Unveiling the Captivating Star Trek: Voyager Cast & Characters

Star Trek: Voyager, the fifth official series in the franchise, introduced viewers to a fresh Starship and its brave crew. Departing from the stationary setting of the preceding series, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Voyager propelled the ship into an uncharted region of the galaxy. Led by Captain Kathryn Janeway, played by Kate Mulgrew, the USS Voyager faced numerous encounters with unknown life forms and bizarre worlds while striving to return home. Alongside Captain Janeway, the show introduced several new characters who have since made appearances in current Star Trek shows.

The series commenced with Captain Janeway's mission to locate the missing Maquis ship called the Val Jean, where her undercover colleague and friend Tuvok, portrayed by Tim Russ, served. After discovering the Maquis ship, both vessels were thrust across the galaxy, spanning 70,000 light-years, from the Alpha Quadrant to the Delta Quadrant, by a dying entity known as the Caretaker. Throughout the seven seasons of Star Trek: Voyager, Captain Janeway and her crew encountered both familiar and previously undiscovered alien species on their voyage through the unexplored Delta Quadrant, seeking a way back home.

10 Kate Mulgrew as Captain Kathryn Janeway

The character Kathryn Janeway, portrayed by Kate Mulgrew, served as the Captain of the USS Voyager and holds the distinction of being the first female Captain to lead a Star Trek show. Throughout her tenure, Janeway actively engaged in establishing initial contact with numerous alien species within the Delta Quadrant and eventually rose to the rank of Admiral within Starfleet. In addition to the challenges posed by navigating the unfamiliar expanse of the Delta Quadrant, Janeway also faced the task of integrating a crew of both Starfleet officers and Maquis rebels. Nonetheless, she demonstrated exceptional leadership, successfully merging the two factions and upholding the esteemed principles of Starfleet, even in the face of being stranded 70,000 light-years away from home.

9 Robert Beltran as Commander Chakotay

Chakotay, played by Robert Beltran, served as the Captain of the Val Jean and later became the First Officer of the USS Voyager. A former Starfleet officer who joined the Maquis, Chakotay played a crucial role in bridging the gap between the Starfleet crew and the former Maquis members on board Voyager. Dedicated to the ship and its Captain, Janeway, Chakotay's character was of Native American heritage, with a profound connection to his tribe's spirituality. He possessed a strong sense of justice and occasionally challenged Janeway's decisions, especially if he felt she was placing her own life at undue risk.

8 Tim Russ as Lieutenant Tuvok

7 Roxann Biggs-Dawson as Lieutenant B'Elanna Torres

Lt. Tuvok fulfilled the dual role of Chief Security and Tactical Officer and Second in Command aboard Voyager. He initially operated undercover amidst the Maquis on the Val Jean before being swiftly reinstated as a security officer when both ships found themselves unexpectedly transported to the Delta Quadrant. Valuing logic and reason as a Vulcan does, Tuvok became an invaluable source of advice and guidance for Janeway. Having shared previous experiences with Janeway, their friendship grew stronger during their time together on Voyager. While embodying Vulcan stoicism, Tuvok's sharp wit often manifested itself through caustic sarcastic remarks, suggesting a depth of emotion beneath the surface.

Having started off at Starfleet Academy, B'Elanna Torres (portrayed by Roxann Dawson) ultimately decided to abandon her studies and align herself with the Maquis. Being of both Klingon and human descent, B'Elanna grappled with her temper and frequently succumbed to outbursts, which played a part in her choice to join the rebels. Throughout their time together in the Maquis, B'Elanna and Chakotay developed a friendship, with Chakotay assisting her in addressing her issues with anger. Upon joining the crew of Voyager, B'Elanna assumed the role of Chief Engineer once she successfully saved the ship from a threatening quantum singularity. As the series progressed, B'Elanna found herself in a romantic relationship with pilot Tom Paris (played by Robert Duncan McNeill), and the two tied the knot early in the seventh season.

