INTERVIEW: Kate Mulgrew Talks About Returning to Captain Janeway in ‘Star Trek: Prodigy’

It feels like every twenty to thirty years Star Trek explodes back into the popular culture like a phoenix from the ashes, bringing with it a glut of new Star Trek shows (and films) to slake the thirst of its die-hard fans, and rope in some new ones in the process. We are currently in the midst of such a golden era, with Discovery, Picard, and Lower Decks, but also the premieres of brand new shows like Strange New Worlds and the new children’s animated show Star Trek: Prodigy. Prodigy brings with it the return of legendary Voyager Captain Kathryn Janeway and the acting talents of Kate Mulgrew.

We were lucky to have a brief moment with Mulgrew to ask her about her thought process and what she considered before agreeing to return to the role, and if we might see the return of some of her other beloved characters as well.

Nerds and Beyond: So now that the world is ready and excited for the return of Captain Janeway, can we perhaps hope that maybe the world is also now ready for the return of Mrs. Colombo as well?

Kate Mulgrew: (Laughs hard)

Nerds and Beyond: Joking aside, how did it feel when they approached you about returning to the role? What was your thought process like?

Kate Mulgrew: I gave it a minute. I gave it a minute, even though the phone call came directly from Alex Kurtzman, and he is someone I admire very much. I like his intelligence. I like the way he thinks. I love his love of Star Trek. Because often in a producer/creator those two things are not necessarily compatible, But in him there they are very, very much so. But, I had to sit on it for a minute because my creation of Kathryn Janeway was not only wholly invested – but I have to tell you, very, very defining, and that was a decade of my life that never ended. It just keeps going on and on. So the significance of Janeway is very apparent to me. If I’m going to step into some recording booth and bring her to life again, I better understand that. So after considering that for about, you know, two days, I said, I’d love to do it. And it’s been great.

Nerds and Beyond: Thank you so much!

Star Trek: Prodigy premieres October 28th on Paramount+.