Kate Mulgrew Reveals Fate Of Star Trek Janeway Show
Ever since Patrick Stewart came back for the Picard show on Paramount+, Star Trek fans have wondered if we might get a similar revival show for Kate Mulgrew’s iconic Captain Janeway. Unfortunately, the legendary actor poured some cold water on that speculation at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con. In an interview that touched on the possibility of a Janeway show, she admitted that she wouldn’t come back for such a live-action show unless the story was “spectacularly good,” something that she doesn’t think is really possible.
No Bad Blood
In a vacuum, that quote may sound pretty bad, but it is very clear that Mulgrew still has great affection for the franchise. On Star Trek: Prodigy, she has reprised the Janeway character, and that show is basically the Voyager reunion (Chakotay and the EMH also feature prominently) that fans have long been clamoring for. However, there is a world of difference between coming back to the franchise as a voice actor and coming back to headline a show with a grueling shooting schedule (Patrick Stewart has mentioned shooting for up to 16 hours a day for Picard’s third season).
Won’t Come Back Unless The Story Is Right
While the Star Trek veteran didn’t explicitly mention worries about long shooting schedules, she did touch on the topic of having already given Janeway’s live-action adventures her all decades ago. “I gave it everything I had for seven years, and it changed my life dramatically,” she said. “To come back, it would have to be spectacularly good…I don’t know if that’s possible.”
In other words, she wasn’t so much dunking on the skills of the current Star Trek writers but indirectly praising the earlier writers and directors who brought Captain Janeway’s adventures to life. She seems understandably proud of everything she accomplished decades ago and doesn’t want to come back unless a “spectacularly good” story can improve those original stories. Combined with some of Mulgrew’s other comments, it seems she might be implicitly criticizing Patrick Stewart’s decision to return for Picard.
Legacy Already In Place
Earlier in the interview, she mentioned having dinner with some of Star Trek: Prodigy’s creators the previous night about the topic of a Janeway show, and what she told them was “One has to be very careful that the situation is not hubristic.” Clarifying her comments and admitting how much she hates the word, she mentioned that her “legacy is already in place” from having been “the first female Captain” to headline a show in this franchise.
Trying To Avoid Another Picard
She said nothing about Star Trek icon Patrick Stewart directly, but since a Janeway show would follow in Picard’s footsteps, it certainly seems like what she said could be considered a bit of criticism toward her fellow actor. For example, Stewart’s decision to come back to the franchise and create two of the worst Trek seasons ever before finally sticking the landing could be considered an act of hubris (or, to use the words his character is scolded by, “sheer f***ing hubris!”)…an act of a man worried about his own legacy.
Honestly, given how bad most of Picard was compared to The Next Generation, it’s easy to see why Mulgrew wouldn’t want a solo show unless it could be better than existing Voyager episodes. We’re really on board with this because why bring these characters back if you can’t really bring them justice?
We Still Have Prodigy
Star Trek fans should take note, though, that Kate Mulgrew didn’t close the door completely on headlining a Janeway show…she just wants the same thing the fandom wants: a story worthy of the character. In the meantime, fans should take the time to stream Prodigy’s second season on Netflix and send the streamer a clear message that we want a season 3. Mulgrew herself wants this “unquestionably superior” show to return, and we’re happy to help make that happen.
After all, where this captain leads, we follow.
Source: Cinemablend
