Watching the "Original" Janeway (Kate Mulgrew Glazing)

Thank God we didn't end up with a single season of Voyager with Cpt. Catherine Plainway leading the way

I did see an interview with background context for the recast from people involved, which explained why it wasn’t working. There were several factors at play, like no one explained the gist of the technobabble so from her perspective she might as well have been reading a recipe. If you don’t know what red alert is and all you see on set is a blank wall (as the view screen is added post production) it’s bound to fall flat. I think there were issues with scripts coming to her very late and no one prepared her for the gruelling schedule of filming 5 minutes of footage esch 18 hour day. It would have been more interesting to see her reading for the part. What exactly did they see in the auditions that persuaded them she was the one? If they had her read her private conversation with Mark, or her 1-2-1 with Tom Paris, she could have had people welling up. In contrast, that action scene could have people slipping into a coma with boredom.

I told you you’d like Janeway. Didn’t I tell you??

Geneviève Bujold did have a long career and had many award, and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress for the movie "Anne of the Thousand Days" (1969) I think you might like the movie "Coma" (1978). Maybe give it a watch. looking at this footage, I would agree, they made the right choice.

You should react to the original or alternate TNG theme by Dennis McCarthy https://youtu.be/RN0RnLeHm7U?si=9Y7ZsYFFjClI9PHG

Couple of things: In "Back to the Future," Micheal J. Fox was ALWAYS their first choice. But he turned them down because he was in the midst of filming a fairly successful sitcom at the time. Eric Stoltz was their second choice. And it's not that he was unlikable or "difficult," he just ultimately didn't have the vibe for the character the screenwriters and director wanted. So they let him go. He's still a moderately successful actor and has been in sime interesting things. Anyways, after they fired him, they worked out a deal with Fox and the sitcom, where Fox would fit in filming BttF around his sitcom filming. Dude hardly slept for months and was juggling two major characters. Most impressive. As for the original Janeway actress, that was more of a mutual split. Her style wasn't working for them, and the realities of shooting Star Trek (16-hour days) and really complicated sci-fi dialogue were just not vibing with her, so she wanted out just as much.

I've seen this a few times and it always struck me that she just seems so uninterested. In fairness, she was perfectly cast if they wanted a Vulcan Captain :)

Confirmed! Kate Mulgrew will be at the STLV Trek to Vegas 60th Anniversary 2026

also winrich Kolbe knew from the get-go that it wasn't going to work even though he tried talking with her and encouraging her. Thank GOD we got kate

The re-shoot for the main character in the pilot episode of Star Trek: Voyager was a major factor in making "Caretaker" one of the most expensive television episodes ever produced at the time, costing an estimated $23 million

This video has barely a moment of the other scene which Bujold -- but it does detail some of the events which occurred during those early days of production and you can safely (spoiler-free) view from this point in the video (14:25) until the conclusion of the portion about the production of the score (22:22) --- https://youtu.be/h8lNTPXE6s4?si=mJ3Y0Z-oK_BPNg6r&t=866

How do you guys manage going to conventions but avoiding spoilers? Do you walk around wearing blinders and ear plugs?

Loved Kate Mulgrew on Mrs. Columbo, that may be because a family friend, Don Stroud, was also on that show. That being said Mulgrew killed it as Captain Janeway.

There is footage of another important scene as well, the Tuvok Janeway scene....yeah she didn't work for me either. Mulgrew got it right from the start.

I cannot imagine that version of Janeway doing ANY of the things I remember Janeway for having done.

There's additional scenes with "the original Janeway." Thank God it didn't work out. From what I understand it was mutual. Bujold couldn't handle the fast-paced rigor of 90s television and also didn't project the command style needed for a Star Trek captain. Mulgrew is great and Janeway is great because of Mulgrew.

Pre Voyager, I had only seen Mulgrew in the RIDICULOUSLY wonderful, campy, martial arts/action movie (I want to say spoof, but it's one of those movies where it's almost impossible to tell if it's meant seriously or not) "Remo: Unarmed and Dangerous." She played a military officer and was basically Janeway in that role. So, if you're looking for a crazy fun movie that could be considered alternative-universe Janeway, I think you'd really enjoy that one.

