Star Trek: Voyager premiered in January 1995 as the flagship for the nascent United Paramount Network. The network didn't survive, but the show completed seven lively seasons and 172 episodes, joining the ranks of other classic Star Trek series of the era. The show trapped its crew in the Delta Quadrant: decades from the nearest Starfleet outpost, they were left to find a way home. It was intended to return to The Original Series' loose idea of a starship left to its own devices deep in unexplored space.
Today, Voyager is noted for taking big creative risks, resulting in both classic and risible episodes. But through it all, the sterling cast and unique characters always provided a strong reason to tune in. Below is a breakdown of the ten main members of the Voyager's crew.
Kate Mulgrew as Captain Kathryn Janeway
Janeway is notable for being Star Trek's first female lead: a no-nonsense leader willing to make hard choices to keep her people safe. With her ship stranded far from home, she places the crew above all other considerations, often finding bold, unorthodox methods to get them out of trouble. After successfully returning to Earth in the series finale, she's promoted to the rank of admiral, which she holds when she returns to the franchise in Star Trek: Prodigy.
Kate Mulgrew cut her teeth on the soap opera Ryan's Hope, the short-lived Mrs. Columbo series, and a bevy of made-for-TV movies. She stole the show in Danny De Vito's Throw Momma from the Train as Billy Crystal's scheming ex-wife and made a prominent appearance in the cult classic Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins. She has continued to work steadily in television since her stint on Voyager, most notably as one of the leads in Orange Is The New Black, for which she received an Emmy nomination in 2014.
Robert Beltran as Lieutenant Commander Chakotay
Chakotay begins Voyager as a member of the Maquis, a terrorist organization in conflict with Starfleet, shortly before the Dominion War. His ship is thrown to the far side of the galaxy along with Voyager's, forcing his crew to integrate with Starfleet to survive. He becomes Janeway's second in command: quick to support her actions and ultimately evolving into a stalwart officer. He's notable for his Native American ancestry – a first for a Star Trek lead character – and returns to the franchise as a captain in his own right in the animated series Star Trek: Prodigy.
Besides Voyager, actor Robert Beltran is best known for the 80s cult movies Eating Raoul and Night of the Comet. He also appeared in Barry Levinson's Bugsy, Oliver Stone's Nixon, and many guest roles on television series throughout the 80s and 90s. Like many Star Trek actors, he has a prominent history in the theater as well, with an emphasis on Shakespearean productions.
Robert Picardo as The Doctor
The Doctor is a singular character in the Star Trek franchise: a living hologram created out of necessity after Voyager's chief medical officer is killed in the series premiere. Originally intended as a short-term stop-gap, the "Emergency Medical Hologram" soon grows beyond his programming into a full-fledged crew member. He's often played for comic relief, with a snippy bedside manner and difficulty understanding the nuance of human emotions. Despite that, his unique capabilities and stalwart loyalty make him one of Voyager's most popular characters.
Picardo has enjoyed a long and successful career both before and after Star Trek: Voyager. His IMDB page lists a staggering 250 credits as an actor – including multiple upcoming projects – that speaks to his versatility and range. Outside Star Trek, he's probably best known for his long association with celebrated director Joe Dante, with prominent roles in The Howling, Small Soldiers, and Matinee.
Jeri Ryan as Seven of Nine
Star Trek: Voyager explores the Borg in more detail than any other series, as Janeway's crew must pass through the heart of their territory. That leads to the arrival of Seven of Nine onboard: a former Borg drone disconnected from the collective and returning with the crew to the Alpha Quadrant. She initially struggles to shed her cybernetic chilliness and adapt to life onboard. She eventually finds acceptance, thanks partly to her friendship with The Doctor and Janeway's dogged efforts to connect with her human side.
Like many Star Trek actors, Jeri Ryan found steady work guest starring on television series in the 1980s and 1990s before becoming famous as Seven. After Star Trek: Voyager, she starred in the final three seasons of Boston Public and appeared in the James Woods legal drama Shark. Her return to the franchise in Star Trek: Picard has been cause for celebration among fans, many of whom are actively lobbying for further Seven of Nine stories.
Tim Russ as Lieutenant Commander Tuvok
Tuvok opens Voyager as a Federation mole inside Chakotay's Maquis crew. Once the ruse drops, he becomes the Voyager's chief of security and top tactical officer, serving as Janeway's trusted advisor during their long journey home. Tuvok is notable for being the first Vulcan to appear as a series regular since Leonard Nimoy's legendary run as Mr. Spock. He's different from his predecessor in many ways – moodier and more introspective – while never being less than logical.
