDs as a kid. He graduated with a degree in Film Studies. He has an interest in stories, how they can affect people and inspire. Nathan also has a fondness for comics and games, doing his best to keep up to date.