How Each Star Trek Captain Got Cast
5. Patience Combined With Opportunity Equals Victory
It is now relatively well-known that Kate Mulgrew was not the producer's first choice for the role of Captain Janeway. She originally auditioned via video tape when the producers announced casting, though she was not happy with her performance as the then-named Elisabeth Janeway.
She managed to secure an in-person audition later, though that same day, Geneviève Bujold was cast as 'Nicole Janeway'. A mere two days later, she left the part and Mulgrew, who had been the second choice for the role, took over the part.
History was made as Mulgrew became the first starring female captain in a Star Trek series. The show struggled a bit in its first year as it tried to figure out what it was going to be and do. While the series was set in the Delta Quadrant, there was a concerted effort not to have the ship in pieces each week. Janeway would have to hold the ship together, crew and all.
However, Mulgrew did feel frustrated by the changes her character went through in the early days. She once remarked that she felt time was being wasted on such trivialities as her hairstyle.
Things did eventually settle down and Star Trek Voyager would be the flagship show for the UPN, lasting seven seasons.