The Cast of Star Trek Voyager – Then and Now

The Star Trek Voyager is the fifth series and fourth sequel to Star Trek: The Original Series. It originally aired on the then United Paramount Network (UPN) from January 1995 to May 2001 and lasted 172 episodes spanning over seven seasons.

The pilot episode, Caretaker, was actually shot in September 1994, meaning the cast had worked together on set for more than six years, making them almost family.

The series was a big hit as it introduced new ideas to the franchise, like the first female captain of a Starfleet vessel, new alien species, and the use of CGI technology for the first time on Star Trek, which rendered better space shots.

The show’s success meant the cast also became household names, and it was a defining period in their careers.

Because we (Trekkies) were stranded right there with them in the uncharted Delta Quadrant, 70,000 light-years away from the Earth, we became invested in their lives as well. We were together for an entire seven seasons, trying to find the way back to Earth through seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Therefore, it should not be a surprise that we have been keeping up with them beyond Star Trek: Voyager. Here is what they have been up to.

Sharing the Journey: Fan Conventions and Podcasts

While the Voyager adventure may have ended on screen, many cast members have found new ways to remain connected to the Trek universe—and to us, the fans. Some have become beloved staples at sci-fi conventions, mingling with the devoted, sharing behind-the-scenes tales, and, in some cases, even taking on hosting duties for panels. Garrett Wang, for instance, discovered a knack for moderating fan convention panels and has become a familiar face at events around the globe, bringing his trademark humor and energy to the convention circuit.

But the Voyager crew’s engagement doesn’t end there. Reuniting beyond the transporter room, Wang and Robert Duncan McNeill launched a weekly podcast, The Delta Flyers, during the pandemic. Each week, they revisit an episode of Voyager, reminisce about their experiences on set, and offer stories fans won’t find in any stardate log. It’s become a must-listen for anyone eager to relive the journey through the eyes of those who took it firsthand.

Star Trek Fan Projects Featuring the Voyager Crew

Our intrepid Voyager crew couldn’t resist continuing their journeys across the final frontier—this time, in the thriving universe of Star Trek fan productions. Several cast members lent their talents and star power to these creative endeavors, delighting fans new and old.

• Star Trek: Of Gods and Men
  This ambitious fan film brought together a true Delta Quadrant reunion. Tim Russ (Tuvok) took the director’s chair and appeared on screen, joined by fellow crew-mates Garrett Wang (Harry Kim) and Ethan Phillips (Neelix). Robert Picardo (The Doctor) also made his mark in related projects, proving the Voyager spirit is hard to keep planetside.
• Star Trek: Renegades
  Voyager alumni carved out significant roles in this high-profile fan series. Tim Russ returned both as director and actor, with Robert Beltran (Chakotay) and Robert Picardo stepping aboard yet again. Their involvement not only adds nostalgia but also cements these projects as must-sees for loyal Starfleet fans.
• Star Trek: New Voyages/Phase II
  Tim Russ continued his Vulcan journey by appearing in episodes of this well-known fan continuation of the original series, bridging even more connections between classic Trek and the Voyager era.

You’ll also spot many cast members at Star Trek conventions worldwide—occasionally reuniting on panels or behind-the-scenes podcasts to discuss their adventures and ongoing passion for Trek storytelling. For us die-hard Trekkies, these fan creations feel like bonus episodes—a chance to boldly go with the Voyager family once more.

Katherine Kiernan Maria Mulgrew (Kate Mulgrew)

She played Captain Kathryn Janeway, Commander of the USS Voyager. The first-ever female captain to be featured in a Star Trek series and the lead character.

Career

During the Voyager filming, Kate was also featured in animations like Aladdin as Queen Hippsodeth’s voice and Gargoyles as Titania. She has been cast in several other animations since Stretch Armstrong and the Flex Fighters, Infinity Train, and other cameo roles. She has also done voice-overs for a host of video games, Star Trek-related and otherwise.

Her television presence is also flourishing as she has been cast in some highly-rated shows like Mr. Mercedes, Warehouse 13, Mercy, The Black Donnelly’s, and Orange Is the New Black. She won the Critics’ Choice Television Award for the Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series in 2014 for her role as Galina Red Reznikov in Orange Is the New Black. The same year she was nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series in the Primetime Emmy Awards for the same role.

Since then, she has also featured in a number of movies, documentaries, short films, and Broadway productions.

She is still involved in expanding the Star Trek franchise and has been cast in the upcoming animated series Star Trek: Prodigy, currently in production for Nickelodeon. Kate continues to embrace her iconic role as Captain Janeway, bringing her leadership to a new generation of fans. Even years after Voyager, her presence in the Star Trek universe remains strong, solidifying her place as a beloved figure among Trekkies and sci-fi enthusiasts alike.

