Kate Mulgrew reflects on her impact as ‘Star Trek’s first female captain

What does it mean to be a Star Trek captain? For Kate Mulgrew, the answer has only grown more complicated — and more meaningful — over time, especially as Trek celebrates its 60th anniversary. Stepping onto the USS Voyager bridge in 1995 as Capt. Kathryn Janeway, Mulgrew didn’t contemplate legacy. She does now, though. As the first female captain to lead a series, Janeway became a cultural touchstone, particularly for women.

Men came around too…eventually. And while the show has undergone a long-overdue reassessment since the ship returned home, the role still defines the 72-year-old star, even as she has expanded light years beyond it with acclaimed stage performances, two memoirs, memorable roles in Orange Is the New Black and Mr. Mercedes, and her next project, The Yank, a series she’s starring in and producing.

How have your feelings about portraying a Star Trek captain evolved from when you landed the role in 1994 to now?

Kate Mulgrew: It’s an extraordinary privilege to play the first female captain, and to learn the significance it has had, particularly on women in STEM [educational initiatives in science, technology, engineering and mathematics], is amazing and deeply gratifying. At the same time, it did define me in a way I wasn’t prepared for. People always lead with Captain Janeway, whatever the conversation is. That continues to surprise me, but it has had a global impact.

That women connected with Janeway probably didn’t surprise you. How rewarding is it hearing that from men?

I’m delighted. That was the great concern. Could a woman be as palatable to a male demographic as Picard or Kirk? First season, it was challenging. There was great attention paid to my physicality — my look, my hair — when all I wanted was to find the source of her command. I became anxious until I went to the producers and said, “Please stop fooling around with my hair and let me find this woman. Then the men will come.” And that’s what happened. It was slow-moving because of the anxiety about a female failing, particularly after [original hire] Geneviève Bujold‘s defection. But I won this game because I’m a strong actress, and I loved Janeway. The men slowly divested themselves of their concern and allowed themselves to come to me as their captain. I could feel it.

What’s it been like being part of such a small, elite group of Trek captains?

I loved the captains who came before me, and knew them best — Avery Brooks, Bill Shatner, Patrick Stewart. I honored what they did. I’m less interested in those who came after because I’m only human. It’s an extremely territorial thing, a Star Trek captaincy. It is a huge plum, and to carry the banner for as many years as I have makes me feel that what came after could only come after what we did.

Voyager seems better regarded now than during its original run. How frustrating is it that it wasn’t as appreciated at the time?

Well, human beings are skeptical, challenging, cynical. And this was on the heels of Next Gen ending. Some fans were filled with resentment that it had to go, and in its place comes this woman. Nonetheless, we created some gorgeous Star Trek. We had Brannon Braga writing wonderful stories, and Rick Berman was a very good leader. I’m not surprised it’s taken years to be fully celebrated. This is true of anything great. It takes time for people to understand the import of any given creation, particularly Star Trek.

How much did the success of your later work make it easier to return and voice Janeway in Star Trek: Prodigy?

That’s why I did it. I was shooting Mr. Mercedes when I got the call from Alex Kurtzman. My life was rich, and the work was good. I thought nothing could be more enjoyable than voicing Hologram Janeway in Prodigy, which was beautifully constructed by [series creators] the Hageman Brothers. Then to record it in London while doing The Man Who Fell to Earth…. There always seems to be a genuine energy behind everything Star Trek–related after Voyager.

You’re on the phone now from Ireland, where you’re shooting The Yank with fellow Trek veteran Colm Meaney.

This is telling tales out of school, but we had a little love thing the other day.

You know that Star Trek fans’ heads will explode when they see you and Colm in a love scene, right?

Yeah, they will. I hope they love it. He’s a terrific actor. Colm danced in and out of Star Trek, but he has a long and illustrious career. I find him terrific. He elevates everything. So it’s great. And to realize this dream of producing [in my seventies] is even greater.

TV Guide Magazine’s Star Trek: The Captains Special Issue is available for order online now at StarTrek.TVGM2026.com, and for purchase on newsstands nationwide.

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