6 Robert Duncan-McNeill as Lieutenant Tom Paris

The helmsman of the USS Voyager, Tom Paris, faced expulsion from Starfleet and imprisonment until Janeway approached him with an offer to join her crew. Janeway, having served under Tom's father, Admiral Owen Paris, felt compelled to help him turn his life around. Tom's less-than-sterling reputation made it challenging for his fellow Voyager crew members to trust him initially. However, over time, he formed a close friendship with Ensign Harry Kim (Garrett Wang) and entered into a romantic relationship with B'Elanna Torres. Tom's particular fascination with American culture from the 20th century led him to create a holodeck program called The Adventures of Captain Proton, inspired by science fiction serials from the 1930s.

5 Robert Picardo as The Doctor

Following the demise of Voyager's initial Doctor upon the ship's entry into the Delta Quadrant, the ship's Chief Medical Officer role was assumed by the Emergency Medical Hologram (EMH) known as The Doctor (Robert Picardo). In the third season of Star Trek: Voyager, during the "Future's End" two-part episode, The Doctor obtained a cutting-edge mobile emitter that granted him the ability to freely move throughout Voyager and partake in away missions. As a holographic being, The Doctor's rights were occasionally questioned, much like the android Data (Brent Spiner) from Star Trek: The Next Generation. The Doctor's increasing exposure to active duty resulted in the acquisition of more human-like characteristics, leading his fellow crewmembers on Voyager to fiercely defend his sentience whenever doubts were cast upon it.

4 Garrett Wang as Ensign Harry Kim

Eternal Ensign Harry Kim (Garrett Wang) was a recent graduate of Starfleet Academy when Voyager was unexpectedly transported across the galaxy, marking his first deep space mission. Throughout his tenure on the ship, Harry forged a close friendship with Tom Paris, and the duo frequently embarked on thrilling escapades within the holodeck. Although Harry initially displayed traces of naivety and enthusiasm upon joining Voyager's crew, his exceptional intelligence and status as valedictorian of his Academy class shone through. His long-standing desire to be a part of Starfleet led him to specifically request Voyager as his inaugural assignment.

3 Ethan Phillips as Neelix

Upon Voyager's entry into the Delta Quadrant, they came across a Talaxian individual called Neelix (Ethan Phillips), who was located close to the Collector and the Ocampa homeworld. Neelix facilitated their exploration of the subterranean Ocampan metropolis, where Harry Kim and B'Elanna Torres were being held captive. In addition, Neelix, accompanied by Kes (Jennifer Lien), an Ocampan lady and his romantic partner, successfully orchestrated their rescue with the assistance of the Voyager crew. Consequently, Neelix and Kes elected to join the Voyager crew, with Neelix offering his services as a guide throughout their venture in the Delta Quadrant. Beyond assuming the role of Voyager's chef, Neelix proudly assumed the title of "chief morale officer," a designation of his own creation. Although Neelix did not enjoy widespread popularity among fans, his character's development notably improved following Kes' departure from the series.

2 Jeri Ryan as Seven of Nine

Assimilated at the age of six, when she was still known as Annika Hansen, Jeri Ryan's character Seven of Nine joined the crew of Voyager during its fourth season after being disconnected from the Borg collective. Following their introduction in Star Trek: The Next Generation, the Borg emerged as one of the Federation's most formidable adversaries, and Seven became the first former Borg drone to become part of a Federation Starship crew. Although it took some time for Seven to adjust to her newfound humanity, Captain Janeway served as her mentor during this process. Leveraging her extensive knowledge of the Borg and their technology, Seven constructed an astrometrics lab on Voyager, making vital contributions to the ship's journey back to the Alpha Quadrant. Over time, Seven became a beloved character among fans, with Jeri Ryan later reprising her role as Seven in Star Trek: Picard.

1 Jennifer Lien as Kes

Kes, a member of the Ocampan species, possessed a remarkably short life span, lasting only eight or nine years. She also possessed a natural telepathic ability. After being rescued with the help of Neelix, Kes opted to join Voyager's crew. Soon after, she embarked on a journey of medical studies with The Doctor. Developing a deep friendship, Kes advocated for better treatment of The Doctor by the crew. Additionally, she collaborated with Tuvok to refine her telepathic skills. Initially involved in a romantic relationship with Neelix at the beginning of the series, their bond eventually dissolved in season three. In season four, Kes departed Voyager due to her exponentially growing psychic powers, although she made a brief return in one episode of season six. Kes, along with the rest of the USS Voyager's crew, introduced a host of captivating characters to the Star Trek universe.