Erin Gray Almost Became ‘Star Trek’ Captain Janeway and Fans Wonder What Voyager Would Have Been Like

Before Kate Mulgrew took command of the USS Voyager, the search for the franchise’s first female captain was a tumultuous journey, with ‘Buck Rogers in the 25th Century’ star Erin Gray right in the thick of it. Now, decades later, Gray is sharing her experience of vying for one of science fiction’s most iconic roles.

Gray confirmed that she auditioned for the role of Captain Kathryn Janeway on ‘Star Trek: Voyager’ in 1995, a part that notably passed through two actresses before the series premiered. Her name is among a long list of notable actresses who sought the chance to lead a starship, and her recent remarks shed light on the competitive nature of that casting process.

Nearly fifteen years after ‘Buck Rogers in the 25th Century’ concluded, Gray found herself eager for the opportunity to captain a starship crew. Having portrayed Colonel Wilma Deering alongside Gil Gerard, she revealed in a recent interview that she had to actively advocate for her chance to audition for Janeway.

Gray admitted that she wasn’t particularly familiar with the ‘Star Trek’ franchise at the time, so her motivation wasn’t rooted in fandom. Instead, it stemmed from her experiences playing women who often supported male leads, even when those women held higher ranks.

In Janeway, Gray saw a rare opportunity for the time—a character who was central to the story rather than merely orbiting around it. This unique aspect is part of why she recalls fighting for the opportunity to audition.

Ultimately, the role was awarded to French actress Genevieve Bujold, who left during the pilot’s filming, paving the way for Kate Mulgrew to step into the role that would define her career.

Gray was not alone in her pursuit; the list of actresses considered for Janeway included Lindsay Wagner, Linda Hamilton, Joanna Cassidy, Susan Gibney, Nicola Bryant, Lynda Carter, Kate Jackson, Patty Duke, and Carolyn McCormick.

Susan Gibney reportedly came the closest to landing the role, having filmed test scenes in full uniform on the nearly finished Voyager bridge alongside other cast members. However, despite makeup efforts to age her appearance, Paramount felt she appeared too young to convincingly lead a starship and passed on her after Bujold’s exit. Karen Austin was also mentioned as a contender in a January 1995 Los Angeles Times article during the early casting stages.

The extensive list of candidates highlights the pressure Paramount faced to cast ‘Star Trek’s first female captain correctly, as the character was intended to be a groundbreaking addition to the franchise.

Bujold was the first actress cast for the role, but her departure was reportedly abrupt. After filming began on the pilot, it became evident that she wasn’t the right fit for the demands of a weekly series.

This left the production in a scramble, leading to Kate Mulgrew being brought back for the role that had already commenced filming. Mulgrew went on to lead ‘Star Trek: Voyager’ for its entire seven-season run, becoming one of the most iconic captains in the franchise’s history.

For Gray, the audition remains a significant memory, even though the part went to someone else. She connects the experience to her time on ‘Buck Rogers in the 25th Century,’ noting that her portrayal of Wilma Deering inspired real women to pursue military careers, a surprising outcome she never anticipated during filming.

Fans have long debated the possibility of Erin Gray as Janeway, with discussions frequently surfacing about how different ‘Voyager’ might have been with her at the helm instead of Mulgrew. Opinions in these forums are often sharply divided.

Some fans believe Gray would have infused a softer, more approachable energy into the role, while others argue that Mulgrew’s commanding presence was irreplaceable and essential for holding the crew together during their seven-year journey home. Neither side appears willing to concede their stance.

What remains undisputed is that the casting process was unusually dramatic for a franchise known for its stability, especially with a lead actress departing mid-production before the series even aired. This instability adds to the allure of alternate history discussions for long-time viewers.

With so many familiar names from ‘Buck Rogers,’ ‘Charlie’s Angels,’ and ‘The Terminator’ reportedly in the running for Janeway, would you have preferred Erin Gray commanding the USS Voyager instead of Kate Mulgrew?