Star Trek's Kate Mulgrew Almost Didn’t Return as Janeway in Prodigy

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Star Trek: Prodigy star, Kate Mulgrew, is explaining why she almost did not reprise her role as Kathryn Janeway. The animated science-fiction show created by Kevin and Dan Hageman is the 10th show in the Star Trek franchise and the first to target younger audiences, premiering on Paramount+ back in October 2021 and airing on Nickelodeon two months later. Set in 2383, the show follows a group of young aliens who board and fly an abandoned Federation ship, the USS Protostar. Shortly after its debut, a Prodigy season 2 was announced. In addition to Mulgrew, who returned to play her character from 1995's Star Trek: Voyager, the show stars Brett Gray, Ella Purnell, Jason Mantzoukas, Angus Imrie, and Dee Bradley Baker.

The character of Kathryn Janeway is notable as she was the first female captain to appear in a central role in a Star Trek series. She headed the USS Voyager after it vanished into the Delta Quadrant and eventually became Vice-Admiral upon its return. In Prodigy, Janeway appears as a training hologram who advises the young alien crew, though the real Janeway does make an appearance in a later episode. Prior to the show's initial release, Mulgrew spoke about her emotional return as Janeway, saying it felt nostalgic and that the experience of going forward was moving to her.

Related: Before Prodigy, Nickelodeon Already Created Its Own Star Trek

Now, in a recent interview with RadioTimes.com, Kate Mulgrew discusses why she almost did not return in the new series. She explained that when she was approached, the idea was that she would attract an older audience and the children would come as a result, but admitted that she had some hesitation. Ultimately, after consulting those closest to her, Mulgrew decided it