Kate Mulgrew was hesitant about playing Captain Janeway again

Star Trek: Prodigy brings back Captain Janeway

Star Trek: Prodigy producers have already said they immediately wanted Kate Mulgrew to be the hologram aboard the ship discovered by teen aliens trying to escape their planet. And although Mulgrew played the role for many years and had created a legion of fans the world over, she was initially hesitant about picking up with the role she hadn’t played in a while.

It wasn’t that she was afraid she couldn’t become Janeway again. In an interview with Collider’s Steve Weintraub, she said the role was just so important and that chapter of her life, playing Janeway for seven years, was so vivid, hard, worthwhile, and singular that the thought of bringing her back to life was enough to give her hesitation.

Captain Janeway’s hologram takes flight on Star Trek: Prodigy

Having played Captain Kathryn Janeway for 172 episodes, Mulgrew knew how difficult that role was, and she was concerned that to call it all back again would be too taxing. Fortunately, though, the 66-year-old actress says quite the opposite has happened.

Returning to the part has been freeing for Mulgrew, and she said she is having the time of her life voicing the role that made her famous in the Star Trek franchise, which is a good thing considering it would have been strange to have a ship stuck in the Delta Quadrant and not have Captain Janeway present in some capacity.

With Star Trek: Prodigy ready to teach newcomers the ins and outs of Star Trek, Kate Mulgrew will provide the voice of logic, be a mentor, and guide the teen characters (and the viewers) on their journey into a galaxy they never even knew existed.

Star Trek: Prodigy will air the one-hour season premiere on Paramount+ on October 28, 2021 with additional episodes airing the following Thursdays.