I was super excited to see you'd done a reaction to Geneviève Bujold playing Captain Janeway but after watching it, I have to point out that you picked the most boring scene to react to! There are two others out there that give a much better sampling of her style in acting Janeway. This scene is all business and official and there wasn't a ton to work with to begin with... The other scenes give a much better contrast to the two actresses. Any chance you'll follow up with a reaction to the other scenes? Please??

You nailed it Josh! I've made no secret throughout TNG that Deanna was my favourite long before she became yours. Having a calm almost sleepy voice is great for a Counsellor who wants her patients to feel relaxed, not exactly ideal for a Captain though. Of course as you implied, later Deanna showed she could show her authority too.

The only thing i know the original actress for is her role in one of my favourite disaster movies, Earthquake (1974). I saw her name in the credits on my first watch of it and just remembered her scenes as Janeway lol. No-one can say 'It's not crunch time yet Mr Kim, at ease before you sprain something' like Kate. 😂

I believe they also had to reshoot elements of the pilot due to the network not liking Kate Mulgrew hairstyle.

I don't remember the reasons why, but, let's be honest, technobable probably is not for every actor, can't be easy

Robert Duncan McNeil (Tom Paris), said on his podcast, that the entire cast was on edge because they were told that the show would be cancelled if they didn't find a replacement quickly. Kate Mulgrew flew in only a few days later, walked on set and delivered a scene in one take and the entire cast had a sigh of relief.

I definitely prefer Mulgrew's crispy voice over the original actress very soft Canadian-french voice

this janeway would have died by season 2

Well, you've probably got plenty of comments that it ended up a mutually agreed departure and some circumstances. That she called time and let them move on - Kate Mulgrew was an incredible find and doesn't get enough love. So I'm glad you guys are on course already.

Alex and Josh- Just checked the flier from the convention you are attending Mulgrew/Janeway- Saturday $90 photo op/$80 autograph tim Russ/Tuvok- Saturday $55 photo op/$45 autograph Frakes- Wed-FRi $80 photo ops, selling autographed merch at his own table Gates McFadden- Wed-FRi $80 photo ops, selling autographed merch at his own table Cirroc Lofton/Jake Sisko- Wed-Sun $40 photo ops, sell autographed merch at own table Philip O'Reilly/Gowron- Wed-Sun $40 photo ops, sell autographed merch at own table Robert Picardo/EMH Doctor- Wed-Fri $80 photo ops, sell autographed merch at own table Natalia Nogulich/Admiral Nechyaev- Wed-Sun $40 photo ops, sell autographed merch at own table

I recall reading that it was actually the actor herself who said that it wasn't working.

Both Geneviève Bujold and William Shatner were born in my hometown of Montreal, Quebec. Both became film actors at roughly the same time (early 1960s for Bujold and mid-50s for Shatner), but only one of them was a proper fit for the role of a Starfleet captain. While her filmography includes a laundry list of films that every film student has seen and analyzed at least one of, futuristic sci-fi is simply not in her wheelhouse

Kate Mulgrew had the character instantly, I'm so glad the 1st choice did not work, also do we need another French captain?

Geneviève Bujold starred as Anne Boleyn in “Anne of the Thousand Days,” with Richard Burton as Henry VIII… and John Colicos as Cromwell!

Kate Mulgrew definitely gave a more fiery performance than this actress in the pilot. I wonder if that influenced the direction of Janeway's character way down the line (a topic for another day). I've certainly heard that the way an actor performs a character can influence the writing/storylines developed for them. I guess O'Brien is the obvious example there, or even Picard who changes so much from his S1 characteristics.

Kate Mulgrew was born to be an actress. She was definitely the best performance and best character on an otherwise kind of meh series on Netlflix called Orange is the New Black. She played a mean as hell sketchy Russian mobster lady who ran the prison cafeteria, , couldn't be more different than Janeway.

Bujold was a very well known movie actress. It’s funny how someone that was a household name to me is unknown by younger folks. So goes fame. She definitely didn’t have the energy for this role. Kate Mulgrew was perfect.

I'd never actually seen this before. Mulgrew was definitely the better choice! Love how much you're loving Janeway so far. I love pretty much all the captains but Janeway is my favourite. Don't think that would've been the case with this actress.

