Robert Beltran, who played Commander Chakotay on Star Trek: Voyager, believes Genevieve Bujold, originally cast as Captain Janeway, would have been excellent in the role. Kate Mulgrew ultimately became famous for playing Captain Kathryn Janeway after taking over from Bujold, and Beltran worked alongside Mulgrew for all seven seasons of the show.
Casting Genevieve Bujold, an Academy Award nominee, as the first female captain in a Star Trek TV series was a major win for Voyager. Unfortunately, it quickly became apparent that Bujold, who was used to making movies, struggled with the fast pace of television production. She ultimately left the show, and filming was put on hold until Kate Mulgrew was cast as Captain Janeway.
Robert Beltran recently appeared on the podcast The D-Con Chamber where he discussed his early experiences on the set of Star Trek: Voyager. He recalled starting around the same time as Genevieve Bujold, who briefly played Captain Janeway. Beltran admitted Bujold was a major reason he wanted the role and praised her often-criticized portrayal of the character. He expressed regret that she didn’t continue, believing she could have brought something truly unique to the role of Captain Janeway in Star Trek. You can find his exact words below.
I auditioned for the role hoping to work with Genevieve Bujold, who was originally cast as the Captain. I’d been a fan of hers, especially after seeing her in films like Anne of the Thousand Days – she was just wonderful. So I was really disappointed when she decided to leave the show.
We just happened to cross paths on set. I was trying out some new tattoo techniques with Michael Westmore while she was already filming. Tim Russ and Robbie Duncan-McNeill were also shooting scenes with her, I believe. One day I walked by and noticed a distant, almost vacant look in her eyes. I’d already heard whispers that she might not be with us much longer, and seeing her like that, I just thought, ‘That’s sad. It’s a shame.’
Everyone criticized a scene showing her on the bridge, mockingly shouting “Fire!” It wasn’t the way Patrick Stewart or Kate would have approached it. I actually witnessed her perform that scene from behind the camera, and I admired her courage and the bold choice she made. While anyone could yell “Fire!”, what she did was far more nuanced and difficult to pull off.
The people making Voyager likely realized Genevieve Bujold worked at a different pace for television than for movies, and they worried her approach might not translate well on screen. While Kate Mulgrew ultimately proved to be a strong Captain Janeway, Genevieve would have brought a completely fresh and unique perspective to the role.
Here’s a video of Robert Beltran on The D-Con Chamber. He talks about Genevieve Bujold and Star Trek: Voyager starting around 33 minutes in.
The story is well-known: when Star Trek: Voyager cast Genevieve Bujold, a highly respected and Oscar-nominated film actress, the show’s producers were thrilled. However, Rick Berman, an executive producer on Star Trek, had concerns. Bujold was accustomed to the more relaxed schedule of movie-making and preferred things like building relationships with the directors – a process that wasn’t feasible with the fast pace of television production.
As Berman anticipated, Genevieve Bujold found the quick and intense schedule of a network TV show overwhelming, particularly because Star Trek: Voyager was made during a time when shows needed 22 to 26 episodes each year. When Bujold left, production on Star Trek: Voyager halted for several days while Kate Mulgrew took over the role. The character’s name was also changed – from Nicole Janeway, as originally conceived with Bujold, to Kathryn Janeway.
Kate Mulgrew is considered one of the best Captains in Star Trek history, thanks to her role as Janeway on Star Trek: Voyager. Over seven seasons, she gained a new generation of fans. As a former Science Officer who rose to Captain, Janeway encouraged many young people to study science, technology, engineering, and math. In 2021, Mulgrew returned to the role, playing Admiral Kathryn Janeway and other versions of the character in Star Trek: Prodigy.
Mike McMahan, the executive producer of Star Trek: Lower Decks, thought about having Marina Sirtis reprise her role as Captain Janeway from an alternate reality, but he decided against it to show respect for Kate Mulgrew.
Many fans wonder what might have been if Genevieve Bujold had stayed on as Captain Janeway. Robert Beltran believes she could have been fantastic on Star Trek: Voyager, but struggled with the show’s fast-paced production.
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2025-11-10 04:49