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Star Trek: Prodigy’s Cancellation Means Voyager’s Sequel Might Never Happen

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It’s disappointing that the conclusion of Star Trek: Prodigy on Netflix signifies the end of a spiritual successor to Star Trek: Voyager. As a collaborative effort between Paramount+ and Nickelodeon, Star Trek: Prodigy was created to introduce the Star Trek universe to younger audiences while maintaining appeal for older fans through its ties to Star Trek: Voyager. The animated series’ setting in the Delta Quadrant allowed the main characters of Star Trek: Prodigy to be unfamiliar with Starfleet, enabling younger viewers to discover Star Trek’s galaxy alongside Dal R’El (Brett Gray), Gwyndala (Ella Purnell), and the rest of the USS Protostar crew.

It turns out that the series Star Trek: Prodigy, unfortunately, fell victim to the reduction in content on Paramount+ streaming platform for the Star Trek franchise. Contrary to expectations, Paramount+ chose not to stream the second season of Star Trek: Prodigy and promptly took down season 1 from their library. A passionate fan movement aimed at saving Star Trek: Prodigy resulted in Netflix acquiring the streaming rights for both seasons, with an option to produce a third. However, this success story didn’t last long. Despite the exceptional Rotten Tomatoes score of 100% for season 2 of Star Trek: Prodigy, Netflix has yet to commission a third season, and seasons 1 & 2 will be removed from Netflix after an 18-month period.

No Star Trek: Prodigy On Netflix Means The End Of Voyager’s Sequel

I’m Disappointed Other Voyager Characters Won’t Get the Prodigy Treatment

Without “Star Trek: Prodigy” on Netflix, we are missing out on the most satisfying continuation of Star Trek’s classic series, “Star Trek: Voyager.” Five years following the USS Voyager’s return home, “Star Trek: Prodigy” reconnected us with Admiral Kathryn Janeway (Kate Mulgrew), Captain Chakotay (Robert Beltran), and the Doctor (Robert Picardo). The USS Protostar, from which the story unfolds, was initially conceived in the aftermath of “Star Trek: Voyager,” as it was built to address issues left by the Voyager crew in the Delta Quadrant. Eventually, both the Protostar and Chakotay were swept away by the time currents in Star Trek’s timeline. The second season of “Prodigy” introduced us to the USS Voyager-A and a long-anticipated reunion between Janeway and Chakotay.

As a seasoned movie critic, I must say that Star Trek: Prodigy masterfully reimagines iconic characters like Admiral Janeway, the Doctor, and Chakotay as mentors, offering a fresh take on their stories. The development of Chakotay’s character, in particular, is nothing short of heartwarming and profound. However, I find myself yearning for more as the series seems to only scratch the surface of reinterpreting other Voyager characters such as Dal, Gwyn, Rok-Tahk (Rylee Alazraqui), Zero (Angus Imrie), Jankom Pog (Jason Mantzoukas), and Maj’el (Michaela Dietz). Even Neelix (Ethan Phillips) could have found redemption as a guide in the USS Prodigy’s mission through the Delta Quadrant, which was set up at the end of Star Trek: Prodigy season 2. Alas, it seems we may never uncover how these characters might be reimagined in this exciting new context.

The Doctor Will Represent Voyager In Star Trek: Starfleet Academy

Robert Picardo’s USS Voyager EMH Links The 24th and 32nd Centuries

Though Netflix has chosen not to continue with “Star Trek: Prodigy,” I’m pleased that the legacy of “Star Trek: Voyager” will live on through upcoming “Star Trek” series. Specifically, the tradition of USS Voyager is being carried forward by Robert Picardo’s character, the 800-year-old hologram Doctor, in “Star Trek: Starfleet Academy,” a spinoff from “Star Trek: Discovery” set in the 32nd century. It appears that in this new series, the Doctor is the original EMH (Emergency Medical Holography) from USS Voyager, and he will be educating the first batch of cadets at Starfleet Academy after a century has passed.

It might seem ironic, but it’s Star Trek: Prodigy that we can credit for having the Doctor become part of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy. The producer of Starfleet Academy, Alex Kurtzman, was directly influenced by Picardo’s performance in Star Trek: Prodigy as the “Emergency Mentorship Hologram.” This means that the Doctor’s growth from Prodigy won’t be entirely wasted. However, having only the Doctor return feels more like a compensation prize compared to what we might have seen in Star Trek: Prodigy season 3.

We Need Kate Mulgrew’s Star Trek: Janeway To Happen

A Star Trek Project About Janeway Could Be The Next Best Voyager Sequel

If we don’t see more of Star Trek: Prodigy, it seems that Kate Mulgrew may be working on a live-action return to the Star Trek universe, as she mentioned at the 2025 Star Trek Cruise that she was in discussions for a role. Since it’s unlikely Mulgrew would need further talks for her voice roles in Star Trek: Prodigy, this hints at a potential new Star Trek project featuring Admiral Janeway from Voyager, which could potentially bring the cast of Star Trek: Voyager back together for new adventures.

Currently, whispers about a live-action Star Trek production or movie featuring Kate Mulgrew’s Admiral Kathryn Janeway, set within the era of Star Trek: Picard, remain unsubstantiated. While Mulgrew is reportedly in discussions with Star Trek producers, these conversations could signify various possibilities. With Paramount+ scaling back on Star Trek content, I find it uncertain that we’ll see many new Star Trek projects for some time. In the meantime, Star Trek: Prodigy may not be forthcoming, but Star Trek: Janeway offers the most promising prospect for a genuine sequel to Star Trek: Voyager in contemporary Star Trek productions.

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2025-05-17 02:39

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