I've gotten the impression that Ms Bujold's departure was akin to how B'Elanna described Starfleet Academy. "I made it to the second year before we... mutually decided it wasn't the place for me." At least it only took 2 days for Voyager to realize!

Of course the First officer dude has more energy the second time. He just witnessed Bujold being sacked for no energy!

Janeway is my favourite captain and I’m loving that you’re both enthusiastic about her character and Mulgrew’s portrayal. She’s steely, decisive, self-assured, she cares 200%, but also has doubts and vulnerabilities and moments of weakness like anyone with a brain would.

Bujold is a very accomplished actress with tons of credits on her Wiki page. Without knowing this you were both incredibly gracious and kind to her after watching what might have been her worst moments on film. Kudos to you both for being such gentlemen. Totally out of character! 😂JK.

What gets me from those clips is how consistent all the other actors were in their performances. Almost exactly the same as the reshoots.

If I remember correctly she even knew herself she wasn't right for the role and after shooting this choose to remove herself also.

The word is, Genevieve Bujold wasn’t prepared for the grind that was American TV in the 90s. I have seen her in other stuff and she IS a good actor. I think the kindest thing I can say is, Voyager would have been VERY different with her as Captain. And I’m so glad we got Kate Mulgrew. Bubbling with energy and charisma. Incidentally, Denise Crosby and Marina Sirtis were apparently trying for each other’s roles, too ☠️ so weird to think about.

Kate Mulgrew was the best choice for Janeway. Ms. Mulgrew came from the soap opera life and she kept that intense work ethic all throughout Voyager. She was Ryan from the old soap opera Ryan's Hope. So she was used to doing massive amounts of daily dialog memorization so going to a show that filmed over a week instead of daily she was able to really get into the part. If you watch her facial micro expressions you can see some of that soap opera stuff but it works in the Star Trek world.

What size shirts do you guys wear? I would definitely buy you guys some shirts, just don't want to guess on sizes

The original actress is and was a top French-Canadien actress who had been in many "serious" movies and instead of being slightly "campy" treated this like it was some serious Broadway play and played it too "straight" and serious. You can tell from the grey hair that they were trying to make her look older and serious but it made her come off as wooden. Mulgrew's Janeway comes across as a late 30s powerful woman who rose up the ranks quickly by being a star officer. As Alex pointed out she was able to have her guard down with Mark on the zoom call and then walk on the bridge with gravitas. The original actress made this seem like a Shakespeare play and that energy or lack thereof showed

Yeah, what an improvement! Kate Mulgrew walked unto that bridge in full comfort and control. She WAS the Captain. 🖖

I met Kate Mulgrew at the 30th Anniversary Star Trek convention in 1996 in Huntsville, Alabama. She was getting ready for an interview by Entertainment Tonight and waiting for the crew to finish prep so she was signing autographs. I got up to see her and they said they were ready and she looked at me with a really genuine smile and said “sorry”, but then they had something happen so she was able to sign the photo I had of Janeway. She was extremely nice and gracious.

Proof that we live in the good Timeline.

I can't imagine anyone other than Kate Mulgrew in the role. She literally had a few days to prepare. That was it. She knocks it out of the park right from the start and continues all the way through the series. She never phones it in. She's absolutely one of the best parts about the show. "Caretaker" is one of the most expensive pilots ever filmed. They essentially filmed large sections of it 3 times. The first time with Bujold, then a second time with Mulgrew (albeit with her actual hair), and then a third time with the infamous "Bun of Steel" wig after they felt her actual hairstyle wasn't working as well. And then, years later, they essentially return to Janeway's first natural hairstyle.

Okay, the story about the pilot of Voyager is insanely expensive. I'll give the brief version but basically, Pre production, filming, capt replaced, Mulgrew's/Janeway's Hair was changed, so multiple reshoots at various locations, completely new sets, costumes, aliens, etc. Pre development to Completion of the new premanent sets, the pilot cost 26 million dollars for UPN/Paramount (according to Brannon Braga who came on as producer from episode 2 onward). But pilot episode costs/budgets weren't reported the way they are now (:LOST pilot costs 20 Million," etc.) Adjusted for inflation, it's most likely TV's most expensive pilot.

I've seen this actress in other things, she's quite good. I have no idea what happened, here.