Tim Russ guested on several TV series before playing Tuvok, including several appearances as different characters on Star Trek: The Next Generation. He continues to work on television to this day. Notable roles include Principal Ted Franklin in iCarly and Frank the Doorman in Samantha Who? and one-off appearances in American Horror Story and Poker Face. He returns as Tuvok – now promoted to captain – in the third season of Star Trek: Picard.
Roxann Dawson as B'Elanna Torres
B'Elanna is a Maquis engineer who takes over the spot on Voyager when her crew transfers to the Federation ship. She's half-Klingon, with an ambivalent attitude about her heritage and trouble controlling her temper. She runs the engineering department with little concern for protocol or even safety at times, pushing Voyager's capabilities further in the process. She and Tom Paris fall in love, and she eventually becomes the mother of his child.
Roxann Dawson had minor appearances on various television shows before landing the role of Torres. Like many other franchise alum, she parlayed her experiences on Voyager into a career behind the camera: directing numerous episodes of Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Under the Dome and Bates Motel, among others. She remains active in that capacity as of this writing.
Robert Duncan McNeill as Tom Paris
Paris is the Voyager's helmsman, the first franchise character to hold the position permanently since Mr. Sulu in The Original Series. The son of a prominent Admiral was drummed out of Starfleet and later joined the Maquis, only to be caught and sentenced to prison, where Janeway finds him in the series premiere. He's released to help her hunt down his former compatriots, then becomes Voyager's pilot throughout its journey through the Delta Quadrant. His is a redemption story, as he goes from bitter washout to valued and respected crew member. He and Torres fall in love during the events of Voyager, and the series ends with the birth of their child.
Robert Duncan McNeill is known among Star Trek fans for playing Cadet Nicholas Locarno in The Next Generation: a one-shot character almost identical to Tom Paris, who never appears again. That came atop a number of TV and movie appearances before Voyager, most notably the cult classic Masters of the Universe starring Dolph Lundgren. He used his experience on Star Trek to springboard into a director's career, and has amassed a prolific resume behind the camera since. He remains active as of this writing, and returned to the role of Paris in the animated Star Trek: Lower Decks.
Garrett Wang as Ensign Harry Kim
Harry Kim is Starfleet's perennial ensign: a top-flight Starfleet cadet assigned to Voyager just before it was lost in the Delta quadrant. He serves as the ship's chief of operations during its journey home, remaining a stalwart member of the bridge despite his low rank. He's dependable and intelligent, with a love for the clarinet and a firm grounding in several scientific fields. He's also a little unsure of himself, at least in the beginning. He and Tom Paris quickly become friends on their long trip home.
Garrett Wang had only been acting a short time when he was cast as Kim, previously appearing in just a single episode of All American Girl. He has worked sporadically since then, and appears regularly at Star Trek conventions and expos. He co-hosts a podcast with fellow Voyager alum Robert Duncan McNeill called The Delta Flyers.
Ethan Philips as Neelix
Neelix is a Talaxian trader, native to the Delta Quadrant, who finds himself onboard Voyager and opts to stay. He serves as a guide to the region for the Voyager crew and the ship's cook, morale officer, and general jack of all trades. He's gregarious and friendly, with an eccentric sense of humor and an eagerness to please. He stays behind in the Delta Quadrant when the Voyager completes its mission to return home.
Neelix was played by veteran actor Ethan Phillips, who boasts many supporting roles in film and television. Prominent appearances include Glory, Critters, and Lean on Me on the big screen, though TV fans know him best as sensitive press secretary Pete Downey on Benson. He's still active as of this writing, with regular guest appearances on numerous TV shows.
Jennifer Lien as Kes
When the series begins, Kas is Neelix's lover and a native of the Delta Quadrant. Her species, the Ocampans, age much more quickly than most humanoids, growing old and dying after just a handful of years. She serves as the ship's botanist and medical assistant to The Doctor and displays mild telepathic abilities. She departs the series midway through Season 4 – effectively giving way to Seven of Nine – though she returns in Season 6 to give her character closure.
Jennifer Lien's career began promisingly, with a recurring role in the TV series Phenom and a part in the animated Men in Black series after departing Voyager. She also had a prominent role in American History X alongside fellow Star Trek alum Avery Brooks. She was let go from Star Trek after mental health issues began to affect her performance. She has since retired from acting and remained largely out of the public eye.