With Star Trek: Starfleet Academy now streaming on Paramount+, both new cast members and familiar favorites are giving plenty of insight about the series, including the legendary Kate Mulgrew, who brought Kathryn Janeway to life in Voyager and later Prodigy.
TrekNews.net caught up with Mulgrew on the blue carpet at Starfleet Academy's premiere and asked what she thought of Robert Picardo returning to his character, The Doctor. She said, "I'm delighted for him if he's delighted for himself. And when we just hugged right now, he seems to be quite happy. It's not an easy thing to return to."
Mulgrew continued by saying:
"We stamped it--that was the 90s, we brought these characters to life. When you create something, like any other artist, I mean, you're doing it out of an original clay. So to revisit requires a certain discipline that calls on every part of your imagination, I should think. But he's a superb actor and he's a wonderful guy."
Mulgrew's affection for Picardo is obvious, and it's always gratifying for fans of multiple series when actors support each other this way because it adds a feeling of authenticity to the Star Trek legacy.
Imagine stepping back into a character or role. Would it be difficult, or would it feel like putting on a vintage jacket that always seemed to fit perfectly? Watching Picardo on Starfleet Academy suggests that becoming The Doctor again after last voicing the EMH in Prodigy probably wasn't too difficult, and for viewers, the character itself probably feels just as comfortable.
You can watch new episodes of Starfleet Academy on Paramount+ every Thursday through March 12, along with other franchise series. And for more Star Trek content, visit the Redshirts Always Die Facebook and X pages.