Personal Life

Kate was finalizing her divorce with Robert Egan, with whom they had two children when the Voyager was first airing in 1995. She was still searching for the daughter she had placed for adoption earlier in her career as a single terrified actor. She got married to Tim Hagan in 1996, but they later divorced in 2014. She reconnected with the daughter she had placed for adoption in 2001.

Robert Adame Beltran

He played Commander Chakotay, the Native American First Officer of the USS Voyager. He reluctantly assumes the position after his crew of Maquis rebels is forced to join forces with the USS Voyager when they are both stranded in the Delta Quadrant.

Career

Robert won the Outstanding Actor in a Television Series at the Nosotros Golden Eagle Awards in 1997 after getting nominated for Outstanding Television Series Actor in a Crossover Role at the NCLR Bravo Awards the previous year.

Beltran would get nominated again in 1998 and 1999 at the same awards, now renamed the American Latino Media Arts (ALMA) Awards for the same role in the category Outstanding Individual Performance in a Television Series in a Crossover Role.

Playing Chakotay remains his most celebrated television presence, although he has made cameo appearances in many TV series, films, and documentaries since then. He has appeared in a few movies and is also featured in Star Trek Voyager’s game: Elite Force.

Personal Life

Robert lives in Los Angeles and is a big supporter of the National Down Syndrome Society. He even hosts an annual Galaxy Ball as a fundraiser for the Down’s Syndrome Association of Los Angeles to connect those afflicted with the condition and their families with resources and support systems. He says he is driven to do something because his youngest sibling has down syndrome and knows what the children go through without professional help.

Roxann Dawson

She was Lieutenant B’Elanna Torres, the Klingon-Human hybrid who got to be Chief Engineer of the USS Voyager after the unplanned merger of Voyager and Val Jean crews in the Delta Quadrant. She remains relevant throughout the series for many reasons, the least of which is her long courtship with Lieutenant Junior Grade Thomas Eugene Paris, which leads to marriage and their daughter Miral Paris’s birth.

Career

Dawson got to direct two episodes of the Star Trek: Voyager while still a part of the cast: Riddles and Workforce, then went on to direct 10 episodes of Star Trek: Enterprise. This means she was already a director and an actor while shooting the Voyager.

She won an ALMA Award in 2001 for Outstanding Achievement in a Television Series for her role in the Star Trek Voyager after being consistently nominated in different categories in 1996, 1998, 1999, and 2000. She was also involved in other award-winning during this period, like the Foto Novelas, which took ALMA Awards in 1998 for Outstanding Latino Casts.

She has since focused on directing several episodes from a host of TV shows, documentaries, and films under her belt. In 2008 she was nominated in 3 separate awards, the ALMA, Hugo, and NAACP Image Awards, for her directed episodes in Heroes.

Personal Life

Dawson has two adopted daughters, Emma and Mia (who was adopted from China), from her marriage to Casey Biggs before the voyage. She is currently married to casting director Eric Dawson.

Robert Duncan McNeill

He played Thomas Eugene Paris, a disgraced pilot from a renowned family who gets a chance to redeem himself when assigned to spy on the Marquis rebels. He will proceed to be the helm engineer and supporting medic of the USS Voyager.

Career

After the Star Trek Voyager, he has featured in the Voyager video game ‘Elite Force’ and Star Trek Online. He has also acted in a couple of episodes in TV shows. He focused on directing and producing and has quite a number of films and TV shows to his credit. Most notable is the series Chuck which he was involved in all 73 episodes.

Personal Life

Robert lives in Los Angeles and has three children, Taylor McNeill, Kyle McNeill, and Carter Jay McNeill.

Jeri Ryan – Seven of Nine

After her standout role as Seven of Nine on Voyager, Jeri Ryan built an impressive television career, taking on a variety of significant roles. She played key parts in popular series such as Boston Public and appeared in hit dramas including Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, The O.C., Leverage, and Bosch. Beyond guest appearances and recurring characters, Ryan also held starring roles in several shows—for example, she headlined Shark and Body of Proof. Most recently, she reprised her iconic Star Trek character as a main cast member in Star Trek: Picard, bringing Seven of Nine’s story into a new era for devoted fans.

Garrett Wang

He is best known as Ensign Harry Kim, the fresh-faced officer who manned Voyager’s ops console and survived just about every anomaly the Delta Quadrant could throw at him.

