Star Trek: Voyager star Roxann Dawson isn’t coming back and that’s not good for Trek

Star Trek: Voyager’s Roxann Dawson directed some of the best episodes in franchise history and her lack of desire to return hurts the brand.

Star Trek has had some rough months lately. Strange New Worlds’ second season was underwhelming compared to its first season, Prodigy was canceled, and Picard and Discovery were ended (canceled) in part due to the ballooning costs the franchise has created and the lack of revenue that Paramount+ has struggled with.

That doesn’t even factor in the fact that Section 31 was turned from a series to a movie to save on money, the Kelvin films are shelved – possibly for good and despite two new shows being rumored only one – Starfleet Academy – has been greenlit.

It’s not been a good 2023 for the brand, which hurts even more when you realize how good 2022 was for it. It needs all the help it can, especially if “very Short Treks” is the new normal for quality in the franchise.

It needs better leadership. It needs people like Roxann Dawson. Dawson, who played B’elanna Torres on Voyager, doesn’t really act anymore and has taken up a role behind the scenes as a director. In fact, she got a lot of early experience directing Star Trek episodes. Not just any Trek episodes, but some of the best Enterprise has ever had.

But she has no interest in coming back, despite liking the direction of the franchise.

Star Trek needs Roxann Dawson to come back

When you look at the episodes she’s done, it’s clear she gets the most out of what she’s given. On Enterprise she directed some of the best shows the series had to offer “The Andorian Incident”, “Dead Stop”, “Dawn”, “Doctor’s Orders” and “E²” to name a few.

She’s capable of getting the most out of the talents on set, and the crew behind her, and for her to have no interest in Star Trek is not a good thing. Especially with some of the voices that currently guide the ship getting a little long in the tooth.

Star Trek needs new voices to helm the franchise forward. Dawson may not be completely fresh, having been a Trek veteran in front and behind the camera already, but she’s different. And right now different from what we’ve been getting is good.