LEOs and military people train that command voice, the one that cuts through everything and tells people exactly what to do. Bujold, as fine an actress as she is, didn’t have it, and Kate Mulgrew did. Bujold’s Janeway was asking the crew to do things and Mulgrew was telling them.

So glad you watched this because Ooof, that was rough.

wow dodged an EARTHQUAKE with that one . (someone will get it)

My favorite Mulgrew story was after losing the role to Bujold, she and a friend went to the movies when it was announced the part was once again open. Apparently, her friend turned to her and said "You were born for this part,"

Bujold is a formidable actress. The difference is that Mulgrew was combat ready. Her voice is so commanding as a captain. You’ll discover that she has a multifaceted personality? Enjoys guys.

Bujold was not prepared for how TV shows are shot. She came from movies and theater, and couldn't handle the rigors of what was called for in TV. You don't have a day to work on a scene and figure it out with your character. I think there are interviews with Berman and Co. who all state they could tell by Day 1 that she was not going to work out.

Her performance emphasizes the technobabble in a not good way.

More emoting from Josh @3:30, than Miss Bujold in the entire clip.

She would have been great as a Vulcan character. There is almost no emotion in her line delivery.

In terms of similar things to react to, on the Generations blu-ray disc, there is a deleted scenes package, featuring four scenes with intros by Rick Berman, that runs a total of 32 minutes.

Susan Gibney, who played Dr. Leah Brahms, also got pretty close to playing Janeway.

Yep, looks like Mulgrew, Bob Picardo ad Tim Russ will all be there from Voyager.

Kate Mulgrew was the perfect choice, so getting her last-minute is on the same level as casting Viggo as Aragorn last-minute.

So weird that they cast a British actor to play Picard, a Frenchman, and then a French-Canadian actor (with a French accent) to play Janeway, which is not a French name at all. Bujold was (is) well-regarded and a big star in French cinema, but definitely miscast for this role.

When Nana Visitor heard about Voyager and Janeway, she had an... interesting suggestion! “I didn’t care how it would work. I cared that I felt like I could do it! I wanted to play both roles. And I thought there, you know, it’s just across the street. It’s a quick makeup change. I can do it. Separate all the scenes that she’s got for the week, put them on these days. Major Kira on others. It would have been a nightmare for them. Of course, for so many reasons, it made no sense. But when you’re passionate about something, sometimes you don’t make a lot of sense.”

It's crazy that they were so star struck at having an Oscar winner she didn't even have to audition.

There are other scenes including the scene with Tuvok in the ready room, it’s interesting how much was filmed.

“Captain theres a huge energy wave coming right at us!” “Oh well, c’est la vie”

The only movie I've ever seen her in is Coma. Good movie

Originally the character was called Nicole Janeway. she wasn't fired -- she was predominantly a movie actress and had never done a tv series before. The fast paced filming schedule was not to her liking and she quit after about three days. In later interviews, she also mentioned that the original conception of the character had been changed by the writers and some of the changes were not to her liking, which also contributed to her leaving.

Yeah she wasn't suited at all, very evidently.

I had no idea! Immediately obvious that she wasn’t up to the task. Seems like she’d be a fine officer, but there was zero urgency or command. Really makes me appreciate Kate Mulgrew even more. She can really command a room.

There's a better video from the DVD where Berman is talking about the scenes and there were a few more scenes.

Now we need a Janeway with Dead Spock shirt

Yeah, the first person on the callsheet sets the tone for the other actors and you can tell from this scene that everyone else is matching her energy and it just DRAGS the whole thing down. Thank fuck for Kate Mulgrew!

Great actor by accounts but wrong for the part.

the reason they recast was because the person quit. she had never done a tv show before, only film and hated the faster pace for filming for tv. after about 3 day she was like na this ain't for me and walked.

I don't even think the biggest Voyager haters will say that firing her for Mulgrew wasn't the completely correct choice. Mulgrew's very distinctive vocal fries give Janeway a lot of personality. Relistening back to this original actor she sounds like she's doing a Bernie Sanders impression.

Yeah nothing against the original actress but she just wasn’t suited to it. Kate Mulgrew has a command presence. You believe she is the Captain from her first scene.

Glad you guys dig Janeway. Never understood the hate.