Career

Since Star Trek: Voyager wrapped, Garrett Wang has continued to stay close to the ever-expanding Star Trek universe. He became a familiar figure at Star Trek conventions—first as a guest, then as a popular moderator, using his quick wit and insider stories to guide fan panels and engage audiences starting in 2010.

His connection to Star Trek didn’t stop there. Wang starred alongside Tim Russ (Tuvok) in the fan production Of Gods and Men, a film that quickly became a cult favorite among Trek fans. He also lent his voice talents to Star Trek Online, where his character Harry Kim is featured in a range of in-game missions.

A significant recent creation was launched in 2020, when Wang teamed up with Robert Duncan McNeill (Tom Paris) to start The Delta Flyers podcast. Each week, the duo dives into an episode of Voyager, reminiscing about their on-set adventures, behind-the-scenes details, and what it was like to bring their characters to life.

Personal Life

Wang continues to advocate for Asian representation in science fiction and supports numerous fan-driven projects through appearances and community involvement.

Ethan Phillips

Ethan Phillips charmed fans as Neelix, Voyager’s ever-optimistic Talaxian chef and self-appointed “morale officer,” and has remained equally busy since the end of the series.

Career

Following his run on Star Trek: Voyager, Phillips built a substantial résumé with appearances in a wide range of television shows. His guest spots and recurring roles include memorable turns in acclaimed series like Touched by an Angel, 8 Simple Rules, JAG, Arrested Development, Criminal Minds, Boston Legal, Bones, True Blood, Castle, The Mentalist, Chuck, Veep, The Good Wife, and Better Call Saul. He also enjoyed recurring roles as Keith on Girls, Michael Schiller on Boston Legal, and Spike Martin on Avenue 5.

Phillips has also kept active in film, earning notable credits in movies such as Bad Santa, The Island, Inside Llewyn Davis, and The Purge: Election Year. He reunited with some of his Star Trek colleagues in the well-received fan film, Of Gods and Men.

Personal Life

Though Phillips keeps much of his private life out of the spotlight, he continues to act in television, film, and stage productions. Fans still encounter Neelix at conventions, where Phillips is a regular attendee, often sharing behind-the-scenes anecdotes and enthusiastically connecting with Star Trek’s enduring audience.

Robert Picardo: Still a Trek Family Fixture

Robert Picardo, who brought The Doctor to life with all the wit and charm you’d expect from an Emergency Medical Hologram stranded in the Delta Quadrant, has kept his roots firmly in the Star Trek universe. After Voyager, he didn’t just pack away his mobile emitter—he returned to team up with fellow Trek alumni Tim Russ and Robert Beltran in “Star Trek: Renegades,” an independent project that delighted longtime fans with familiar faces and new stories.

His loyalty to Trek isn’t where his journey ends, either. Picardo popped up in “The Orville,” a sci-fi comedy-drama that draws inspiration from classic Star Trek themes (and sometimes feels like an affectionate nod to the series). Through these roles, he’s remained a treasured part of the greater Star Trek community, appearing at conventions and continuing to champion the spirit of exploration and camaraderie that made Voyager so special.

Tim Russ

He brought life to Tuvok, the stoic Vulcan tactical officer whose calm logic anchored the USS Voyager’s bridge—making a mark as one of the only Black Vulcans in the Star Trek universe and a memorable presence on any Trek fan’s bridge crew.

Career

After the close of Voyager’s adventures, Tim Russ navigated a path that blended both acting and directing. As with many of his castmates, he seamlessly transitioned between the worlds of television and film, taking on small roles in popular shows like ER, NCIS, How to Get Away With Murder, CSI: Miami, Suits, and even Hannah Montana and Supergirl. These appearances kept his Vulcan calm—and sharp sense of timing—visible to viewers long after the starship’s final log entry.

Not content to merely act, Russ also channeled his energy into directing. He built up an impressive résumé behind the camera, stepping into the director’s chair for a number of independent films and fan-led Star Trek projects. Star Trek fans may spot his involvement in productions such as Star Trek: Of Gods and Men, Star Trek: New Voyages – Phase II, and Star Trek: Renegades, where he not only directed but sometimes reprised his iconic role.

Always orbiting the galaxy of Star Trek, Russ also made a tongue-in-cheek cameo in The Orville, bringing a characteristic wink-and-nod to Trek-inspired comedy.

Today, Tim Russ remains active in Hollywood, with several film projects in the pipeline as both actor and director. If you’re scanning the credits of upcoming releases, don’t be surprised if you catch a familiar Vulcan name—whether he’s appearing on screen or calling the shots behind it.